Our Author,
Giraldus, Seems To Have Taken His Account Of The Spring, On The
Summit Of This Mountain, From Report, Rather Than From Ocular
Testimony.
I (Sir R. Colt Hoare) examined the summits of each peak
very attentively, and could discern no spring whatever.
The soil is
peaty and very boggy. On the declivity of the southern side of the
mountain, and at no considerable distance from the summit, is a
spring of very fine water, which my guide assured me never failed.
On the north-west side of the mountain is a round pool, in which
possibly trout may have been sometimes found, but, from the muddy
nature of its waters, I do not think it very probable; from this
pool issues a small brook, which falls precipitously down the sides
of the mountain, and pursuing its course through a narrow and well-
wooded valley, forms a pretty cascade near a rustic bridge which
traverses it. I am rather inclined think, that Giraldus confounded
in his account the spring and the pool together.
{57} The first of these are now styled the Black Mountains, of
which the Gadair Fawr is the principal, and is only secondary to the
Van in height. The Black Mountains are an extensive range of hills
rising to the east of Talgarth, in the several parishes of Talgarth,
Llaneliew, and Llanigorn, in the county of Brecknock, and connected
with the heights of Ewyas. The most elevated point is called Y
Gadair, and, excepting the Brecknock Van (the Cadair Arthur of
Giraldus), is esteemed the highest mountain in South Wales.
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