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Gentleman's Magazine 1805 p.806
Hackfall, Masham, Middleham, Askrig,
... ...
... forward to Sedbergh, and in our way saw Hardraw force.
Its perpendicular height is considerable, and the eye
unaccustomed to these objects follows the precipitation of
the water into the gulph beneath with a sensation of horror.
The country assumed a more interesting face as we drew nigh
to Sedbergh, than we had seen for miles. On approaching
Kendal, across open and dreary moors, our attention was
arrested by the bold, black summits of Westmoreland,
terminating the horizon. Towards evening we crossed the
river Kent, and after a hasty meal in the moping town of
Kendal, hurried through Stavely and Ings to catch the sun's
last lingering rays on the mountains. The Lake of
Winandermere burst upon us in all its tranquil glory, as we
approached Bowness, a little village on its Eastern shore.
For a few minutes we were tempted to quit our chaise, and
walked about 200 yards to the gate of a meadow, which
commended the most central view of the Lake. Here,
and at this moment; the novelty of the scenery, the
serenity of the evening, the glassy stillness of the water,
the terrible grandeur of the mountains, and the little
hamlets couching at their feet, inspired a charm peculiar to
first impressions, and evanescent as the monent that gave it
birth! Winding round its cultivated banks, the prospect
varying at every turn, we took shelter in the delicious
repose of Low Wood, a spot which I soon ventured to predict,
would, at no very distant period, become the favourite
resort of every Northern traveller who has any correct taste
for the wild or beautiful in Nature!
(To be continued.)
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