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If the tourist desires, (as it is to be hoped that he does)
to see one of the primitive valleys of the district,- one of
those recesses lapped in the mountains, where the sounds of
civilised life have hardly penetrated, let him now go to
Watendlath (locally called Wathendal) and descend into
Borrowdale by Rosthwaite. The circuit is one of 13 miles;
and it must be accomplished on foot or horseback; for there
is no carriage-road in the upper part. So few pass that way
that the women afford a remarkable specimen of the effects
of a life of excessive seclusion. The men go to markets and
sales, and have more use of their tongues and wits
accordingly. The road along the lake side is followed, till
it gives out a branch before reaching Barrow House. Up this
by-road the explorer goes, and passes behind and above
Barrow House, soon reaching the stream that feeds the Barrow
fall, which may be visited by strangers in the grounds
below. The upland valley runs parallel with the lower one;
and in it lies the clear circular pool which feeds the fall
of Lodore. Stout pedestrians say
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