button to main menu  Martineau's Complete Guide to the English Lakes, 1855

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Page 80:-
bound for the mountains, went up the pass on foot, leaving the animal in the care of his host. The host had never seen such a creature before, nor had his neighbours. Fearing mischief, they consulted the wise man of the dale; for they kept a Sagum, or medicine man, to supply their deficiencies. He came, and after an examination of the mule, drew a circle round it, and consulted his books while his charms were burning; and, at length, announced that he had found it. The creature must be, he concluded, a peacock. So Borrowdale could then boast, without a rival, of a visit from a stranger who came riding on a peacock. There is a real and strong feeling in the district about these old stories. Only last year, when a Borrowdale man entered a country inn, a prior guest said simply "cuckoo," and was instantly knocked down; and a passionate fight ensued. This cannot last much longer,- judging by the number of new houses,- abodes of gentry,- built or building in Borrowdale. The wrath must presently turn to a laugh in the humblest chimney corner in the dale.
  Bowder Stone
  Grange

Rosthwaite is beautifully situated near the centre of the dale, and at the confluence of the two mountain brooks which form the Derwent. This river flows through the lakes of Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite, passes Cockermouth, and falls into the sea at Workington. Following its course, the traveller reaches the Bowder Stone at a mile from Rosthwaite,- a fallen rock, standing on its point, and about thirty feet high, and sixty long. There are steps for ascent to the top; but it is as well seen from below, where it cannot but
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