SNOWDON RANGE OF MOUNTAINS. 
221 
of little extent, and occasionally hollows in the mountains, 
are the spots where peat oftenest occurs. 
Though we have seen that nature furnishes a consider- 
able quantity of useful materials in this narrow space, it 
does not appear that sufficient advantage has been taken 
of its circumstances, in regard to the arts. And though, 
no doubt, wool has been from time immemorial manufac- 
tured into flannel, the great staple of the country, yet nei- 
ther this, nor any other manufacture, has been carried to 
the extent it might. 
This basin is near to the great sea-port of Liverpool ; 
has a river navigable for many miles, which admits of 
having coal and other heavy articles easily conveyed ; it is 
from the nature of its soil healthy; and what is of still 
more importance, there are few places more fitted, from its 
geological structure, to afford an easy command of water- 
power. Almost every stream, as has already been stated, 
has in its course a lake of greater or less extent, which 
would supply water at almost all seasons of the year ; or, 
in some cases, a slight embankment at the mouth of these 
lakes would be all that would be necessary to ensure an 
ample supply of water for every kind of machinery. 
It is not easy to conceive why a situation possessing such 
advantages should not have been selected as a station for 
manufactures. 
Though not strictly connected with the object of this 
paper, which is more particularly intended to describe the 
natural features, the geological structure, and the resources 
which these afford, we cannot omit stating, that this roman- 
tic valley is not without interest to the lover of ancient 
architecture. 
In the venerable mansions of Gwydir, Bodysgallen, and 
Gloddarth, the latter noted for its fine old baronial hall, 
and valuable library of books and Welsh manuscripts, we 
