rude and shivered rocks, rushing waters, and hanging woods; beyond which the extensive base of Moel Siabod, and the distant purple peaks of Snowdon, are distinctly seen. A few minutes after, the vale and lakes of Capel Curig are observed in the declivity, in front nearly the whole of the Snowdon range,on the right the Glyder hills, and on the left Moel Siabod. From a rudely constructed bridge over the rippling stream immediately behind Capel Curig Inn, is a magnificent panoramic view. The sublimity and grandeur of this scene is probably unequalled in Britain. Each object is on an extensive scale-the mountains are bleak, yet varied and picturesque; and looking over the lakes, the highest peak of Snowdon is distinctly seen towering into the clouds in the extreme distance.

CHAPTER IX.

SNOWDONIA.

The rocky heights explore,
The Briton's last resource-his mountains hoar;
Where weeping freedom from the contest fled,
And Cambria saw her dearest heroes dead.
Illustrious band! distinguished Arvon's boast!
'Twas yours to lead in Gwynedd's warlike host,-
For you, while wisdom dwelt upon his tongue,
Your Taliesin's sweetest lyre was strung,-
For you, in peaceful shades and tented plain,
Flowed from his hallowed lips th' approving strain.

Llwyd.

RISING gradually and majestically from its rock-girt base, Snowdon* embraces within its limits a distinct region of subject-hills, valleys, and lakes, stretching across the country in one vast unbroken chain from sea to sea. It was formerly considered, in fact, to comprise within itself a little kingdom; the Barons of Snowdon were the most potent lords of the soil, and the seig

A name derived from the Saxon-the snow-clad hill; in the Welsh Eryri, from Mynydd Eryrod, the hill of eagles. Mr. Pennant, the best authority, seems to consider it to have sprung from Creigau 'r Eryra, or the eagles' crags; but its most probable derivation may be safely left to employ the industry and ingenuity of native antiquarians, distinguished for their profound knowledge of the ancient British language and antiquities. + These Barons of Snowdon were justly entitled to be considered as the Upper House, and distinguished from the Commoners occupying the vales and low-lands. Accordingly, we find they exercised their privileges in a manner which a greatly-elevated position generally prompts men to do, and with a cavalier spirit often more surprising than pleasing to the lower houses of their neighbouring Commoners. It is singular, also, how nearly their peculiar feudal laws and usages are found to resemble those of the great Norman nobility, and the House of Lords of the present day.

niory of its broad and bold domain was always the most severely contested and the last resigned. Edward I. celebrated his final triumph over the ill-fated Llewellyn in jousts and festivals upon its plains; he often made it his favourite summer residence; it was chosen as the congress of the native princes, and of the bardic contests, and palaces and hunting seats animated its wooded and well-peopled eminences. Now, a comparatively barren wilderness of heights spreads before the eye; naked massy ridges still rear their natural barrier against the skies; but the military stations, castles, and towers, which made them formidable, are seen no more. Their ruins only serve to awaken melancholy recollections of departed grandeur,-the sites of deserted halls, and bowers, and palace-fortresses, reft of their sylvan beauties, amidst these calm retreats and once lordly domains. Snowdon, like a vast mountainfortress, boasted its defensive moat in the two rivers which, extending to Conway and Traeth Mawr, fall into the sea, giving to Anglesea that security, on the land-side, which pointed it out as the natural seat of sovereignty.

The passes into

The

Improved by art, this position required only a powerful navy to have maintained the independence of the Britons from those fierce marauding nations which attacked it incessantly. the country were defended by the strongholds of Deganwy on the Conway, of Caerhun on the Pass of Bwlch y ddaufaen,-the Castles of Aber and Dolwyddelan,-strong forts in Vale Frangon, in Nantperis, Cedwm in Nant Tall y Llyn, and the Castles of Harlech and Criccaeth, on the open Pass of Traeth Mawr. There were towers also at Casail Gyfarch, Dolbenmaen, besides military posts and fortifications in the more exposed positions of the country.

The Snowdonian range extends from the heights of Penmaen Mawr in a succession of lofty hills to the triple-headed Reifell, which borders upon the Bay of Caernarvon. Its highest peak towers about three thousand six hundred feet and it embraces a compass of forty miles in length.

above the ocean,

The Carnedd,