93 



so deep. The Wye and tlie Severn are sedate in comparison ; they move 

 more silently and at leisure. The Usk water, so bright and so clear, seems pure as 

 crystal, and runs rippling, murmuring, dancing along with a peculiar grace and 

 cheerfulness. Vaga and Sabrina have charms of their own ; but Isca is a siren, 

 entrancing all who stay to listen to her voice, tempting them almost to envy 

 the salmon for whose good pleasure she would seem specially to provide. That 

 any dwellers upon the banks of the Usk can be other than devoted fishermen 

 seems almost a mai"vel ; but mankind is perverse ; the inhabitants of peaceful 

 villages fill the ranks of the army ; inland dwellers take a violent fancy for the 

 sea ; and the quiet happiness of the country is readily yielded for the strife 

 and turmoil and trouble of a city existence. Human life would be dull indeed 

 and monotonous, if all were amenable to the same impressions ; and so, beauti" 

 ful siren ! there are many who can resist your charms, and doubtless some 

 who would greatly prefer the practical usefulness of a dull and dirty dead level 

 canaL 



The next important move was to cross the river, but this at first seemed by 

 no means an easy one. The ferry boat was on the other side, and the united 

 exertions of some dozen pair of stout lungs failed to call forth the ferryman, or 

 to induce one or two rustics on the opposite bank to render any assistance. One 

 gentleman at last waded across and deserved the ovation he got for rescuing 

 his friends from their dilemma. The zig-zag path to the keeper's house was soon 

 ascended, and by a pleasant walk through the meadows the prettiest of all the 

 towns on the banks of the Usk was soon reached. Some gentlemen found time 

 to pay a him-ied visit to the castle ruins, whilst the rest prepared themselves to 

 enjoy the good things provided by the attentive hostess of the Three Salmons 

 Hotel. 



After dinner the following admirable paper was read •.—■ 



