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Just at the head of Windermere, and a little short of Ambleside,
turn down a bye-road to the left, and see the vestige of a Roman
station. It lies in a meadow, on a level with the lake, and, as
supposed, was called the Dictis, where a part of the cohort
Nerviorum Dictenium was stationed. It is placed near the meetings
of all the roads from Penrith, Keswick, Ravenglass, Furness, and
Kendal, which it commanded, and was accessible only on one side.
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[1]
(Amboglana, Notit. Imper. Dictis. Horsley).- Though the author
has not mentioned the circumstance, it is supposed that the
natural beauties of this part of the country are equal in variety
and perfection to any to be seen in the tour, and that the lover
of landscape in viewing many an undescribed scene, would be
highly gratified and delighted. But it is judged best not to
descend into particulars. Let the admirer of rural nature please
himself in their discovery as well as examination.
Also, if the tourist love mountainous prospects, he may meet with
one, in about a three hour's ride from this place, that will not
fail to please him. It is on Low-pike, in Rydal-park, from whence
may be seen many of the lakes, as Rydal-water, Grasmere-water,
Windermere-water, Blencow-tarn, Elter-water, Esthwaite-water, and
Coniston-water, also the Isle of Walney, Pile of Foudry, the
whole of Duddon, Ulverston, Lancaster, and Millthorp Sands; the
mountain Ingleborough, and at an opening between two hills, the
hideous rocks of Borrowdale. A further walk of about an hour will
give view of Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Ulls-water, the Vale of St.
John, and other parts of Cumberland.- This mountainous excursion
over, the following lines may not unaptly be introduced to the
reader's notice.-
Descending now from AEther's pure domain,
By fancy borne to roam the nether plain,
Behold all-winning novelty display'd
Along the vale, the mountain, and the shade,
The scenes but late diminutive, resume
Their native grandeur, and their wonted bloom.
The woods expand their umbrage o'er the deep
And with ambitious aim ascend the steep,
Stage above stage, their vig'rous arms invade,
The tallest cliffs, and wrap them in the shade.
Each in its own pre-eminence regains
The high dominion of the subject plains
Smiling beneath, such smiles the people wear,
Happy in some paternal monarch's care.
Killarney
X.
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