erior of the building, and departed.

Emerging from the hollow way, I found myself on a moor, over which the
road lay in the direction of the north. Towards the west, at an immense
distance, rose a range of stupendous hills, which I subsequently learned
were those of Snowdon--about ten minutes' walking brought me to Cerrig y
Drudion, a small village near a rocky elevation, from which, no doubt,
the place takes its name, which interpreted, is the Rock of Heroes.

CHAPTER XXIV

Cerrig y Drudion--The Landlady--Doctor Jones--Coll Gwynfa--The
Italian--Men of Como--Disappointment--Weather--Glasses--Southey.

The inn at Cerrig y Drudion was called the Lion--whether the white,
black, red or green Lion, I do not know, though I am certain that it was
a lion of some colour or other. It seemed as decent and respectable a
hostelry as any traveller could wish, to refresh and repose himself in,
after a walk of twenty miles. I entered a well-lighted passage, and from
thence a well-lighted bar room, on the right hand, in which sat a stout,
comely, elderly lady, dressed in silks and satins, with a cambric coif on
her head, in company with a thin, elderly man with a hat on his head,
dressed in a rather prim and precise manner. "Madam!" said I, bowing to
the lady, "as I suppose you are the mistress of this establishment, I beg
leave to inform you that I am an Englishman, walking through these
regions, in order fully to enjoy their beauties and wonders. I have this
day come from Llangollen, and being somewhat hungry and fatigued, hope I
can be accommodated here with a dinner and a bed."

"Sir!" said the lady, getting up and making me a profound curtsey, "I am,
as you suppose, the mistress of this establishment, and am happy to say
that I shall be able to accommodate you--pray sit down, sir;" she
continued, handing me a chair, "you must indeed be tired, for Llangollen
is a great way from here."

I took the seat with thanks, and she resumed her own.

"Rather hot weather for walking, sir!" said the precise-looking
gentleman.

"It is," said I; "but as I can't observe the country well without walking
through it, I put up with the heat."

"You exhibit a philosophic mind, sir," said the precise-looking
gentleman--"and a philosophic mind I hold in reverence."

"Pray, sir," said I, "have I the honour of addressing a member of the
medical profession?"

"Sir," said the precise-looking gentleman, getting up and making me a
bow