The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

64 THE BRITISH ISLES.
Merionethshire (Meirionydd) is perhaps tlie most mountainous countj' of
all Wales, although Cader Idris and its other summits are interior in height to
Saowdon. The north-eastern portion of the county is drained by the river Dee,
which flows through Bala Lake. The western portion slopes down towards
Cardigan Bay, and the rivers traversing it form broad and shallow estuaries
before they enter the sea.
Bala, at the foot of Bala Lake, or Llyn Tegid, is much resorted to for fishing
and shooting. It is the seat of colleges of the Calvinistic Methodists and
Independents. Bala Lake has been selected by the Liverpool Corporation to
furnish it with a supply of wholesome drinking water. Coriven, a quiet market
town, is the only other place of any importance in the beautiful valley of the Dee.
Festiniog, on the Upper Dwyryd, is a large parish, containing meadows,
woods, and fine mountains, these latter yielding copper as well as slate. The
Fig. 32.—Harbour op Eefuge, Holyhead.
quarries employ about 3,500 men, and their produce is exported through Port-
madoc. HarMt, some distance to the south of the Dwyryd, was anciently the
capital of the county, but is now an unimportant place, and only shows some
animation in summer, when it is visited by tourists and sea-bathers.
Barmouth, or Abermaw, at the mouth of the Mawddach, has a small harbour.
Proceeding up the estuary of the Mawddach, and then following the valley of the
Wnion, we reach Bohjelly, the present capital of the county, situated in a lovely
mountain district commanded by the crags of Cader Idris. Here flannel weaving
is carried on, and gold and copper mines are worked at Clogan and St. David's, to
the north of it. An old cottage is pointed out as the house in which Owen Glyndwir
assembled his parliament in 1404.
Toinjn, within half a mile of the coast, has a mineral spring, and is acquiring
some importance as a sea-bathing town. Aberdovey, or Afon Dyfi, at the mouth