The mountains harmonize with the valleys, and give effect to the scene. They are seldom indented or notch ed, and never shapeless. The most remarkable arc, the Skyrryd, or St. Michael's Mount, the Sugar Loaf, and the Blorengc. The ridge of the Skyrryd is about a mile in length, seldom more than 40 or 50 feet broad, and in some places only 10 or 12. Its insulated situation, ab rupt declivity, and cragged fissures, produce a very striking effect, though its elevation is not very consider able. The highest part, according to General Roy, is 1498 feet. It is divided into two unequal parts, by a separation which, viewed from the west, seems an enor mous chasm. The superstition of the county dates this rent at the crucifixion of our Saviour. Hence the na tives generally call it the Holy Mountain. The chasm is not less than 300 feet in breadth. The view from this mountain is very extensive ; in some parts rich and beautiful, in other points picturesque, and even sublime. The Sugar Loaf is higher than the Skyrryd, regular and beautiful, and its outline smooth and soft. The highest point rises 1852 feet above the mouth of the Gavenny. The ascent is so extremely easy, that a light carriage may be driven within 100 paces of the summit, which is an undulating ridge, about mile in length, and 200 yards in breadth. The view from it commands the counties of Radnor, Shropshire, Brecon, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Hereford, Worcester, Gloucester, Somerset, and Wilts, and of course comprises all varieties of sce nery. The Blo•enge mountain forms part of the chain which extends from the confines of Brecon to Panteg, below Pontypool. It forms the north-east boundary of the valley, called Avon Lwyd. It enters into the corn i.osition of some beautiful landscapes, but cannot bear a comparison with the Skyrryd or Sugar Loaf.
Another peculiarity of this county consists in its wood lands, forests, and chaces, some of which are still of great extent, though most of them have been diminish ed by grants. The forest of \Ventword seems to have been o:•c of the most considerable, and even yet com prises nearly 2170 acres, thickly covered with timber trees and underwood. Besides the two grand natural divisions of this county formed by the Usk, there is a rich and extensive plain on the shore of the Severn, called Caldicot Level, or the Vale of 'Froggy, and the level of \Ventlog. The former extends from the village of Caldicot, nearly the whole way to Goldcliff, and con sists of a large tract of land recovered from the sea. Some parts of the walls, which have been erected at a -very great expense, are 12 or 14 feet high, falling back from the sea by a gradual slope. The masonry is flank ed by a strong embankment of earth. Near the western extremity rises a promontory, almost surrounded by the sea, called Goldcliff. It rises abruptly to the height of about 60 feet. In an extent of 16 miles, this rock is the only natural barrier against the encroachments of the sea. It consists of limestone lying horizontally, inter sected with siliceous crystallizations above a large bed of mica. The level of \Ventlog, like that of Caldicot, is perfectly fiat, and defended from the encroachments of the sea by embankments. It stretches from east to west between the rivers Usk and Rumney ; and from north to south between the Bristol Channel and a ridge of hills. The ground in both these levels is cut into parallel
ditches : in some the water stagnates ; in others it runs in streams, which fall into the sea through flood-gates. From this view of the surface of Monmouthshire, it ap pears that nearly one-third of it is a rock-plain on the shores of the Severn and Bristol Channel ; one-third con sists of ground, the surface of which is beautifully varie gated, the hillocks being cultivated or woody, and nu merous streams running through it ; and " one-third assumes the mildest character of mountains, abounding with lovely valleys." The soil of the whole county is of various kinds, but generally rich and fertile, lying on limestone. The climate is mild and temperate, except on the highest mountains, where it is sometimes very cold. It has been remarked, that the fogs seem to shift periodically ; fur some days they rest on the mountains, while the valleys are free from them ; and then suddenly the valleys are exposed to them for some days, and the tops of the mountains are clear.
The rivers contribute much to the picturesque beau ties of this county. The principal are the Wye, Usk, and the Rumney. The tributary and inferior streams are the 1\lynnow, the Trothy, the Ehwy, the Avon, the Pill, and Kebby. The Wye is justly deemed the most picturesque river in England. It enters Monmouthshire near its junction with the Mynnow. The banks of the Wye at this place are rich with wood and verdure. A little below it is joined by the Trothy. Below Redbrook it forms a grand sweep, flowing into an abyss between two ranges of lofty hills, thickly covered with wood. Still lower down lies the singularly situated village of Llandogo, scattered among trees upon the side of a hill. Here the river forms a smooth bay ; and the effect of the whole scene is greatly heightened by a beautiful back ground, formed of some undulating hills. A little below this the river again takes a meandering course, and the fine ruins of Tintern Abbey break upon the view. After passing some cliffs, marshy land disfigures the banks of this river ; but these continue but for a short way, when the noble ruins of Chepstow Castle, placed on the highest point of an immense perpendicular rock, arrests the eye. Still further down the stream, the high impending screen of rocks on each side gives great effect to the scenery. This river is navigable to Here ford. At Chepstow, the tide sometimes rises to the height of 50 feet. The Usk rises in the mountains of Brecon, and enters Monmouthshire at Llangwnny. It is a clear stream, richly skirted with wood ; the moun tains, which stretch from Abergavenny to Pontypool, forming a magnificent back ground. Some parts of its banks do not suffer even when compared with those of_ the Wye, with respect to picturesque beauty. It is na vigable for barges up to Tredannoc Bridge. The Myn now rises in a lake at the foot of Mynnyd Maen, runs by Pontypool, passes under the canal, and joins the river Usk in the valley beneath. There are some lakes in this county, but none of them remarkable either for size or picturesque beauty. The largest is that from which the Mynnow takes its rise. It is two miles in circum ference, and stretches along the foot of the north-east extremity of Mynnyd Maen. It forms the reservoir of the Monmouthshire canal.