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A Ride over Skiddaw. (1794)
Having engaged a guide, and with horses accustomed to the labour,
we began to ascend this tremendous mountain by a way which makes
the summit five miles from Keswick. Passing through bowery lanes,
luxurian (sic) with mountain ash, holly, and a variety of
beautiful shrubs, to a broad, open common, a road led to the foot
of Latrig, (or, as it is called by the country people, Skiddaw's
Cub) a large round hill, covered with heath, turf, and browsing
sheep. A narrow path now wound along steep green precipices, the
beauty of which prevented the danger there was from being
perceived. Derwent-water was concealed by others that rose above
them; but that part of the vale of Keswick which separates the
two lakes, and spreads a rich level of three miles, was
immediately below; Crosthwaite church nearly in the centre, with
the vicarage rising among trees. More under shelter of Skiddaw,
where the vale spreads into a sweet retired nook, lay the house
and grounds of Dr. Brownrigg - Beyond the level opened a glimpse
of Bassenthwaite-water - a lake which may be called elegant -
bounded on one side by well-wooded rocks, and on the other by
Skiddaw.- Soon after, we rose above the steeps which had
concealed Derwent-water, and it appeared, with all its enamelled
banks, sunk deep amidst a chaos of mountains, and surrounded by
ranges of fells not visible from below. On the other hand, the
more chearful lake of Bassenthwaite, expanded at its entire
length.- Having gazed a while on this magnificent scene, we
pursued the path, and soon after reached the brink of a chasm
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