RIVERS AND LAKES OF WALES 215 



time without meeting with a day sufficiently clear for 

 his enterprise. "When the wind is from the west, the 

 summit is almost always completely covered with clouds ; 

 and at other times, even when the weather is considered 

 unusually 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 

 following description of Snowdon, when seen in this 

 state, is very accurate and forcible : — 



" Now high and swift flits the thin rook 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 vaporous 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 — 

 Ogwen Lake, Lake of Cwm Idwel, the Llanberis Lakes, 

 the Lakes of Nantle, Nant Gwynan, Llyn Cwellyn, Llyn 

 Bachlwyd, Llyn Tal-y-Llyn, and Llyn Crafnaut. Troll- 

 ing with the minnow, or small trout, is sometimes very 

 successful in capturing large trout, which have been 

 taken sometimes out of these Welsh lakes, fourteen 

 pounds weight. To those who are partial to lake- 

 fishing, these waters will afford an abundant source of 

 amusement and sport. 



