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Page 63:-
Wrynose, and the rocky point of Kirkstone; the overhanging cliff
of Hardknot [1], uniform mass of Fairfield and Rydal-head, with
the far-extended mountains of Troutbeck and Kentmere,- form as
magnificent an amphitheatre, and as grand an assemblage of
mountains, dells, and chasms, as ever the fancy of Poussin
suggested, or the genius of Rosa invented. The island is the
centre of this amphitheatre, and in the opposite point, directly
over the extremity of the lake, is Rydal-hall, sweetly situated
for the enjoyment of these scenes, and animating the whole in
return. The immediate borders of the lake are adorned with
villages and scattered cots. Calgarth-park [2] and Rayrigg grace
its banks.
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[2]
The old mansion here is built much in the style of Levens and
Sizergh. Some of the rooms have been elegantly finished; but
having been a long time in the possession of farmers, who occupy
but a part of it, it is much gone out of repair, and has on the
whole but a melancholy appearance. This circumstance, in
concurrence with the superstitous notions which have ever been
common in country places, and the particulars mentioned below,
have probably given rise to a report, which has long prevailed,
that the house is haunted. And many are the stories of frightful
visions, and mischievous deeds, which the goblins of the place
are said to have performed to terrify and distress the harmless
neighbourhood. These fables are not yet entirely disbelieved.
Spectres are still seen, and there are two human skulls, which
have lain in the window of a large room as long as can be
remembered, whose history and reputed properties are far too
singular not to contribute something to this story of the haunted
house, and to let them pass over in this note.
It has been a popular tale in these parts, of immemorial
standing, that these skulls formerly belonged to two poor old
people, who were unjustly executed for a robbery; that, to
perpetuate their innocence, some ghost brought them there, and
that they are for that end indestructible, and, in effect,
immoveable. For, it is said, to what place soever they were
taken, or however used, they were still presently seen again in
their old dormitory, the window. As the report goes, they have
been buried, burnt, powdered, and dispersed in the wind, and upon
the lake, several times to no purpose, as to their removal or
destruction. So far says common fame. Certain it is human remains
still exist. And it would be thought an impeachment of the taste
and curiosity of the nymphs and swains of the neighbouring
villages, if they could not say they had once seen the skulls of
Calgarth.
As a more rational account of the matter, (though still lame and
unsatisfactory,) is told by some, that there formerly lived in
the house a famous doctress who had two skeletons by her, for the
usual purposes of her profession; and the skulls happening to
meet with better preservation than the rest of the bones, they
were accidentally honoured with singular notice. But be their
origin what it may, their legend is too whimsical and improbable
to deserve being recorded, otherwise than as an instance of the
never-failing credulity of ignorance and superstition.
Calgarth-park was purchased by Dr. Watson, the late bishop of
Llandaff, who built an elegant mansion thereon, which, with the
other improvements in that fine situation, makes it one of the
most elegant places of residence in this country.
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