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the tops of the mountains, and a way over, or round them, is
never very difficult to find. The inhabitants of the dales are
served with turf-fuel from these mosses, and the manner of
procuring it is very singular: a man carries on his back a sledge
to the top of the mountain, and conducts it down the most awful
descents, by placing himself before it to prevent its running
amain. For this purpose a narrow furrow is cut in the mountain's
side, which serves for a road to direct the sledge, and to pitch
the conductor's heel in.- A sledge holds one-half of what a horse
can draw on good road.
The mountains here are separated by wooded glens, verdant dells,
and fertile vales, which, besides forming a pleasing contrast,
relieve the imagination with delighted ideas, that the
inhabitants of these rude regions are far removed from the want
of the necessaries of life, for themselves, their herds, and
flocks, during the exclusion-months from the rest of the
community, by the winter snows. About Rosthwaite, in the centre
of the dale, fields wave with crops, and meadows are enamelled
with flowery grass. This little delightful Eden is marked with
every degree of industry by the laborious inhabitants, who
partake of the character of the country they live in, for they
are hospitable, civil, and communicative,
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