64 



THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Merionethshire (Meieionyod) is perhaps the most mountainous countj'- of 

 all "Wales, although Cader Idris and its otlicr summits are inferior in height to 

 Saowdon. The north-eastern portion of the county is drained by the river Dee, 

 whicli flows through Bala Lake. The western portion slopes down towards 

 Cardigan Bay, and the rivers traversing it form broad and shallow estuaries 

 before they enter the sea. 



Bala, at the foot of Bala Lake, or Llyn Tcgid, is much resorted to for fishing 

 and shooting. It is the seat of colleges of the Calvinistic Methodists and 

 Independents. ]3ala Lake has been selected by the Liverpool Corporation to 

 furnish it with a supply of wholesome drinking water. Corwen, a quiet market 

 town, is the only other place of any importance in the beautiful valley of the Dee. 



Festin log, on the Upper Dwyryd, is a large parish, containing meadows, 

 woods, and fine mountains, these latter yielding copper as well as slate. The 



Fig. 32. — Harbour of Refuge, Holyheat) 



quarries employ about 3,500 men, and their produce is exported through Port- 

 madoc. Harlech, some distance to the south of the Dwyryd, was anciently the 

 capital of the county, but is now an unimportant place, and only shows some 

 animation in summer, when it is visited by tourists and sea-bathers. 



Barmouth, or Abennair, at the mouth of the Mawddach, has a small harbour. 

 Proceeding up the estuary of the Mawddach, and then following the valley of the 

 Wnion, we reach Dokjellij, the present capital of the county, situated in a lovely 

 mountain district commanded by the crags of Cader Idris. Here flannel weaving 

 is carried on, and gold and copper mines are worked at Clogan and St. David's, to 

 the north of it. An old cottage is pointed out as the house in which Owen Glyndwir 

 assembled his parliament in 1404. 



Toiryn, within half a mile of the coast, has a mineral spring, and is acquiring 

 some importance as a sea-bathing town. Aberdovey, or Afon Dyfi, at the mouth 



