|
|
Page 280:-
prospect. They are by the side of the vale along which descends
the river Wharf. Like those at Giggleswick, they extend in a line
to some distance; but are higher and more prominent. The road we
came along wound down amongst these crags, so that we were
presented with a full view of them on a sudden, which caused the
greater surprize.- After having refreshed ourselves at
Grassington, we travelled about nine miles farther, and came to
Skipton. The country all around us is uneven and rugged; the
vales are fertile on the surface, and the mountains beneath it
abound with rich mines of lead. After we had visited the castle
(which belongs to the Earl of Thanet) and the curious canal
behind it, above the mills, which leads to the limestone quarry,
by the side of a romantic deep glen, we left Skipton. Before our
departure we were for some time in doubt, whether we should
ascend the steep and black hill of Rombaldsmoor, and so proceed
down the vale of Wardale, one of the pleasantest in England, to
Otley, and so to Leeds; or go by Keighley, Bingly, and Bradford,
along the side of the new canal, and view the locks and other
contrivances on this new and useful work of art. Most of us
having been the former road, and this with its objects being
quite new, we were induced to proceed along it. At Kildwick,
about four miles from Skipton, we passed under this aqueduct,
where it was banked up a great height above the adjoining lands,
at a vast labour and expense. There have been some violent
struggles between the elements of earth and water - the mounds
have not always been able to keep the water within its proper
limits, they having oftener than once been broken through by the
pressure on their sides. About a mile further, at Streeton, we
could not but observe the steep ascent and descent of the road
over a hill, when a level path might have been made almost
equally near along the side of the river. The inconveniences that
must attend carriage in carts and waggons from such ill-concerted
roads, perhaps might suggest the expediency of a canal. The use
and practicability of such an undertaking in a mountainous
country, one would imagine, might give the inhabitants a hint to
make their roads wind with easy ascents and descent
|