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Page 28:-
craggy rock; and by the violence of its fall raises a vapour
or mist that reflects the suns rays into the most vivid
prismatic colours.
A road from Lyulph's Tower conducts us over a little bridge,
then passing through a gate, a little foot-path branches off
to the right, and leads to the Cascade.
In order to view it to advantage, the traveller should
descend pretty low into the dark vale through which the
water flows; but as this requires both courage and agility,
many decline the attempt: the oblique rays of an evening
sun, and the swelling of the waters by rain, likewise
contribute not a little to the terrible beauties of this
place. If, however, the spectator can summon up resolution
to descend, he will see such a scene as will amply repay the
terrors of the attempt. A clear pellucid stream is seen to
issue from the mouth of a seeming cave, (for the rock is
worn down by the long-continued violence of the waters, and
shrubs and plants form a gloomy arcade over the channel,)
the torrent then leaves the rock, and falls near 20 yards,
forming an arch of liquid chrystal: it then seems to return
to the rock, when it is dashed into foam and vapour, with
prodigious noise. In this state it flows about twelve yards,
when it again collects and plunges precipitately into a
dismal abyss, (impervious to the eye,) where it is heard
roaring and howling for a passage. In this darksome cavern
it runs some small distance, when it again peeps out, and
then quietly proceeds in an obscure channel to the Lake. The
bason into which this cataract pours itself is very deep,
and seems to have been worn by the continual force of the
water exerted during so many ages.
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fish, Aira Beck
Sandwich Beck
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It may seem surprising that the river above the Force
is more plentifully stocked with fish than it is below. This
is the more extraordinary, as it is quite impossible for
them to have either ascended or descended through this
cataract: however, the relation of the manner of supplying a
neighbouring and similar stream, may in some measure account
for it. The rivulet here alluded to is Sandwich Beck, and
the story is as follows:
One Thomas Clarke of How-Town, in his youth, (when he was
apprentice to a weaver,) got leave to go, in company with
another young man, to Patterdale Fair: in their road they
amused themselves with fishing; when observing that it was
spawning-time, (as Patterdale Fair is held the first Monday
after Old Michaelmas,) they took it into their heads to try
if they could supply Sandwich Beck, above the Force or Fall,
with fish, there being none there at that time. Accordingly
they carried six fish, three males and as many females, in a
pail of water to the place proposed, and put them in the
spot they thought likeliest for their preservation.
Next year they visited the brook, when they saw some of the
original stock, and many more of a smaller size, from three
to four inches long. In about four years anglers resorted to
the place, and caught numbers of fine fish, about half a
pound weight. The brook has since been much frequented, and
continues to this day well supplied: but it is remarkable,
though many years have now elapsed since fish were caught
there, none have ever been taken exceeding half a pound.
We may not improbably conclude, that the water above Airey
has been originally stocked in the same manner. This is
farther probable, when we consider that the inhabitants
enjoy in this country much ease, and at the same time are
possessed of very active, prying dispositions; dispositions
not to be concluded from their unpolished hu[s]k, but
requiring the acquaintance and confidence of the men, before
they can be discerned by even the most accurate observer.
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Aira, tenure
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Tradition tells us, that the adjoining lands, which go by
the name of Airey, were formerly the property of a chieftan
who fell in battle: upon this, his servants, five in number,
divided their late master's estates amongst themselves, each
taking such a parcel of ground as should include an equal
value, and partake of every variety of soil.
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Several
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gazetteer links
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-- Aira Beck
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-- "Airey Force" -- Aira Force
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-- "Airey" -- Aira
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-- Sandwick Beck
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