Not," said I, lifting up my voice, "that I would for a moment compare walking on the level ground to mountain ranging, pacing along the road to springing up crags like a mountain goat, or assert that even Powell himself, the first of all road walkers, was entitled to so bright a wreath of fame as the Snowdon Ranger." "Won't you walk in, sir ?" said the elderly man.
"No, I thank you," said I, "I prefer sitting out here gazing on the lake and the noble mountains." "I wish you would, sir," said the elderly man, "and take a glass of something; I will charge you nothing." "Thank you," said I, "I am in want of nothing, and shall presently start.
Do many people ascend Snowdon from your house ?" "Not so many as I could wish," said the ranger; "people in general prefer ascending Snowdon from that trumpery place Beth Gelert; but those who do are fools--begging your honour's pardon.

The place to ascend Snowdon from is my house.

The way from my house up Snowdon is wonderful for the romantic scenery which it affords; that from Beth Gelert can't be named in the same day with it for scenery; moreover, from my house you may have the best guide in Wales; whereas the guides of Beth Gelert--but I say nothing.

If your honour is bound for the Wyddfa, as I suppose you are, you had better start from my house to-morrow under my guidance." "I have already been up the Wyddfa from Llanberis," said I, "and am now going through Beth Gelert to Llangollen, where my family are; were I going up Snowdon again I should most certainly start from your house under your guidance, and were I not in a hurry at present, I would certainly take up my quarters here for a week, and every day snake excursions with you into the recesses of Eryri.

I suppose you are acquainted with all the secrets of the hills ?" "Trust the old ranger for that, your honour.