64 THE FERN PARADISE. 



which sweeps by a winding path down towards 

 the vale of Fingle Bridge. You have to descend 

 the densely wooded side of a hill, and the path 

 along nearly the whole way is overhung by trees. 

 Peer under the dense wooded cover that extends 

 on either side of the path, and you may well 

 admire the splendid growth of the ferns that 

 revel in the humid shelter of the greenwood. 



Following the downward course of the steep 

 path, a clearance in the trees and a jutting 

 point of the hill suddenly give the opportunity 

 for a sight which is sublimely magnificent. You 

 stand on the height far above the vale of Fingle 

 Bridge. From your feet, down to the extreme 

 point of the narrow valley, sweeps a dense mass 

 of trees, gracefully curving round to the left, 

 until it is almost met by the lofty wood- 

 covered hill that rears up grandly against the 

 sky on the opposite side of the valley. We 

 have said that the grand and wood-covered, 

 wood-crowned heights almost meet : their bases 

 interlace ; but a clear space intervenes between 

 their tops, giving a marvellous combination of 



