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ARMATHWAITE
May also be reached by a direct and better carriage-road
leading to it from Wetheral, along the west side of the
river Eden. It lies on both sides of the river, which is
crossed by a bridge of three bold and graceful arches. The
Castle is a plain square tower, standing on the river's
bank, fitted up so as to meet the wants and comforts of
modern refinement. The chapel of ease is a rude picturesque
edifice, in the patronage of the owners of the Castle, and
incumbency of the Rev. W. Hudson. On the eastern side is the
elegant rural retreat of J. de Whelpdale, Esq., of
Bishopyards, Penrith, surrounded by lawns, and protected by
some fine plantations. An interesting walk through an avenue
of flourishing larches, leads for a mile along the margin of
a rapid eddying stream to the salmon leaps, where the Eden
pours over a rocky wear (sic), and forming part of the great
whinstone dyke, which crosses the island, stretching across
its whole breadth. Above, the water forms a deep, still,
lake-like scene, rocks shoot up perpendicularly out of it,
and the immense masses of the Cooms and Baron Wood cast over
it a deep gloomy shade:
'Awful scenes, that calm the troubled breast,
And woo the weary to profound repose.'
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