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No. 45.
STOCKLEY BRIDGE.
This is the last bridge in Borrrowdale on the road from
Rosthwaite to Wastdale Head; and is over a Gill, tumbling
down the southern side of the mountain Sprinkling, which
mountain is the back-ground of this scene.
From Stockley Bridge, the road, which is only for foot and
horse people, is up the northern side of Sprinkling, and
passing Sty Head Tarn to Sty Head, displays a most
stupendous view of the Wastdale mountains, having the steep
and rugged sides of Lingmell and Great Gable as screens.
The road descends precipitately on
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the side of Gable, though not in a line tolerably straight,
but bearing occasionally to every point of the compass; and
many a traveller will be affrighted with the prospect of
rocks, which, wildly projecting from the surface of the
mountain, seem ready to hurl destruction on him; at last he
meets with ground somewhat less perpendicular, and more
polished than that he has left, for it is of soft turf; and,
travelling a mile or two, arrives among the peaceful
inhabitants at Wastdale Head.
At Wastdale Head are six dwellings: In this dale the wood is
scanty, but as it thrives well, it is a pity the shepherds
do not plant more; for, by so doing, they would make this
sequestered region a pastoral Paradise: From the highest
house in the valley it is scarcely two miles to the head of
Wast Water.
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