(_See Illustration on the Cover_.)
The Welsh are justly proud of their hills and their rivers; they
frequently personify both, and attribute to them characters corresponding
with their peculiar features. Of the Severn, the Wye, and the Rheidol,
they have an apologue, intended to convey an idea of their comparative
length, and also of the character of the districts through which they
flow. It is called "The Three Sisters," and in substance is as
follows:--In some primitive period of the earth's history, Father
Plinlimmon promised to these nymphs of the mountain as much territory as
they could compass in a day's journey to the sea, by way of dowry upon
their alliance with certain marine deities they should meet there. Sabra,
goddess of the Severn, being a prudent, well-conducted maiden, rose with
the first streak of morning dawn, and, descending the eastern side of the
hill, made choice of the most fertile valleys, whilst as yet her sisters
slept. Vaga, goddess of the Wye, rose next, and, making all haste to
perform her task, took a shorter course, by which means she joined her
sister ere she reached the sea. The goddess Rhea, old Plinlimmon's pet,
woke not till roused by her father's chiding; but by bounding down the
side of the mountain, and selecting the shortest course of all, she
managed to reach her destination first. Thus the Cymric proverb, "There
is no impossibility to the maiden who hath a fortune to lose or a husband
to win."