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DUNMAIL RAISE
Is a cairn or burrow of stones, marking the place where the
last king of Cumbria was defeated by the Saxon Edmund, who
put out the eyes of the son before the father's face, wasted
his kingdom, and then gave it to Malcolm, king of Scotland,
to hold in fealty. The wall dividing the counties is built
over it, and the road is partly cut through it. This gap is
seven hundred and twenty feet above the sea.
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On the left are Steel Fell, the green cove of Wythburn Head,
and Nab Scar, and on the right are the bulwarks and
buttresses of Helvellyn. Immediately before the spectators,
are the chapel of Wythburn and inn, then the Lake, and
Skiddaw closing the end of the valley, which, from the
almost utter absence of wood, wears a cold and desolate
aspect. The Horse Head inn is an excellent resting-place,
and a guide, at a moderate charge, can be obtained here for
the ascent of Helvellyn, which is most easily accomplished
from this place. Whilst the luncheon is preparing, let the
tourist take a look at the little chapel on the opposite
side of the road; it is an advanced post of Crosthwaite
Church, and is one of five similarly situated. The building
does not claim much attention, being small, yet commodious;
but unfortunately for the dalesmen, the chapel-yard is
unconsecrated, and thus one source of useful and
heart-softening reflections, arising from the sight of their
relations' graves, is closed to them.
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