52 dolci:lle to Machynlleth- 



under a lofty bridge. By defcending an hundred feet, 

 we had a clearer view of this romantic fcene. Juft 

 above our heads was a double bridge, which has 

 been thrown over the gulph ; the inferior bridge 

 was built by a monaftery, and hence called Pont ar 

 Monach ; this growing to decay, and being thought 

 infecure, another arch was thrown directly above, 

 and rcfling on the ancient one, and which now fup- 

 ports a good road acrofs the precipice. The water 

 below has fcooped out feveral deep chafms in the 

 rock, through which it flows before it dives under 

 the bridge. A large beech has flung its boughs 

 horizontally over the torrent, as if to hide it from 

 the fpedator; and the whole banks of this -wild 

 fpot are rough with fern, mofs, and native thickets, 

 except on one fide, where a perpendicular naked 

 flate-rock lets in the light to the inmofl receflfes. 

 Having fuftlciently admired this tremendous fcene, 

 we walked along the cliffs overhanging the deep 

 glen, which receives the mingled waters of the 

 Rhydol. and Monach, whofe luxuriant woods al- 

 moil concealed the numerous rapids and falls oc- 

 cafioned by the ruggednefs of its rocky bottom. 

 After a troublefome, and rather a hazardous defcent, 

 forcing our v/ay through the trees, and acrofs tv/o 

 or three headlong little flreams, we arrived at a 

 rocky bank, a few feet above the river, command- 

 ing a fine view of the junction of the Rhydoi and 

 Monach, which feem to vie with each other in the 

 turbulence of their waters, and the frequency of 



their 



