UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 225 



But to thee no ruder spell 

 Shall Mona use, than those that dwell 

 In music's secret cells, and lie 

 Steeped in the stream of harmony. 



Caroline repeated these lines after we had 

 ascended the new road from the Menai bridge, 

 and were losing sight of the extensive view of 

 Plas Newydd, the winding straits, and Snow- 

 don proudly towering over the Caernarvon moun- 

 tains. 



" Well chosen lines," said my aunt, " Mason's 

 Caractacus is always interesting, but particularly 

 so in this once sacred island, where 



with more than mortal fire 



Mighty Mador smote the lyre." 



" Mason gives such a nice touch of mystery 

 to these lines," said Caroline, " that I almost 

 feel the magic spell, and expect to see the 

 mountains whiten with the slow-descending 

 Druids." 



" I wish, uncle, that you would tell me some- 

 thing about the Druids ; I am very fond of the 

 history of those early times." 



" That, probably, arises from your love of fairy 

 tales and fables, Bertha ; for there is much fable, 

 I believe, in all early history : but be that as it 

 may, we may amuse ourselves with Druidical 

 fable while we drive along this bare country : 

 now for your questions." 



