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Even in the mild ascent of green Skiddaw, then, there is a
guide.- At the distance of half-a-mile from Keswick, on the
Penrith road, just through the toll-bar, a bridge crosses
the Greta. The road, after crossing this bridge, winds round
Latrigg, and in the direction of Low Man, crossing the
barren plain called Skiddaw Forest. The plain of Keswick,
and the lake and its islands, grow smaller and smaller, and
the surrounding mountains seem to swell and rise, as the
road gently climbs the side of Skiddaw; and, when about half
way up, that lower world disappears, while a more distant
one comes into view. The Irish Sea and the Isle of Man rise,
and the Scotch mountains show themselves marshalled on the
horizon. At the first summit, after a mile of craggy ascent,
steeper than the rest, the city of Carlisle comes into view,
with the coast and its little towns, round to St. Bees, with
the rich plains that lie between. But there is a higher
point to be reached, after an ascent of 500 feet more; and
here Derwentwater comes into view again. And how much
besides! Few lakes are seen; but the sea of mountain tops is
glorious; and the surrounding plains; and the ocean beyond;
and land again beyond that. In opposite directions, lie
visible, Lancaster Castle and the hills of Kirkcudbright,
Wigton and
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