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After the wood was cut, none of the trees appearing likely
to sprout again, the farmer, Mr Scott, dug them all up and
ploughed the ground. His manner of ploughing it deserves
notice; he begun at the base of the hill, and ploughed in a
spiral to the top, so that one ridge and one furrow covers
the whole space. It will soon be laid down to grass, and
will then afford an excellent station for the
landscape-painter: Mr Hannan, (who was the first that I
remember as coming for the purpose of drawing,) admired this
view the most of any in the country. Mr Smith, Mr Grey, and
every other painter likewise highly approved it, and at
present it is much more beautiful than it was at that time,
owing to the many improvements made on the islands and
environs of the Lake.
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On the side of this hill the spectators of the Regatta are
placed, (I mean such as are not in boats, or at the fort
upon Pocklington's Island for its defence,) also the
marquees and tents. This is an amusement only lately
introduced; the first was at Bassenthwaite-Water on the 24th
August 1780, of which in its place. The first at Keswick was
the 28th August 1781; of this I shall give Mr Ware's
account, which has been much admired, as I did not attend it
myself.
He says, "At eight o'clock in the morning, a vast concourse
of ladies and gentlemen appeared on the side of the Derwent
Lake, where a number of marquees, extending about 400 yards,
were erected for their accommodation. At twelve, such of the
company as were invited by Mr Pocklington passed over in
boats to the island which bears his name; and on their
landing were saluted by a discharge of his artillery, (which
are one nine pounder and five four pounders.) This might
properly be called the opening of the Regatta; for as soon
as the echo of this discharge had ceased, a signal gun was
fired, and five boats which lay upon their oars, (on that
part of the water which runs nearest the town of Keswick,)
instantly pushed off the shore and began the race. W view
from any of the attendant boats, (of which there were
several,) presented a scene which beggars all description.
The sides of the hoary mountains were clad with spectators,
and the glassy surface of the Lake was variegated with
numbers of pleasure barges, which, tricked out in all the
gayest colours, and glittering in the rays of the meridian
sun, gave a new appearance to the celebrated beauties of
this matchless vale.
"The contending boats passed Pocklington's Island, and
rounding St Herbert's and Rampsholme, edged down by the
outside Lord's Island; describing in the race almost a
perfect circle, and, during the greatest part of it, in full
view of the company.
"About three o'clock preparations were made for the
sham-attack on Pocklington's Island. The fleet, (consisting
of several barges, armed with small cannon and musquets,)
retired out of view, behind Friar-Cragg, to prepare for
action; previous to which a flag of truce was sent to the
governor, with a summons to surrender upon honourable terms.
A defiance was returned; soon after which the fleet was seen
advancing with great spirit before the batteries, and
instantly forming in a curved line, a terrible cannonading
began on both sides, accompanied with a dreadful discharge
of musquetry. This continued for some time, and being echoed
from hill to hill in an amazing variety of sounds, filled
the ear with whatever could produce astonishment and awe.
All nature seemed to be in an uproar; which impressed on the
awakened imagination the most lively ideas of the "war of
elements," and "crush of worlds." After a severe
conflict, the enemies were driven from the attack in great
disorder. A feu-de-joye was then fired in the fort,
and oft repeated by the responsive echoes. The fleet, after
a little delay, formed again; and practising a variety of
beautiful manoeuvres, renewed the attack. Uproar again
sprung up, and the deep-toned echoes of the mountains again
joined in solemn chorus; which was heard, to the distance of
ten leagues to leeward, through the easterly opening of that
vast amphitheatre, as far as Appleby.
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