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Giant's Caves,
Langwathby
Jan. 12.
Mr. URBAN,
IN vol.LXI. p.990, I read remarks on a cavern near Penrith,
vulgarly called The Giant's Cave. Led to visit that
place some years ago, I was surprized that so little could
be learned of its antient inhabitants, if ever more than one
took up residence there; but do not hesitate to determine it
was the habitation of some hermit. The recess cut in the
rock to receive the mattress is yet perfect; and the marks
of gratings and bolt-holes, with some remains of masonry,
shew that the retreat has been well secured. The situation
is romantic, and well adapted to religious severities: it is
also adjacent to the church of St. Ninian. I have met with
no records that give light to the subject: indeed, few
hermitages have left such evidences as that of St. Godric,
at Frichale, in the county of Durham. Even the famous
hermitage of Warkworth, in Northumberland, has left little
but tradition, though the beauty of the design, and
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