|
Page 138:-
"common scythe shaft at the thickest part. This is the best
information I can give you, and what has always been common
report. I am, SIR,
"Yours, &c.
MATT. BIRKET.
Kentmere, the 1st of March 1786.
"P.S. I think the man's name was Hugh Herd."
It may seem strange that the name of so remarkable a man
should be so ill ascertained: this paradox may partly be
solved, if we recollect that he did not know his own
name, and that perhaps the clergyman of the parish
might, previous to his death, give him baptism; least that
sacrament should, in the rude manner of his early education,
have been neglected. Gilpin is a common name in this
country, and might probably be the name of his sponsor.
|
|
We will now re-embark, and sailing past Rayrigg, fall down a
part of the Lake resembling the Archipelago, to the great
island, and there land. This island belongs to John
Christian, Esq; member of parliament for the city of
Carlisle, who had it with his wife, a miss Curwen of
Workington-Hall in the county of Cumberland, being the last
of that name there.
Of this ancient family Mr Cambden says he himself descended
by the mother's side, and who, according to that author,
"fetch their descent from Gospatrick Earl of Northumberland;
and they took their surname from Culwen, a family in
Galloway in Scotland, the heir whereof they had married." It
is very likely they were of Scottish extraction, for Mary
Queen of Scots fled hither. They are the most ancient family
in Cumberland that I know of; always residing there, and
always having male-heirs till now. Mrs Christian (when Miss
Curwen,) like many others, wanting a seat near some of the
Lakes, purchased a place beautifully-enough situated at the
low end of Bassenthwaite Lake, called Ouzebridge: this she
deserted almost, after that she had purchased the island of
Mr English, who had bought it of a Mr Barlow, and laid out a
considerable sum of money on the house and gardens. These,
however, Mr Hutchinson found great fault with in his Guide
to the Lakes, published in 1770. I shall give his own words,
and let the reader judge himself:- "The few natural beauties
of this island are wounded and distorted by some ugly rows
of firs set in right lines, and by the works now carrying on
by Mr English the proprietor; who is laying out gardens on a
square plan, building fruit-walls, and planning to erect a
mansion-house there. The want of taste is a misfortune too
often attending the opulent, (a pretty compliment paid to
the opulent!) The romantic seite of this place, on so noble
a lake, and surrounded with such scenes, asked for the plan
of an edifice and pleasure grounds: But instead of that, to
see a Dutch burgomaster's palace arise on this place; to see
a cabbage-garth extend its bosom to the East, squared and
cut out at right angles, is so offensive to the eye of the
traveller, that he turns away with disgust. For pleasure, or
for ornament, a narrow footpath is cut round the margin of
the island, and laid with white sand; resembling the dusty
paths of foot passengers over Stepney fields, or the way
along which the owner often has heyed to Hackney."
Mr West says, "Of this sequestered spot Mr Young speaks in
rapture; and Mr Pennant has done it much honour by his
description: But, alas! it is no more to be seen in that
beautiful unaffected state in which those gentlemen saw it.
The sweet secreted
|
Lakes Guides menu.
