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Of antiquities, British or Roman, and historical
associations, this country is rather barren. The mountains
themselves, and the fastnesses which they afforded, were a
sufficient barrier; and there was little in the frowning
masses, or in the deep, intricate, and unexplored glens,
which wound amongst them, to tempt invaders from the fertile
vales and rich alluvial plains which lie around them and
along the coast. A few Druidical circles are found here and
there, and rare though distinct traces of Roman forts and
camps are observable. The Norman conquerors, however, seem
to have left this tract wholly to itself: all the remains of
the castles being found on the outskirts, as Egremont,
Cockermouth, Brougham, and Kendal. Even the religious
enthusiasm of monachism scarcely advanced within the shadow
of the mountains, much less penetrated into their secluded
dales. Furness, Calder, St. Bees, and Holme Cultram abbeys,
are all in the open country. For a long period, indeed, the
population must either have been extremely small, or their
religious interests neglect-
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