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into ridges and worn into furrows, forming a scene of
wildness and grandeur. Between this and the Man-mountain, is
a deep valley, from which the Old Man rises abruptly, and in
some places perpendicularly. One half is covered with rocks
and stones, the other with vegetation. The ascent is
pleasant, safe, and comfortable. On the summit are three
beacons of stone - the Old Man, his Wife, and Son. From it,
there is a complete view of the fine bays and estuaries of
the Lancashire, and part of the Cumberland coasts - the
isles of Walney and Man - and in a very favourable state of
the atmosphere, the Snowdonian range in Wales. The road may
be traced from the top to Low Water, a tarn lying just
beneath. Proceeding in a northerly direction under the
summit of the Old Man, Levens Water is discovered, a tarn
about a mile in circumference, open only towards the south,
being enclosed in every other direction, and making a
beautiful picture with part of Coniston Water, the hills
about Nibthwaite, and beyond, a strip of sea reaching
westward from the river Leven. The descent to Coniston, by
the side of the stream flowing out of the tarn, is easy and
picturesque.
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