A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 81 



fudden rains fubject to the mod dreadful 

 overflowings, the water, at thofe times, 

 frequently fweeping along with it even the 

 very foil of the land it pafTes over. From 

 this circumflance it is that much of the 

 land near its banks is let at very low rents. 

 This vale is perhaps the moft extenfive in 

 the kingdom, being near twenty-four miles 

 in length and feven in breadth ; and though 

 it is impoffible to exhibit a richer or more 

 beautiful fcene of fertility, yet, from its 

 great width and its want of water, I believe 

 the painter will prefer to it many of the 

 deep glens and picturefque vales of Caer- 

 narvonmire and Merionethmire. 



From St. Afaph I wandered down the 

 vale towards the little village of Rhyddlan. 

 The country all the way was in tere fling. 

 At the diftance of about a mile I looked 

 back upon the little city I had left: its 

 fmgle flreet occupied the flope of the hill, 

 at the top of which flood the cathedral, 

 vor., i. G and 



