168 TAL Y LLYN. 



extremity of the vale, it contracts gradually into 

 the form of a river rushing rapidly through a 

 stone arch into a very narrow pass ; having on one 

 of side the church, and on the other the small cluster 

 of houses that form the village, embosomed in trees. 

 At the distance of a mile or two beyond the church, 

 the sterile and rugged hills almost meet : they are 

 broken into numberless crags, of which some are 

 perpendicular and sharply pointed ; but the greater 

 number project horizontally, and impend with 

 threatening gloom over the vale beneath. One of 

 these precipices, from its resemblance in form to a 

 harp, has been called Pen y Delyn ; and another, 

 from a tradition that it was formerly the practice 

 to throw thieves from its summit, has been deno- 

 minated Llam y Lledron, or " the Thieves' Leap." 



Tal y Llyn is the property of Colonel Vaughan, 

 of Hengwrt and Rug, who purchased it for no other 

 purpose than that of affording his friends the enjoy- 

 ment of angling in it. The stranger, who has never 

 heard of this generous-hearted Welshman, is equally 

 welcome to participate in the sport without the 

 trouble and annoyance of begging a day's fishing, 

 or of even intimating his intention to the proprietor. 

 The Colonel has also provided a boat for those who 

 visit the lake, which is always to be had, if disen- 

 gaged, by application at the inn, now or very re- 

 cently in the occupation of one Roberts. 



Three mountain streams pay their tribute to this 

 lake. It contains two species of fish ; the large lake 

 trout of eight or ten pounds' weight, and the common 



