t and north by frightful crags,
from which it is fed by a number of small rills. The water is of the
deepest blue, and of very considerable depth. The banks, except to the
north and east, slope gently down, and are clad with soft and beautiful
moss. The river, of which it is the head, emerges at the south-western
side, and brawls away in the shape of a considerable brook, amidst moss,
and rushes down a wild glen tending to the south. To the west the
prospect is bounded, at a slight distance, by high, swelling ground. If
few rivers have a more wild and wondrous channel than the Rheidol, fewer
still have a more beautiful and romantic source.

After kneeling down and drinking freely of the lake I said:

"Now, where are we to go to next?"

"The nearest ffynnon to that of the Rheidol, sir, is the ffynnon of the
Severn."

"Very well," said I; "let us now go and see the ffynnon of the Severn!"

I followed my guide over a hill to the north-west into a valley, at the
farther end of which I saw a brook streaming apparently to the south,
where was an outlet.

"That brook," said the guide, "is the young Severn." The brook came from
round the side of a very lofty rock, singularly variegated, black and
white, the northern summit presenting something of the appearance of the
head of a horse. Passing round this crag we came to a fountain
surrounded with rushes, out of which the brook, now exceedingly small,
came murmuring.

"The crag above," said my guide, "is called Crag y Cefyl, or the Rock of
the Horse, and this spring at its foot is generally called the ffynnon of
the Hafren. However, drink not of it, master; for the ffynnon of the
Hafren is higher up the nant. Follow me, and I will presently show you
the real ffynnon of the Hafren."

I followed him up a narrow and very steep dingle. Presently we came to
some beautiful little pools of water in the turf, which was here
remarkably green.

"These are very pretty pools, an't they, master?" said my companion.
"Now, if I was a false guide I might bid you stoop and drink, saying that
these were the sources of the Severn; but I am a true cyfarwydd, and
therefore tell you not to drink, for these pools are not the sources of
the Hafren, no more than the spring below. The ffynnon of the Severn is
higher up the nant. Don't fret, however, but follow me, and we shall be
there in a minute."

So I did as he bade me, following him without fretting higher up the
nant. Just