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Page 125:-
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book 4
chapter 4
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CHAP. IV.
Rydale -- unnoticed by Mr Gray -- Account of it -- Manor
of Rydale -- Family of the Flemings -- Causeway made by a
clergyman and his scholars -- Arrival at Ambleside.
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Rydal Water
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LEAVING Grassmere, and descending along the common, we see
Rydale or Rydall-Water. This is a pretty
little Lake three quarters of a mile long, spotted
beautifully with little islands, and surrounded with broken
stupendous mountains. Next descend to the slate quarry at
the bottom of the hill called White Moss quarry: The
vein of slate is now worn out, but produced, not above two
years ago, as good slate as any in England, only difficult
to work, and attended with a great expence. This quarry
being so near the road, was entertaining to many curious
travellers, who wished to see the manner of raising and
working the slate. On the left is a very rugged mountain
covered with wood halfway up from its base: on the right
lyes the Lake, close by whose side is a very good road,
which makes it extremely agreeable to the traveller in this
wilderness.
This little Lake affords two or three very good views: Mr
Farrington has made choice of one from the low end, which I
do not much admire, as the station is rather too low; but Mr
Hannan took two others, which I like better. I, however,
already described so many that I will leave the traveller
chuse for himself, and those who may read this, and not
travel, have already had enough of description: let it
suffice then to say, that this Lake hath several little
islands upon it, and is surrounded with woods and mountains,
and that the largest island is covered with wood, and has a
small house upon it, so that we have variety enough; but
there is not one station where the landscape closes, both on
the right and the left.
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Rydal
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Rydale is a small scattered village; the hall, with
the manor, belongs to Sir Michael le Fleming, Baronet,
member of parliament for the county of Westmorland. The hall
stands upon a rising ground above the village, and is a
beautiful retreat, situated in a pleasant country, and
sheltered from the North and East by tall oaks of many
hundred years growth; it commands an extensive view of
Winandermere, and on a still evening is made yet more
delightful by the softened noises of distant water-falls,
which the echoes reverberate in an infinite variety of
tones. Mr Gray passed this place, like many others, in
silence; perhaps he might think that the large old-fashioned
fabric, as he calls it, could afford nothing entertaining.
Two rivers meet here; the one flows from Grassmere,
(beginning at Dunmail-Rays,) into Rydale-water, when passing
the village it joins the other; this runs from Rydale-head
through Rydale-park, forming two noble cascades, (one of
which is near the hall.) The two streams, when joined, take
the name of Rothay, which runs with a variety of
windings into Winandermere. Neither Mr Farrington, Mr West,
nor any other of our tourists or painters tell us of a
landscape here. Mr Gray valued one at Vicarage near
Keswick at L.1000, I should value this at L.1500. The
view is taken from a little hill on the other side of
Rydale-Beck; two bridges and serpentine rivers are
seen in front; close behind, on an ascent, is
Rydale-Hall, the village of Rydale, and a pretty
house of George Knott, Esquire; then the woods, intersected
by cascades, hastily rise to the stupendous mountains, which
make up the back ground. All these are at a small distance,
and the hanging gardens of Rydale-Hall add not a little to
the view.
Rydale is in the parish of Grassmere, which takes in
half the town of Ambleside; the
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water
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gazetteer links
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-- Heron Island
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-- Rydal Beck
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-- "Rydale Hall" -- Rydal Hall
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-- "Rydale Water" -- Rydal Water
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-- "Rydale" -- Rydal
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-- "White Moss Quarry" -- White Moss Slate Quarry
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