79 



sensations that the activity, power, and terrific roar of such a fall at other time* 



could not fail to produce. It was all unreal, the spuit of the fall was absent, 



and the observation of a practical gentleman afterwards, "that the whole 



river would run through a three-inch pipe with a proper inclination," did not 



seem out of place, and was certainly correct. 



■Within six or seven yards of the extreme edge is "The Maidens' Pool," 



a large pool into which the river falls some sis feet, with a force that has 



hollowed out a large round space in the rock at the side. With a full quantity 



of water, this must be an awful cauldron, and in its present smooth and quiet 



state it was at least eight or ten feet deep, and large enough to suggest a swim. 



Here in ages past, the legsnd runs, two young and lovely girls, locked in each. 



other's arms, threw themselves in despair — 



" Mad from life's liistory. 

 Glad to death's mystery. 

 Swift to be hurl'd 

 Anywhere, anywhere, 

 Out of the world." 



Never again were they seen, but ever will they be associated with the 

 horrors of the PwU-y-forwyn. 



"What became of the gentlemen?" was asked. "Oh, fair Madam, it 

 was not their privilege to throw an air of romance over so lovely a place — they 

 get not the sympathy of succeeding generations ! Doubtless they carried their 

 griefs bravely, covered their broken hearts with a calm outward appearance, and 

 spent, we will hope, ever after, their lives in quiet deeds of kindness and 

 charity ; or perchance — though history names them not^they may have died in 

 the Holy Land fighting the Siuacens, from a reckless disuse of the coat of 

 mail of the period." 



The bed of the river was filled now with parties in pretty irregular groups 

 pic-nicing most temptingly, and in addition to the difficulties of the passage 

 through the rocks, the gauntlet of the most hospitable offers had to be run. 

 The President's party had taken an open position in the field by the side of the 

 fall, in full view of the lovely wooded glen that took its winding way through 

 the hills. Of the next twenty minutes we will only say, that if the fair hostess 

 does not ever hereafter live in the grateful recollection of her guests as a 

 benificent creature, distributing to all comers, at a minute's notice, on a sultry 

 day, unceasing supplies of iced claret cup, our faith in the gratitude of man- 

 kind in general will be gi-eatly shaken. A Welsh woman from a neighbouring 

 cottage was greatly surprised, as well at the number of the visitors as at the 

 whole proceedings. Seeing the qiiantity of ice the President had so thought- 

 fully brought with him, she exclaimed, " Indeed, yes, it is ice, that is odd 

 indeed." 



Immediately after luncheon, a paper was read on 



