EIVEHS AND LAKES OF WALES. 133 



and Penygent, in Yorkshire; beyond these the mountains of 

 Cumberland, and Westmoreland ; and, on this side, some of the hills 

 of Lancashire. When the atmosphere is in its highest state of 

 transparency, part of the county of Wicklow, in Ireland, becomes 

 distinctly visible. The Isle of Man, and the surrounding moun- 

 tains of Caernarvonshire and Merionethshire, all seem directly 

 under the eye. 



The view is vastly enhanced in scenic interest by many of the 

 vales being exposed to the eye, which, by their freshness and 

 verdure, relieve the dreary scene of wild and barren rocks. The 

 number of lakes or pools within the range of the vision, amounting 

 from thirty to forty, lend also a varied character to the prospect. 

 The summit of this lofty hill 3,571 feet from the level of the 

 sea is, however, so frequently enveloped in clouds and mists, 

 that, except when the weather is particularly favourable, the 

 traveller may wait some time without meeting with a day suf- 

 ficiently clear for his enterprise. When the winl is from the west, 

 the summit is almost always completely covered with clouds ; and 

 at other times, even when the weather is considered usually fine, 

 the mountain will often become suddenly enveloped with vapour, 

 and will remain in that state for hours. Some tourists, however, 

 seem to think that the prospects are the more interesting, because 

 more varied, when the clouds just cover the summit. The follow- 

 ing description of^ Snowdon, when seen in this state, is very 

 accurate and forcible : 



" Now high and swift flits the thin rock along 

 Skirted by rainbow dies, now deep below 

 (While the fierce sun strikes the illumined top) 

 Slow sails the gloomy ^ storm, and all beneath, 

 By vapourous exhalations hid, lies lost 

 In darkness ; save at once where drifted mists, 

 Cut by strong gusts of eddying winds, expose 

 The transitory scenes. 



Now swift on either side the gathered clouds, 

 As by a sudden touch of magic, wide 

 Recede, and the fair face of heaven and earth 

 Appears. Amid the vast horizon's stretch, 

 In restless gaze the eye of wonder darts ^ 

 O'er the expanse ; mountains on mountains piled, 

 And winding bays, and promontories huge, 

 Lakes and meandering rivers, from their source 

 Traced to the distant ocean." 



There are various lakes in Caernarvonshire in which there is 

 first-rate angling for trout, and many kinds of bottom fish. The 

 names of the principal of these are Ogicen Lake, Lake of Cwm 

 Idwel, the Llanberis Lakes, the Lakes of Nantle, Nant Gwynan y 

 Llyn Cicellyn, Llyn Bachhcyd, Llyn Tal y Llyn 3 and Llyn Crajnaut 



