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Every part of nature has something to recommend it to the
observation of the susceptible and ingenious. A walk or ride, on
the summits of mountains, will afford a species of ideas, which,
though often neither of the social or luxuriant kind, will,
nevertheless, greatly affect and entertain. The large
unvariegated features of these hills, their elevation, and even
their desolate appearance, are all sources of the sublime. And,
in a publication of this kind, a word or two respecting their
nature and characteristic properties, seems as requisite as on
several other subjects which are here discussed at some length.
The mountains, among which these lakes are situated, are formed
in general of two sorts of rock, or stone. The most prevailing
kind is a blue rag, and where it appears, the pasturage which is
found among it is generally inclined to be mossy, lingy, and wet.
These particulars, and a number of swampy patches, or pits of
turbary, give the face of these mountains a rather savage and
depressing look; and the indisposition of their soils readily to
imbibe the waters which fall in rains is the occasion of the
number of temporary cataracts which channel their sides.
The other kind of hills consist of limestone: and though
generally of inferior height, their surface is infinitely more
pleasing. They are perfectly dry, and the bent, or grass, which
covers their glades, is peculiarly fine. Where this is not found,
the bare rocks take place, and appear in every fantastic form,
which may be supposed to have arisen from some violent
concussion, to which the earth has heretofore been subject. But,
the whiteness and neatness of these rocks take off every idea of
horror that might be suggested by their bulk or form. From the
nature of the soil, and the number of communicating clefts in the
rock underground, they become dry soon after the heaviest rains;
and though they discover no streams of water issuing from their
sides, a number of the most pellucid ones imaginable are seen
bubbling out among the inclosures round their bases. On these
accounts, the face of such hills always appear singularly
lightsome and cheerful. And, on a fine summer day, there is
little doubt but that the curious stranger would find a walk or
ride on the summits (though consisting of nothing but stone and
turf, attended with uncommon pleasure. If he be of a poetical
turn, he will see some of the serenest haunts for the shepherd,
that ever fancy formed; if of a philosophic turn, he may be
equally delighted with contemplating several evident signs of the
Mosaic deluge, and of the once-soft slate of the calcarious
matter which is now hardened into rock.- But our limits will not
permit us to pursue the subject.
The greatest quantity of limestone hills contained in this tour
lie within the district bounded by Kendal, Witherslack, Kellet,
and Hutton roof. And the most beautiful of them, as seen at a
distance, are Farlton and Arnside knots, Witherslack-scar, and
Warton-crag. The two first have their highest parts, which are
neatly rounded, covered in a great measure with small fragments
of limestone (called shillow) which gives them at all times an
uncommon and beautiful appearance. But at the latter end of the
year, when the foliage of the copses on their sides, and the
grass which is interspersed along their glades near their tops,
have gained an olive hue, no objects of the kind can appear more
elegantly coloured. Farlton knot, especially at that time of
year, as seen from Burton church-yard, exhibits a brightness and
harmony of colouring, which could little be expected to result
from a mixture of grass, wood, and stone.
A travelling party desirous of being gratified with the pleasure
of one of these rides, may have it in perfection by going upon
Farlton-knot, from Burton, through Claythorp, or traversing the
heights of Warton-crag; both of which mountains, besides the
particulars here mentioned, afford very extensive views,
including part of the ocean, of a country abounding with
agreeable images of rural nature.
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