64 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
— which sweeps by a winding path down towards 
the vale of Fingle Bridge. You have to descend 
the densely wooded side of a hill, and the path 
along nearly the whole way is overhung by trees. 
Peer under the dense wooded cover that extends 
on either side of the path, and you may well 
admire the splendid growth of the ferns that 
revel in the humid shelter of the greenwood. 
Following the downward course of the steep 
path, a clearance in the trees and a jutting 
point of the hill suddenly give the opportunity 
for a sight which is sublimely magnificent. You 
stand on the height far above the vale of Fingle 
Bridge. From your feet, down to the extreme 
point of the narrow valley, sweeps a dense mass 
of trees, gracefully curving round to the left, 
until it is almost met by the lofty wood- 
covered hill that rears up grandly against the 
sky on the opposite side of the valley. We 
have said that the grand and wood-covered, 
wood-crowned heights almost meet : their bases 
interlace ; but a clear space intervenes between 
their tops, giving a marvellous combination of 
