The Dee is a most beautiful and romantic river : it is singular from the circumstance that it increases its rapi dity as it recedes from its source, being fed by numerous rapid streams from the surrounding mountains ; one of which, called the Ceiro, precipitates itself down the cu rious falls of Glyndyffis. Perhaps the grandest view of the Dee is where it passes into the great plain of Che shire, as the mountains recede, and lay it open to the view. It loses its romantic character as it approaches the city of Chester, and becomes a deep and tranquil ri ver. At Chester it is discoloured by the tide; and though its windings are numerous, yet they are not picturesque,' as it passes through a broad marsh before it swells into its grand basin.
The Tyne is formed from two branches, called the South and North Tyne. The former takes its rise on the borders of Durham and Cumberland. At first, its di rection is northward, a little inclined to the west by Ald stone : it then turns eastward to meet the north Tyne. This rises- in the moorlands of Northumberland,. close on the borders of Scotland; and being joined by the Reed, near Bellingham, pursues a south-west course, till it unites with the South Tyne. After their junction, the Tyne takes an eastward direction, and at last turning a little towards the north, falls into the sea beneath Tyn mouth Castle.
The course of both the branches of this river is wild and romantic, till they reach Tynedale, when its cha racter changes into a milder and more beautiful cast. After passing Hexham, which occupies a central spot, near the junction of the two branches, the Tyne flows through a vale, rich in manufactures, as far as New castle. Here ships of moderate burden can come up ; but the towns of North and South Shields are the pro per ports of this river. Its estuary presents an interest ing object from the high hills on each side of it, being filled with vessels, and winding in extensive reaches between high banks. Its exit to the sea is not less striking, the bold ruin of Tynmouth Castle terminat ing its northern bank in a grand and impressive man ner.
The source of the Tees is contiguous to that of the South Tyne, in the vast moors which separate York shire from Durham, Cumberland, and Westmoreland. At first it flows in a south-easterly direction ; but be neath the town of Darlington, it turns abruptly to the north-east, and falls into the sea below Stockton, which may be considered its port. This river, flowing for a considerable part of its course through a wild and ro mantic country, bears the same character. During the latter part of its course, however, its character changes, and its banks are rendered busy and populous by a great variety of works. In many parts, they are fringed with wood of considerable growth and value.
The Trent deserves a fuller notice than we have given to any of the rivers, except perhaps the Thames and the Severn, on account not only of the length of its course, but also of the fertile districts through which it passes ; the immense number of canals, by means of which it has an inland communication with almost every part of the kingdom ; and the multitude of rivers, some of them of considerable size and note, which it receives in its passage to the sea.
The Trent takes its rise in the hills beyond New castle-under-Lyne, in that part of Staffordshire that borders on Cheshire. At first, its course is nearly south-east ; it then makes a sudden turn by the east to the north near Barton. From this place it divides Lei cestershire from Derbyshire for a short time. It then crosses the south part of Derbyshire, and skirting the north-west part of Leicestershire, it enters Nottingham shire a little below Thrumpton. After passing Not tingham and Newai k in a north-east direction, it sud denly turns to the north, near the latter town, and flow ing past Gainsborough, enters Lincolnshire at East Stockworth ; and about five miles below Burton-upon Strather, falls into the Humber. It is navigable up wards of 100 miles.
The general character of the Trent, is that of a full transparent stream. It flows among rich meadows, and through populous districts ; but unless increased by floods, it in no respect, and in no part of its course, resembles the rivers of the north of England. Soot. after it passes Newcastle-under-Lyne, it meets with the numerous canals which abound in this manufacturing district : these frequently follow a course parallel with it, through the pleasant valley near Stone. After its junction with the Blythe, Taine; Soar, Dove, Derwent, and Erwark, it becomes a considerable stream, flowing through a range of beautiful and fertile meadows, bound ed by finely wooded hills, and chequered with villages. After passing Nottingham, another rich vale receives it, with the hills of the forest of Sherwood on the left. Before it reaches the town of Newark, it divides itself into two streams, one of which washes the walls of that place, and the other passes by Kelham : the two branches again unite a little below, in a broad plain, which gradu ally declines in beauty as it becomes more level. Here the surrounding flat seldom permits the Trent to be dis tinguished. With the assistance of the tide, vessels of some burden can navigate it as far as Gainsborough. After passing this town, it flows through a range of fens, without any distinguishing feature, till joining the York shire Ouse, the grand estuary of the Humber is formed, which divides Yorkshire from Lincolnshire.