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Gentleman's Magazine 1792 p.883
the look of a step over a mill stream. Although I am not
versed in antiquities, I cannot help thinking this chasm
resembles the kistvaens of the Druids, as described
by the learned and indefatigable Grose, in his Preface,
p.136. I wish some Antiquary would investigate this
mountain. I think his fellow labourers would be obliged to
him; and, at any rate, if he does not find sufficient to
authenticate my surmise, he will have so delightful a
command around him as may well re-pay him for his trouble,
and, I trust, may induce him to think he has not taken his
labour in vain. By dropping a pebble down a rent, you may
hear it rebound a long time. One bending stone serves as a
shelter for sheep, where we found a mushroom, the only one
we saw in the North; and I even think this stone, from its
bend, is part of a Cromlech of the Druids.
The circumference of the crag, including its mis-shapen
points, may be a mile; and where there is any soil the grass
is remarkably sweet. From this unfrequented point to the
North-east we saw the whole of Windermere, Esthwaite water;
and, by Grassmere lake being our point, they make a complete
triangle, divided by rich pastures, &c. whilst the
valley and its appendages, directly under us, seemed to
contain every thing that can be beautiful in miniature.
We overlooked the Tarn*, whence White-Church Gill has
its course, inclosed in the horse-shoe, whose sides are
bespangled with smooth stones, occasioned by a thin sheet of
water oozing over them, and an almost perpendicular sun.
We observed, over Helveylin and the grain† of Seat
Sandal, a torrent of rain; whilst over Bowness, and to the
South east, it was so partially collecting, the distance
gave them the appearance of water-spouts. We imagined we had
nothing to fear from any of them; it was clear over head,
and in the quarter whence the wind blew. The guide had
scarcley said so, ere we observed the clouds from Seat
Sandal pushing against the wind, though they were
considerably exhausted on those mountains. We were soon
convinced of our ill-judging, and took shelter in the
sheep-cove, which, by sitting, and bending, held us secure.
This was too confined a situation; and, as the rain had
somewhat ceased, the guide and I went about 150 yards down
the hill. The rain increased, and wetted us to the skin; but
we were amply re-paid by the most luminous sight I had ever
beheld. I shall attempt to describe it.
The sun shone with such brilliancy through the slanting
drops, they fell resembling a line of crystal as round as a
finger, and they were intermixed with a spray as variegated
as the rainbow. Newton, who has been all his life accustomed
to mountains, allowed he never saw any thing like it before.
Might it not be owing to the dark heath over the Tarn, and a
partial shining of the sun over the crag?
Too much rain had fallen to render the grass less slippery;
we were obliged to traverse down the hill with the utmost
caution, and, though not with so much difficulty as the
acsent, with considerably more danger. When we opened the
valley of Seat Sandal, we were surprised by a superb
cataract, occasioned by the rain which fell whilst we were
upon the summit. God forgive me! but I could not help
wishing and expecting we should have a thunder storm.
Let the considerate mind contemplate the various sights that
were presented to us in so short a time!
A RAMBLER.
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