Lonsdale Magazine, 1820, vol.1
p.77
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Lonsdale Magazine, 1820, vol.1 p.77
[circula]ting library of well selected books. Keswick is well calculated for a principal station, where the Tourist may take up his abode, and from which he may pursue the delightful amusement of making excursions to the different objects of curiosity in the neighbourhood. A few of these we shall briefly notice. The first that Mr. Green leads us to, is Barrow Cascade, "consisting of two falls; but the upper is artificial, and creditable to the taste of the late proprietor, Mr. Pocklington, who from its original channel diverted the course of the stream, to a perpendicular excavation of the rock over which the water, in a wet season, is hurled with thundering impetuosity, to a circular basin, from which it passes quickly to the top of the lower fall, whence, in varied and elegant boundings, it is agitated to the receiving gulph, in which it finds a temporary rest." Another grand and imposing object to which we are conducted is the Waterfall of Lowdore. "This magnificent scene, even if waterless, fills the mind with reverential awe. Gowder Crag, upon the left, broad, bold, and finely marked, rearing its aged head to an enormous, and to the eye, a painful height, overlooks the embattled projections of Shepherd's Crag upon the right. The chasm through which the river passes is immense, and in dry seasons the stones engorged by it, subdivide and obscure its waters; but after incessant rains the waterfall of Lowdore is sublimely picturesque." "At a distance, Skiddaw appears smooth and verdant, and several variously elevated eminences, being all unted by Hogarthian curves, give it an easy, elegant, and uncommon aspect, as seen from every part of the valley." The lake of Derwent, with its surrounding hills, woods and meadow ground, and enlivened by a number of beautiful islands, bays, and promontories, is entitled to particular distinction; and Mr. Green appears to have paid more than usual attention to his description of the romantic scenery around it. He concludes his description of the lake with the following analysis of its beauties. "One to whom the wilds of nature are new, surveys the environment of Derwent water with rapture; but if asked why? he finds it difficult to give a reasonable answer; for, not being accustomed to analyze, he dwells upon the pleasures produced by the whole, without attending to the deformities of parts. The charms of this lake are owing chiefly to the variety in the forms and distances in the surrounding mountains, and to the gaps or portals, through which more distant mountains are observed; all which at every step (but particularly in a progress round the lake) present a succession of the perspective aerial so delusive as not unfrequently to call forth unqualified admiration, where judgment and criticism ought not to be laid aside." About Kesick and the head of the lake, there are several stations to which custom has attached considerable importance, though Mr. Green has pointed out a number of others of greater interest, which but for him might perhaps have remained unknown. One of the usual situations, which has been always reckoned a fine view, is Friar Cragg, the grand promenade of the natives, and the place to which all strangers are directed, on their arrival in Keswick. "The walk is amidst a grove of oak and fir trees. The path through the wood to the resting bench at the end of it, is creditable to the governors of Greenwich Hospital, (to whom it belongs,) who have thereby not only afforded to strangers an easy and amusing avenue to surrounding beauties, but a renovating recreation to the inhabitants of the town." - "From Friar Crag, after much rain, the waters of Lowdore may not only be seen but heard; and, in the solemn stillness of the night, the varied intonations of this and other falls, vibrate refreshingly on the senses of the contemplative visitant; either as witnessed during the darkness of the moon, or when in full lustre she is mildly reflected on the motionless waters, or as elongated on the eye from their gentle agitations." Another of these walks is to Cock Shot, which he thinks might be rendered one of the greatest beauties about Keswick, with a little judicious thinning of its wood. "Cock Shot, from its vicinity to the town, its easy access, and its numerous charms, (which, when unveiled, would be almost unrivalled,) demands peculiar attention." Strand Hagg is another of the situations which he notices, as commanding |
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