part of the vale are two immense fragments of rock, one of which is in shape, like the gable of a large house; and far exceeds in bulk the enormous Bowdar stone, near Derwentwater in Borrowdale. Here the mountain barrier divides, opening into Nantperis, and further into Nant Cerrig; on the right the lofty Shiabod lifts his dark brown head, and on the left is the cataract Rhaiedr Cwm dyli. It consists of two distinct waterfails, formed by a rivulet, issuing from the alpine pool in the mountains above, called Llyn Llwydaw. This, interrupted by two rocky ledges, breaks in foam and spray down their broken fronts; and, during rainy weather, produces a grand effect. Near Llyn Cawellyn, about the midway between Beddgellert and Caernarvon, is the usual mode of ascent to Snowdon, near which is a small inn, the residence of an intelligent and useful guide. Mr. Bingley selected this for one of his alpine excursions. "We first went along some meadows, which extend up the sides of the mountain, for about half a mile. Leav ing these, after some time, we came to Bwlch Cwm Brwynog, The hollow of the vale of Brwynog, a kind of gap between the mountains which overlook that vale. This place is reckoned about half way to the top, and persons who visit the mountain on horse-back, usually ride thus far, leaving their horses here to the care of their servants till they return. We passed by Llyn Ffynnon y Gwas, The Servant's Pool. The path I found all the way exceedingly tiresome. A little above the pool I had to pass for near a quarter of a mile over immense masses of rocks, lying over each other in almost every direction, and entirely destitute of vegetation.* The view from the summit I found beyond my expectation extensive. From this point the eye is able to trace, on a clear day, part of the coast, with the hills of Scotland; the high mountains of Westmoreland and Cumberland; and, on this side, some of the hills of Lancashire. When the atmosphere is very transparent, even part of the county of Wicklow, and the whole of the Isle of Man, A track lately cut for the passing of sledges from the copper mine at the foot of Clogwyn y Garnedd, has in some degree obviated these difficulties. Man, become visible. The immediately surrounding mountains of Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire all scem directly under the eye, and the highest of the whole appear from this station much lower than Snowdon. Many of the vales were exposed to the view, which, by their verdure, relieved the eye from the dreary scene of barren rocks. The numerous pools visible from hence, betwixt thirty and forty, lend also a varied character to the prospect. The mountain itself, from the summit, seems as it were propped by five immense rocks as bultresses. These are Crib y Ddistill and Crib Coch, between Llanberis and Capel Curig; Lliewedd towards Nan Hwynan Clawdd Coch towards Beddgelert; and Lechog, the mountain which forms the south-side of the vale of Llanberis, towards Dolbadarn. The summit of Snowdon is so frequently enveloped in clouds and mist, that, except when the weather is perfectly fine and settled, the traveller through this country will find it somewhat difficult to have a day sufficiently clear to permit him to ascend the mountain. When the wind blows from the west it is almost always completely covered; and at other times, even when the state of the weather seems favourable, it will often become suddenly enveloped, and will remain in that state for hours. Most persons, however, agree, that the prospects are the more interesting, as they are more varied, when the clouds just cover the summit. The following description of the scenery from Snowdon when the mountain is in this state is perfectly accurate: Now high and swift flits the thin rack along In darkness; save at once where drifted mists Now swift on either side the gather'd clouds, Recede Recede, and the fair face of heaven and earth Lakes and meandering rivers, from their source Mr. Warner,f appears to have taken an unusual direction for obtaining a view of the scenic grandeur, exhibited to the sight from the summit of the majestic Snowdon. The pedestrian and his companions, attended by a guide, ascended from Nant Gwynant, keeping to the left of Y Aran mountain above Cum Llan, and passing the lofty Llidiaw; and after bustling and toiling up a tremendously rugged steep, in two hours they attained the object of their wishes, a prospect, under a clear sky, from the usually cloud-capt peak of Snowdon. Neither of these, however, is the preferable route, as will appear from the following brief, but useful, directions, furnished by a gentleman who has frequently made excursions up the mountain, and resides near its base. "The best route to the top of Snowdon is either to walk, ride on horseback, or take a chaise, to a place called Cwm y GloLlanrug, about four miles from Caernarvon, and a good road; there take boat up the lower Llan Beris lake; more properly called Llyn Padarn; then land on the little isthmus between the pools; just below the old castle, Dol Badarn, take a guide from thence, and ascend by Caunant Mawr, the great chasm, where is a fine water-fall; climb up along the south-side of the ridge separating Llan Beris Hollow, from Cwm Brwynog, another hollow or mountain flat, then go up in sight of Llyn Du Yr Arddu, which you must leave on the right; the steep rock above the Arddu. Pool is celebrated amongst botanists; here the Anthericum serotinum grows, &c. then you ascend along a steep place, called Llechwedd y Re, from thence to the famous Bingley's North Wales, Vol. I. p. 250—262, &c, cold |