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page 128
elsewhere on the mountain; but the shape of the building
having been oblong, its remains differ from those of a
common sheep-fold; and it has stood east and west. Scarcely
did the Druids, when they fled to these fastnesses perform
their rites in any situation more exposed to disturbance
from the elements. One cannot pass by without being reminded
that the rustic psalmody must have had the accompaniment of
many a wildly-whistling blast; and what dismal storms must
have often drowned the voice of the preacher! As we decend
(sic), Patterdale opens upon the eye in grand simplicity,
screened by mountains, and proceeding from two heads,
Deepdale and Hartsope, where lies the little lake of
Brotherswater, named in old maps Broaderwater, and probably
rightly so; for Bassenthwaite-mere at this day, is
familiarly called Broadwater; but the change in the
appellation of this small lake or pool (if it be a
corruption) may have been assisted by some melancholy
accident similar to what happened about twenty years ago,
when two brothers were drowned there, having gone out to
take their holiday pleasure upon the ice on a new-year's
day.
A rough and precipitous peat track brought us down to our
friend's house. - Another fine moonlight night; but a thick
fog rising from the neighbouring river, enveloped the rocky
and wood-crested knoll on which our fancy-cottage had been
erected; and, under the damp cast upon my feelings, I
consoled myself with
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