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Page 117:-
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book 4
chapter 2
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CHAP. II.
Dale-head-hall, -- The Leathes family, -- Thyrillmere, or
Leathes-water -- Clark's leap -- Wythburn, its customs, --
Dunmail-Rays, -- Remarks on the County of Cumberland at
leaving it.
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Dalehead Hall
Leathes Family
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CROSSING the two bridges, (see plate IX.) we enter the manor
of Legberthwaite, the property of Thomas Leathes,
Esq; it consists of ten tenements, all arbitrary, which
yield together about L.3 per annum. The family of
Leathes came from a place of the same name near Wigton in
Cumberland, and their present mansion is at
Dale-head, or Lyberthwaite-dale-head; they are a very
ancient and respectable family, and the grand-father of the
present representative was High Sheriff of the county of
Cumberland.
Down Stibray gill, a little above Stanah, is a
fine cascade in wet weather; and above Brotto, (see
plate IX.) is a curious channel in a rock, through which the
water flows down a very steep descent; this channel is five
or six yards deep, and not more than half a yard wide; the
sides are smooth as if cut and polished by art, but whether
it has been so, or formed by the continual friction of the
water, or is merely a chasm in the rock, I cannot determine.
This valley is inclosed on every side by high and rugged
mountains; that on the right hand called Great How,
is tolerably variegated with wood, as far as Mr Leathe's
inclosures and house. The house stands pleasantly, and has a
beautiful view of the lake; but in my opinion rather too
high.
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Armboth
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From the top of the hill in Leathes Park † is
a view of Armboth, which is situated on the other
side of the lake; the sight is very unexpected, and exhibits
a few cottages sheltered from the north, surrounded by fine
rich cultivated plains, with the lake in front: at this
sweet retirement lives Mr Jackson, who possesses the manor,
which is small, but abounds in game; he likewise claims a
right of navigation upon the lake.
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Thirlmere
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Thyrillmere belongs to Thomas Leathes, Esq; but is of
small value for fish; there are none indeed found here but a
few pike and trout. The form of it much resembles that of a
bee or pismire, as it is so narrow in the middle, that there
is a bridge across it; at each end it swells out to a
considerable extent, as may be seen in the plan. The
mountain which bounds one side of the lake is Helveylin, as
far as Swirls-gate ‡; on the other (from
Armboth to Wythburn,) is called the Deer-garth.
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Clark's Leap
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Passing Swirl's-Gate, a little beyond the seven mile-post,
is seen a rock jutting out into the Lake which has got the
name of Clark's-Leap, from the following strange
story: A man of the name of Clark was jealous of his wife to
that degree he was resolved to put an end to his own
existence. He communicated his resolution to his wife, and
told her at the same time, that he was determined to hang
himself: to this she objected, for fear it might prove too
painful: he then said he would shoot himself; but from this
she likewise dissuaded him, for fear he might not kill
himself outright, and so suffer extreme pain to no purpose:
he next proposed to drown himself; this pleased her, and
they went lovingly together to the water's edge: he then
proposed to wade in,
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but
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† Park does not always in this country imply a
deer-park; but frequently any inclosure ground not capable
of cultivation. Perhaps it may be derived from Paddock,
which signifies a small field or Intack.
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‡ Swirls-gate signifies (I believe) Squirrels-gate,
as the word Swirl is in this country used for a Squirrel.
The situation of this hill indeed argues as much as it was
within these few years covered with wood of various kinds,
and was the resort of those nimble quadrupeds.
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gazetteer links
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-- "Armboth" -- Armboth
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-- "Clark's Leap" -- Clark's Leap
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-- "Dalehead" -- Dalehead Hall
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-- "Great How" -- Great How
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-- "Legberthwaite" -- Legburthwaite
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-- "Stibray Gill" -- Sty Beck
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-- "Thyrillmere" -- Thirlmere
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-- (waterfall, Fisherplace Gill)
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