14 INTRODUCTION. 



of wood, and far bolder in their craggy outline than our 

 own heights. Snowdon, the most important mountain in 

 Wales, rises to a height of 3700 feet. Standing in a 

 northern county of the Principality it is not, however, to 

 be included in a view from the banks of the southern 

 Severn. But the hills of Glamorgan, and Brecon, es- 

 pecially noticed by Mr. Knapp, are upward of 2000 feet 

 in height, and stamped more or less with the same general 

 character. It often happens indeed, from the boldness of 

 position, and the abruptness of outline, which usually 

 mark the mountains of Europe, that heights of no great 

 elevation produce very striking effects in a view. 



The fertile alluvial pastures in the immediate fore- 

 ground of the picture, are those in which Milton's river- 

 nymph Sabrina, may be supposed to have strayed : 



" Still she retains 



Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve 

 Visits the herds along the twilight meadows, 

 Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs 

 That the shrewd meddling elf delights to make, 

 Which she with precious vial'd liquors heals ; 

 For which the shepherds at their festivals 

 Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays, 

 And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream ' 

 Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils." 



The little village, the immediate scene of the Naturalist's 



