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to attempt the enterprize alone. A pool, called Llyn-y-Gader, about a mile and a half on the high-road to Towyn, may be taken as the commencement of the ascent, and after gradually winding up the steep of the mountain, passing several lakes by the way, an immense wreck of stones is at last gained, presenting in many places so regular an appearance, that they might be mistaken for Druidical remains; some of them stand erect like Meini hirion, and one is dignified with the title, Llech Idris. These basaltic formations vary in size, being usually from three to six or ten feet in length,-some, however, are considerably larger, and measure sixteen or twenty feet. The peaks of this mountain "consist of siliceous porphyry, quartz, and felspar, enclosed in a green paste, with siliceous schistose porphyry, intersected with veins of quartz and argillaceous porphyry in a mass, and a dark green paste. Several rocks contain component parts of granite and porphyry, with a great proportion of white saponaceous quartz.”

From the small rocky plain at the summit of the mountain (Peny-Cader is the name of the highest point,) the views obtained are very grand and commanding. The eye of the spectator stretches over a vast extent, both of sea and land. The Harlech mountains, the estuary of the Mawddach, and Snowdon, with its dependencies, close the view in the north. The great Bay of Cardigan, and the mountains of Caernarvonshire, may be seen on the west. Pumlumon and the immense group of mountains of which it is the head, the Lake of Bala, and the Shropshire and Brecknock beacons, are parts of the prospect to the south. In fine and favourable weather Ireland may be seen in the distance, and some assert they have even caught a sight of the Bristol channel.

A gentleman, who some years ago ascended Cader Idris, has favoured the world with an interesting description of his task. Having safely reached Pen-y-Cader, he says: "After resting awhile, we rose to look around us; and we acknowledged ourselves amply repaid for the fatigue we had experienced by the beauty and grandeur of the scenery before us.

"Amidst the vast horizon's stretch,

In restless gaze, the eye of wonder darts

O'er the expanse; mountains on mountains piled,
And winding bays, and promontories huge,
Lakes, and meandering rivers, from their source

Traced to the distant ocean; scattered isles,

Dark rising from the watery waste, and seas

Dividing kingdoms !'

"The scene was indeed noble and extensive; mountain beyond mountain rose in the distance beneath us, and bounded our prospect in one direction, while it was terminated in another by a broad and beautiful expanse of ocean, glittering brilliantly in the sun-beams. Towns, villages, rivers, and lakes (of which we counted upwards of twelve), were submitted unobscured to our view; and we remained for a long time gazing on the magnificent scene, which our elevated situation afforded, and which the transparent atmosphere of a beautifully clear day enabled us to see to the best possible advantage.

Having satisfied ourselves with viewing the different prospects on the mountain, we repaired to a well, affording excellent water, and situated a little way down its northern declivity. We soon reached

it, and, opening a basket of provant which we had brought with us, seasoned a very hearty meal with copious draughts of the pure and delicious beverage of this Cambrian Helicon. Our guide led the way down one of the most rugged passes in the mountain, that known by the name of Llwybr Madyn, or the Fox's Path. The reasons which induced us to encounter the difficulties of Llwybr Madyn were twofold; first, we should save, at least, two miles of the road, a point well worthy of the attention of those who travel the wild hills of Merionethshire; secondly, one part of the Llwybr affords a very fine echo. Under these circumstances, then, we commenced our descent with cheerfulness. If we found the task of ascending laborious, that of descending was equally so, and fraught with far more danger. The extent of Llwybr Madyn I should imagine to be nearly two miles; and the declivity is extremely steep, and covered in many places with a species of loose slate, which a succession of dry weather had rendered exceedingly slippery. Where this slate is not to be found, the sides of the mountain afford growth to heath and gorse, concealing large stones, with which we frequently came in contact, as we were impelled downwards by the stream of loose stones which we had set in motion. In a hollow, at the foot of this "delectable path," is a deep and dark pool, into which, it is highly probable, we should have been precipitated, had we been luckless enough to have made a false step,

or acquired too violent an impetus by our haste to reach the bottom. The echo is, indeed, remarkably fine, and the blast of a small bugle, which was sounded, had a very beautiful effect, as it reverberated from point to point, and died away in the distance. It is, perhaps, worthy of remark, that we saw, as we were descending, two goats, high and hardly discernible among the brown beetling crags above us. These were the only animals of this kind I ever saw in a wild state in Wales; and I am informed, that there are generally two or three to be found among the almost inaccessible cliffs of the 'Fox's Path.' Having descended the pass, we gained something like level ground, in comparison with that which we had just been traversing, and we experienced the comfort of a tolerably smooth road for the remainder of our journey. About half-way between Garthynghared and the foot of the mountain an elderly peasant, whom we saw at work in a field by the roadside, after the usual salutation, invited us to his cottage, close by, to refresh ourselves. Although he spoke in a language with which I am not very familiar, yet I could perceive an eager earnestness in his manner which evinced the undisguised sincerity of his intentions, and we did not decline an invitation so naïve, yet so cordial. So the ladies, with their conductor, having previously joined us, eight in number, we entered the good man's hut. Our approach disturbed the repose of two very large pigs, who retired with audible tokens of displeasure at the intrusion; but we were heartily welcomed by a decent old woman, our host's wife,

'-Pia Baucis anus, parilique ætate Philemon,'

Who hastened to set before us such simple fare as the cottage contained, and a table was quickly spread with oat-cakes and milk, bread, butter, cheese, and succan, a kind of very small beer usually drunk by the common people in Wales, and not very unlike cyder in flavour. It is pleasing to record these unassuming traits of hospitality. Indeed, among the secluded hills of Wales the peasantry always evince a readiness to offer the traveller such refreshment as their humble situation affords; and they seek no other recompence than the commendation of their simple and honest hearts. These little acts of kindness and sincerity-these gratifying proofs of virtue and purity-strengthen and ennoble the hearts of

those who display them, and deeply impress the minds of those upon whom they are exercised with the liveliest feelings of gratitude and admiration. It will be long ere I forget this mountain peasant's courtesy-courtesy so unaffected and sincere, and offered with so much good-will, alacrity, and earnestness."

Tal-y-Llyn is a favourite angling station, and a spot much resorted to by artists and tourists. It is a little village, very picturesquely situated at the foot of a lake of the same name. Near the bridge is a small church, dedicated to St. Mary, which forms a pleasing feature of the landscape; and at the distance of a mile or two are several rocky promontories and crags, many of them vertical and sharply pointed, others projecting horizontally and overhanging the vale below. One of these precipices has been called Pen-yDelyn, from its resemblance in shape to a harp; and another Llyny-Lladron (the Thieves' Leap), from a tradition that it was once the custom to hurl thieves from its summit. Sir Owen ab Gwilym, the celebrated Welsh bard, was curate of the parish of Tal-y-Llyn about the year 1570.

The vale of Tal-y-Llyn may be viewed to great advantage from a field at the back of Ty'n-y-Cornel inn. The river Dysynni meanders through it, marked on either side by fertile meadows until it terminates in the sea at Towyn. Moel Cae'r Berllan, Gammallt, Graig Wen, and Graig Goch, are the names of the principal hills that flank this valley.

The lake of Tal-y-Llyn, though not large, is very beautiful. Its length is a mile and a quarter, and its greatest breadth half-a-mile. Bounded on the north by pasture land, to the south a high hill rears itself, covered with short green herbage. The lake affords the angler fine sport, the fish consisting of trout and eels. The latter attain a good size, and are protected by the thick covering of moss that lines

the bottom. Wild fowl may be shot here during the winter, as large numbers annually make their appearance.

Another lake, under the summit of Cader Idris, is called Llyn-yCal (the Pool of the Chasm). It is about a quarter of a mile in length and breadth, and bears considerable resemblance to the crater of a volcano at the head of the chasm. Through this a stream runs from the lake, forming a cataract.

Between Tal-y-Llyn and Dolgelley (not, however, in the regular road) is an object of great interest, called Craig-y-Deryn (the Bird's Rock). It is of vast height, and derives its name from the fact of its being the breeding place and resort of numbers of cormorants, hawks, and other birds, two or three hundred of which may be seen winging their way thither from the sea of an evening. The wild cries of their young produce a singular effect, in the midst of so imposing and sequestered a scene. On the top of Craig-y-Deryn may be found some traces of rude fortification. At the Corris Slate Quarries, in the neighbourhood, several hundred men are employed. The roofs of the National Gallery are formed of slate from these works.

Inns.-Ty'n-y-Cornel and Pen-y-bont.

Machynlleth (from Man-cyn-llaith, the town or place at the upper end of the flat or swamp), a considerable market town, is beautifully located on the western edge of Montgomeryshire. The approach to it from Tal-y-Llyn is by a fine easy road, following the course of the river Dyfi, or Dovey. The scenery along the whole of the way is exceedingly fine. The road carries the traveller from Merionethshire into Montgomeryshire, and the town of Machynlleth is entered after passing a handsome bridge thrown over the confluence of the Dûlas and Dyfi. Its streets are spacious and regular, and at once strike the visitor by their aspect of cleanliness and respectability. The population consists of about two thousand. The business of tanning is carried on here to some extent, but the chief occupation