A BOTANICAL TOUR THROUGH SOUTH WALES, &c. 
255 
Apologizing for disturbing my reveries, he kindly informed me how I might 
cross to the other side of the vale, returning by Aberdilais Mill and Water-fall. 
I was much pleased then with Aberdilais, its rocky islet, and the enormous 
masses of rock at the base of the fall, though the height itself was inconsidera¬ 
ble. But alas! a steam-mill now deforms the scene, whose noise and smoke 
scares away the lovers of Nature and solitude. At the time to which I allude, 
one of the miller s family led me by a rude flight of steps to the summit of the 
rocky islet on one side of the mill, from whence the best view of the cascade was 
to be obtained. This islet I found overgrown with the Rkamnus frangula in 
profusion, and I was told various birds visited the rock to devour the berries. 
In the afternoon of that same day, as I was proceeding by the mail from Neath 
to Merthur, my friend of the knapsack appeared in front of the Lamb and Flag” 
as the mail stopped there to change horses, and, addressing me, observed^—^this is 
the land ©f water-falls, for I am told five lie within a few miles of this inn.— 
Then, said I, this night I repose at the Lamb and Flag;—and at the Lamb and 
Flag again I am, 
“ This is the land of water-falls” observed my friend of the knapsack, and 
truly on that occasion I found it so, for the morning opened with torrents of rain, 
and before the day closed I was over the water, under the water, and in the 
water. In the present instance I was more fortunate, and meeting with an 
intelligent man, a native of the district, who happened to be out of a situation, 
I determined, under his guidance, to visit the water-falls of the Hepste and 
Mellte, as well as the singular cavern called Porth-yr-ogof, through which the 
latter river flows, all in one excursion. We first proceeded to Pond-nedd- 
vechan, the bridge over the little river Nedd, where there are a few Welch 
cottages, the celebrated “Angel Inn” of various tourists, and an unpicturesque 
little chapel. I saw nothing in the Angel to tempt me to exchange it for the 
Lamb and Flag, though -in former days Mr, Warner and other travellers were 
compelled to use it in default of better quarters. I have no doubt, however, 
the civility of its hostess has improved since the day when, as I was informed, 
she refused after night-fall to admit Sir William Heygate, who was then 
travelling with a friend or two, and wished accommodation there, but the stern 
portress, entrenched within her fortress, vowed, that after sun-set she would not 
admit the Lord Mayor of London himself I The Lamb and Flag, which is said 
to have arisen from this circumstance, renders such rude “ Carinthian”* proceed¬ 
ings now no longer heard- of. 
I had forgotten my resolution to abandon subterranean explorations, and I 
* . 11. . The rude Carinthian boor, 
Against the houseless stranger shuts his door.'’“*GoLDSMiTH, 
