|
|
|
Page 254:-
mile broad. For near three miles it had something in its
appearance very striking to the naturalist: there were high
precipices of limestone rock on each side; and the intermediate
vale, to a lively imagination, would seem once to have been of
the same height, but sunk down by the breaking of pillars, which
had supported the roof of an enormous vault.- About three miles
from Ingleton is the head of the river Wease, or Greta, on the
left hand side of the road, only a few yards distant from it. It
gushes out of several fountains at once, all within twenty or
thirty yards of each other; having run about two miles under
ground, though making its appearance in two or three places
within that distance. When there are floods, its runs also above
ground, though not in all places, except the rains are
extraordinary great. This the subterranean river mentioned by Dr.
Goldsmith in his entertaining Natural history, (vol. 1st,) by the
name of Greatah.
When we had gone about a mile farther, being four miles from
Ingleton, we turned off the turnpike-road to some houses near the
chapel, where we left our horses. At first we imagined we had
here met with an exception to the maxim of poet Butler, the
author of Hudibras, viz.-
A Jesuit never took in hand
To plant a church in barren land.
For the chapelry produceth neither wheat, oats, barley, pease,
nor any other sort of grain; nor apples, pears, plums, cherries,
nor any kind of fruit - a ripe gooseberry was a natural curiosity
in the summer season, in most parts of the district; even their
potatoes they have from other places. Yet though they were
destitute of these productions, they were blessed with others as
valuable, by way of compensation. They abound with excellent hay
ground and pastures, and were rich in large flocks, and herds of
cattle, which enabled them to purchase every conveniency of life.
Having little intercourse with the luxurious, vicious, and
designing part of mankind, they were temperate, substantial,
sincere, and hospitable. We found an intelligent, agreeable, and
entertain-
|
