74 BY MEADOW AND STREAM. 



homesteads were overwhelmed and now lie beneath 

 the great lake. Tombstones and coffins with their 

 contents had been removed, and planted afresh in 

 sacred ground on the mountain side ; the church- 

 yards were laid down with cement, and the waters 

 which now flow over these engulfed villages and 

 churchyards, and pour for many miles through tun- 

 nels and tanks, is pellucid and pure, and the people 

 of the great city derive health and vigour from the 

 waters of these mountains of Wales. And so it was 

 that the happy valley of the Vyrnwy became a great 

 lake, filled with big trout and other gamesome fishes ; 

 happy anglers sail upon its surface, and return to 

 the hotel laden with 'spoil, naturalists find endless 

 occupation amongst the birds and ferns and rocks on 

 the hills all round, and the great city of Liverpool is 

 grateful to the young Rasselas who first hinted to 

 them that here, lying in the bosom of North Wales, 

 was the water supply they so sadly needed. 



It was to visit this wonderful lake, and, if haply 

 we could, to catch some of the trout which were said 

 to swarm in its waters, that we travelled from London 

 (I, my daughter R., and her husband) on the last day 

 of June, 1894 a glorious day. This happy valley 

 (now a small sea five miles in length) lies high up in 

 the Welsh mountains, far away from railways and 

 " madding crowds." The twelve or fifteen mile drive 

 through lovely mountain scenery already inspires one 

 with glowing hope, and we reach the Lake Vyrnwy 

 Hotel with a warm welcome from the cheerful 

 hostess. 



Looking on Lake Vyrnwy from the hotel window 



