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LLANGOKSE LAKE AND THE ALLT. 



Friday, July 22, 1S70. 



Llangorse Lake, Llyn Safaddu or Safeddan, or Breckinioc Mere as the 

 fancy of the reader may please to term it is one of the wonders of Wales, ac- 

 cording to Archdeacon Mape in his Poem, "De mirabilibua WalL'se." It is 

 the largest Lake in South Wales, about two miles long, five miles in circum- 

 ference, nearly a mils broad at the widest part, and covei-3 an extent of some 

 1700 or 1800 acres. It's position at the foot of the Black mountains, on the 

 extreme western side, rendered it very unapproachable until the advent of 

 railways. Now, however, the Hereford, Hay, and Brecon line passes near, and 

 an hour and a halfs ride and a pleasant walk of a mile from the Tal y-llyn 

 Junction-station brings it within ready reach of visitors from Hereford. 



It forms a very pleasant excursion and will be the more appreciated 

 the better it is known. On the first approach the Lake does not seem large, 

 but the extent of its waters becomes more and more evident as the boat makes 

 progress on its surface ; and so too does the beauty of its scenery. From 

 every position about it the mountains Myndd Llangorse, and Myndd Troed 

 look bold and well, and are ever enriched by the deep shadows of the passing 

 clouds. It is said that the Black Mountains take their distinguishing name 

 from the depth of the shadows thrown on them in this way, and certainly it 

 is remarkable as seen from the surface of the lake. On the southern shore, the 

 fine hill the Allt, with its wooded slopes shelves down to the flat meadows 

 on the margin. About the middle it forms a low promontory on which stands 

 the li.tle picturesque church of Llangasty Tal-y-llyn, and the lake bends 

 suddenly round it. Destitute indeed of all artistic feeling must the visitor be 

 who does not admire the beauty of the scene, as the boat returns, when the 

 little church appears on the left, charming groups of Scotch fir trees in the 

 meadows, with the near hills surmounted by the Brecon Beacons, which are 

 most beautifully seen. What lovely bimsets are to be enjoyed upon the Lake, 

 what calm and beautiful early mornings, those only know who have experienced 

 them. 



