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start of addendum |
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Page 207:-
trees, both sown and planted, oak, spruce, Scotch fir, &c. all
which thrive wonderfully. There is an easy ascent to the top, and
the view far preferable to that on Castle-hill (which you
remember) because this is lower and nearer the lake; for I find
all points that are much elevated, spoil the beauty of the
valley, and make its parts, which are not large, look poor and
diminutive [1]. While I was here, a little shower fell, red
clouds came marching up the hills from the east, and part of a
bright rainbow seemed to rise along the side of Castle-hill.
From hence I got to the parsonage a little before sun-set, and
saw in my glass a picture, that if I could transmit to you, and
fix it in all the softness of its living colours, would fairly
sell for a thousand pounds. This is the sweetest scene I can yet
discover in point of pastoral beauty; the rest are in a sublimer
style.
Oct. 5. I walked through the meadows and corn-fields to the
Derwent, and crossing it went up to How-hill; it looks along
Bassenthwaite-water, and sees at the same time the course of the
river, and a part of the upper lake, with a full view of Skiddaw:
then I took my way through Portinscale village to the Park, a
hill so called, covered entirely with wood; it is a mass of
crumbling slate. Passed round its foot, between trees and the
edge of the water, and came to a peninsula that juts out into the
lake, and looks along it
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[1]
The picturesque point is always thus low in all prospects: a
truth which though the landscape-painter knows, he cannot always
observe; since the patron who employs him to take a view of his
place, usually carries him to some elevation for that purpose, in
order, I suppose, that he may have more of him for his money. Yet
when I say this I would not be thought to mean that a drawing
should be made from the lowest point possible; as for instance in
this very view, from the lake itself, for then a fore-ground
would be wanting. On this account, when I sailed at
Derwent-water, I did not receive so much pleasure from the superb
amphitheatre of mountains round me, as when, like Mr. Gray, I
traversed its margin; and therefore think he did not loose much
by not taking boat.
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gazetteer links
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-- "Cockshut" -- Cockshot Wood
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-- "Park" -- Fawe Park
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-- "How Hill" -- How Hill
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-- Portinscale
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-- Skiddaw
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-- station, Cockshot Wood
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-- station, Crosthwaite Vicarage
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-- station, Derwent Water by boat
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-- station, Fawe Park
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Lakes Guides menu.
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