DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20917#0169
the black mountains. I39
The swell of the side prevented a sight of the
vallies; consequently, the barren summits of
the Monmouthshire Alps, cloathecl in mist, alone
met our view. Rugged and sterile as they are,
we seemed to have arrived at the termination of
vegetation.
The^peration of descending was far less ter-
rific than that of ascending ; but it is certainly
equally dangerous. Rains are almosr. daily beating
against these mountains; but, happily, the vio-
lent winds which accompany them, dry the sur-
face as rapidly as it wets; otherwise the path
would be impassable. When we crossed the
ridge, the storm poured full in our faces. Thus
lituated, we dared not stand to contemplate the
immense amphitheatre that gradually expanded
before us. Proceeding, the track winds close to
a shone wall, which renders the way apparently
more secure ; though we often left it, and were
perched upon rocks, and tufts of earth, not two
feet in width. After having been wetted by a heavy
shower, or rather having pasTed through a cloud,
we reached a more pleasant yet st ill uneven path,
perfectly secure, and amidst some traces of culti-
vation. Hence we first saw the Abbey of Lan-
thony, and the sublime vale of Ewias. The walls
and tower, compared with their grand inclosure,
k 4 shrunk
The swell of the side prevented a sight of the
vallies; consequently, the barren summits of
the Monmouthshire Alps, cloathecl in mist, alone
met our view. Rugged and sterile as they are,
we seemed to have arrived at the termination of
vegetation.
The^peration of descending was far less ter-
rific than that of ascending ; but it is certainly
equally dangerous. Rains are almosr. daily beating
against these mountains; but, happily, the vio-
lent winds which accompany them, dry the sur-
face as rapidly as it wets; otherwise the path
would be impassable. When we crossed the
ridge, the storm poured full in our faces. Thus
lituated, we dared not stand to contemplate the
immense amphitheatre that gradually expanded
before us. Proceeding, the track winds close to
a shone wall, which renders the way apparently
more secure ; though we often left it, and were
perched upon rocks, and tufts of earth, not two
feet in width. After having been wetted by a heavy
shower, or rather having pasTed through a cloud,
we reached a more pleasant yet st ill uneven path,
perfectly secure, and amidst some traces of culti-
vation. Hence we first saw the Abbey of Lan-
thony, and the sublime vale of Ewias. The walls
and tower, compared with their grand inclosure,
k 4 shrunk