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Page 30:-
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| To the taker, or killer of a
Fox, | 10
groats | To the killer of a
Marten, | 3
groats |
| Of a Fox's Cub, | 3 | Of a Wild
Cat, | 2 |
| Of an Eagle, | 5 | Of a
Raven, | 1 |
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They likewise procured the swiftest fox-hounds * from
the mountainous environs of Keswick, &c.; skilful
sportsmen were also hired to attend with guns, and every
other engine, for the destruction of these annoyers.
Witsun-week, A.D. 1759, was fixed upon for the attack, when
I myself was an eye-witness to the death of twelve foxes
within the week. The sum-total of vermin destroyed, were
fifteen foxes, seven badgers, twelve wild-cats, and nine
martens, (called here, by way of distinction, Clean Marts;)
besides a prodigious number of foul-marts, eagles, ravens,
gleads, &c. The wiles and policy of the foxes were truly
astonishing; such as jumping from the rocks upon trees
covered with ivy, where they would sometimes conceal
themselves, and defeat their pursuers; at other times they
run just within the edge of Ullswater, so that no scent
remained; and many other instances of sagacity, which, were
I disposed to trespass upon the patience of the reader, I
could relate. Gowbarrow Park contains about 2000 acres of
ground, and is admirably well adapted for the preservation
of deer, of which there are six or seven hundred; they
divide themselves into herds, and never intermix unless when
alarmed. As to the names by which they are at different ages
distinguished, I must refer my reader to that part of the
appendix wherein I propose to treat of the natural history
of this country.
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House Holm
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From Gowbarrow, next proceed to the pleasant little island
called Householm, though there is no vestige of an
house there. On the higher side is a good landing, and from
the island are some truly beautiful and picturesque views.
The rock affords an easy seat, and which ever way you turn
your eyes a varied and beautiful landscape meets them.
Mountain rises beyond mountain, rocks † are seen
piled upon rocks; their sides covered in some places with
trees which overhang the Lake; in others, rude, naked, bare
prominences seem to menace the peaceful scenes beneath.
Here, an herd of deer bound nimbly across an open glade;
there, a flock of mountain sheep, (little less active than
the former,) climb almost inaccessible precipices in search
of food: below, the peaceful cows move slowly down the
verdant bank to quench their thirst in the smooth limpid
lake, which reflects every object with softened beauties:
meantime, the solemn murmurs of distant cataracts lull every
ruder sensation asleep, and fit the mind for enjoying these
rural scenes in the manner they deserve. Notwithstanding the
inconceivable beauty of these prospects, they are by no
means well suited for the painter; every object is distinct,
it is true, but their too great number, and too great
distance, are insuperable obstacles to their appearance in a
picture.
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Glencoyne
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At the high end of Gowbarrow is Glencoyn, or
Glencune, a beautiful retreat for the Summer, but a
most dismal one during the Winter. The same rocky mountains
covered with wood, which, when decked with the gay foliage
of Summer, form a romantic picturesque hermitage, in the
Winter exclude the direct rays of the sun during the whole
months of November, December, and January.
Glencoyn consists of five customary tenements, held under
the Earl of Surrey's manor of Deep-Dale, and pays about
3l. 4s. per annum fineable rent, a
twenty-penny fine at the death of lord or tenant, and a
thirty-penny fine upon an alienation. The wood is free, and
so likewise is a fishery, which extends from Stibrah
to Hell-Beck in the lower end of Gowbarrow, for which
they pay to the Earl of Surrey an annual quit-rent of two
merks.
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Glencoyn
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* These hounds are so swift, that if they once view a
fox on tolerable ground, they are sure to kill him.
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† Some of these are not less than 840 yards
perpendicular, their sides overhanging, and the water 35
fathoms deep close to their bottoms.
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gazetteer links
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-- "Glencoyn" -- Glencoyne
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-- "Gowbarrow Park" -- (Gowbarrow Park, Matterdale
(CL13inc)2)
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-- "Householm" -- Norfolk Island
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-- (station, Norfolk Island)
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