and more engrossing at every step," observes Mr. Cliffe, "in ascending this valley (Nant Ffrancon), one of the gates of Snowdonia. The waters that descend from the east side of Carnedd Davyd are expanded at its southern base into a long dark lake named Llyn Ogwen, at one end of which the great road-in Pennant's day 'the most dreadful horse-path in Wales'—is carried over the infant Ogwen, a giant in strength at its birth, at a point where the vale turns abruptly at the Pass of Benglog. You ascend for three miles up the magnificent terrace-road which skirts Carnedd Davyd, on the lofty slope of which is a chaotic mass of rocks, which contrast finely with the slaty smoothness and grassy verdure of Llyder Vawr, on the opposite or west side. The Ogwen runs below in the narrow peaty bottom of Nant Ffrancon, the 'Hollow of Beavers.' How solitary must it have been when these sagacious creatures existed there! Even now the scene wears an aspect of solitude and solemnity, which deeply impresses the traveller. You can only form a most imperfect idea of the true character of this glen if you behold it when the sun is in its strength and glory. When tempests brood over it, when driving mists sail or eddy along the hills, the majesty of nature is felt here. The colours of this savage region on a dark threatening day are wonderfully fine. The Falls of Benglog, at the Pass, where the river Ogwen is bridged on the great road, to be rightly estimated, must be seen from below; but it is no easy matter to get down its wild slopes. Llyn Ogwen, a beautiful lake, lies just beyond, between two lofty mountains, Braich der (the black arm), and Trifaen, the latter of which is the principal mountain at the head of the vale, and has three summits." Mr. Roscoe visited this wild locality at the close of summer. "Situated," he says, "in the very gorge of the craggy and beetling heights, and now restlessly heaving under the gusty winds of autumn, which came whistling through the mountain hollows, the aspect of this lake (Llyn Ogwen), with the sweeping falls of the Benglog, had a thoroughly wild and sombre appearance, and produced a corresponding feeling in the mind. It was a combination of the picturesque and terrible, not unsuited, in its sternest mood, to the genius of Salvator. Had the foot of Wilson penetrated these grand recesses of Caernarvon hills, the noble taste of that enthusiast of nature must have seized some of its striking features. Here darkly rushed the river of the lake; and there the antique

bridge, the wooded abyss, the picturesque coloured rocks, and the Trifaen, with its giant semblance of the human features; and through the terrific chasm below, the Ogwen pouring in three foaming cataracts, down heights of above a hundred feet, into the green spreading meadows below."

From Bangor the tourist may conveniently take other excursions in the neighbourhood, from all of which he will derive both pleasure and instruction. Amongst these agreeable rambles will of course be included one to the Britannia and Menai Bridges; a visit to Beaumaris, which may be made acrosss Garth Ferry (fare 2d.), round by the Menai Bridge, or by steam-boat. Amongst the neighbouring seats to which visits also may be made are Plas Newydd, the residence of the Marquis of Anglesey; Baron Hill, the princely domain of Sir R. W. Bulkeley; Bryntirion, and Vaenol, the latter the beautiful mansion of Thomas Assheton Smith, Esq. Near to Vaenol is the ancient British fortification called Dinas Dinorwig, covering a vast area, with three ramparts, enclosing a circle of stones, "the post, probably, of the commander-in-chief." Adjacent is Llys Dinorwig, formerly a palace of Llywelyn ab Grufydd, now converted into a farm-house.

THE MENAI SUSPENSION BRIDGE,

As a noble specimen of engineering and architectural skill, claims more than a passing notice. Before Stephenson's unrivalled bridge was constructed, Telford's great achievement was the theme of unbounded admiration and praise. Looking at it for the first time, Mr. Roscoe says:-"Before us rose that majestic bridge, the wonder of the world and the triumph of human art, which has attracted men of all climes to look upon its enchantment;" and another writer, equally enthusiastic, remarks:-"There is so much magnificence, beauty, and elegance in this grand work of art, that it harmonises and accords perfectly with the natural scenery around; and though itself an object of admiration, still in connexion it heightens the effect of the general view." Unquestionably the Menai Suspension Bridge is a monument of Telford's genius that will bear down his name with honour to posterity. In the years 1810-11, several plans of bridges were laid by Mr. Telford before the House of Commons, to effect a

regular and unobstructed passage across the Menai Straits. The inconvenience and numerous fatal accidents continually arising from crossing the water by means of ferry-boats had long engaged public attention, and were now becoming matters of too serious a nature to be much longer overlooked. The subject frequently occupied the attention of Parliament, but nothing effectual was done till 1818, when Mr. Telford laid before a Committee of the House of Commons a new design of an iron suspension bridge, which was fully approved of. It was to consist of one opening, of 560 feet, between the points of suspension; in addition to which there were to be seven arches, four on the coast of Anglesey and three on that of Caernarvonshire, each 50 feet in the span, making the total length of the bridge 910 feet. The height above the level of the high-water line was to be 160 feet. "The roadway," observes Mr. Telford in his report, "will embrace two carriage-ways, each 12 feet in breadth, with a footpath of 4 feet between them. The whole is to be suspended from four lines of strong iron cables, by perpendicular iron rods, placed five feet apart, and these rods will support the roadway framing. The suspending power is calculated at 2016 tons, and the weight to be suspended, exclusive of the cables, is 342 tons, leaving a disposable power of 1674 tons. The four sides of the roadways will be made of framed ironwork, firmly bound together for seven feet in height, and there will be a similar work for five feet in depth below the cables. The weight of the whole bridge, between the points of suspension, will be 489 tons. The abutments will consist of the masonry work, comprising the extreme stonework, the two piers, and the seven arches before mentioned; each of the two piers will be 60 feet by 40 wide at high-water mark, having a foundation of rock. Upon the summit of the two main piers will be erected a frame of cast-iron work, of a pyramidal form, for the purpose of raising the cables, from which the bridge is to be suspended." The probable cost of erecting this stupendous structure Mr. Telford estimated at sixty, or, allowing for any unforeseen charges, at most seventy thousand pounds, about half the calculated expense of a cast-iron bridge on the old plan. The spot chosen for its site was Ynys y Môch, a little to the westward of Bangor Ferry, which had been fixed upon for the work first proposed, and where the opposite shores seemed to offer every advantage