As when soft breezes fan the waving grove ; And make the rich, rude, thund'ring scene divine.” MAUDE. The Force may be strictly termed magnificent. The whole body of the river rushes rapidly over an abrupt descent, partially broken into three steps, and falling with stunning roar into a deep cauldron,-over which rainbowed spray, like April shower-clouds, continually hangs -it flashes onwards, foaming and thundering along the irregular sheet of limestone; occasionally subsiding into calm glassy pools, but for the most part boiling and hissing tumultuously around the broken rocks that seem vainly endeavouring to arrest its speed. On both sides the river are grim impending cliffs, that threaten with destruction any adventurous explorer of the water's margin. Trees and brushwood cover their summits, and above lie green fields, invisible from below. Wild flowers spring from the chinks, and ivy and blossoming creepers festoon both branch and crag. King-fishers sometimes dart along the current, and amid the pauses of the Fall's deep sound, the small birds sing, as if in rivalry, whilst every now and then the hawk's shrill cries are mingled with the many-toned voices of the resistless waves. After a flood, which is not unfrequent, the majesty of the Force is greatly enhanced, but then the best point of view is difficult, if not impracticable of access. Aysgarth Bridge consists of a single arch, a segment of a circle, rising 32 feet, and spanning 71; flung over the stream from two natural piers of limestone, in 1539, as is attested by a tablet. It has a very light and airy appearance, and part of its concave is embellished by hanging petrifications. The crown of the bridge commands a fine view of the upper cataract. |