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page xix
such situations having been chosen in disturbed times to
elude marauders.
The Trunk, or Body of the Vale of Ullswater need not be
further noticed, as its beauties show themselves: but the
curious Traveller may wish to know something of its
tributary Streams.
At Dalemain, about three miles from Penrith, a Stream is
crossed called the Dacre, or Dacor, which name it bore as
early as the time of the Venerable Bede. This stream does
not enter the Lake, but joins the Eamont a mile below. It
rises in the moorish Country about Penruddock, flows down a
soft sequestered Valley, passing by the ancient mansions of
Hutton John and Dacre Castle. The former is pleasantly
situated, though of character somewhat gloomy and monastic,
and from some of the fields near Dalemain, Dacre Castle,
backed by the jagged summit of Saddle-back, with the Valley
and Stream in front, forms a grand picture. There is no
other stream that conducts to any glen or valley worthy of
being mentioned, till we reach that which leads up to
Ara-force, and thence into Matterdale, before spoken of.
Matterdale, though a wild and interesting spot, has no
peculiar features that would make it worth the Stranger's
while to go in search of them; but, in Gowbarrow Park, the
lover of Nature might linger for hours. Here is a powerful
Brook, which dashes among rocks through a deep glen, hung on
every side with a rich and happy
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