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Gough Memorial, Patterdale
Gough Memorial
site name:-   Striding Edge
site name:-   Helvellyn
civil parish:-   Patterdale (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   memorial
locality type:-   monument
coordinates:-   NY34441498
1Km square:-   NY3414
10Km square:-   NY31


photograph
BRB58.jpg (taken 9.7.2009)  
photograph
BRB59.jpg (taken 9.7.2009)  
"BENEATH THIS SPOT WERE FOUND IN 1805
THE REMAINS OF CHARLES GOUGH
KILLED BY A FALL FROM THE ROCKS.
HIS DOG WAS STILL GUARDING THE SKELETON.
WALTER SCOTT DESCRIBES THE EVENT IN THE POEM
I CLIMBED THE DARK BROW OF THE MIGHTY HELVELLYN
WORDSWORTH RECORDS IT IN HIS LINES ON
'FIDELITY'
WHICH CONCLUDES AS FOLLOWS
'THE DOG WHICH STILL WAS HOVERING HIGH
REPEATING THE SAME TIMID CRY
THIS DOG HAD BEEN THROUGH THREE MONTHS SPACE
A DWELLER IN THAT SAVAGE PLACE
HOW NOURISHED HERE THROUGH SUCH LONG TIME
HE KNOWS, WHO GAVE THAT LOVE SUBLIME
AND GAVE THAT STRENGTH OF FEELING GREAT
ABOVE ALL HUMAN ESTIMATE.'
IN MEMORY OF THAT LOVE &STRENGTH OF FEELING
THIS STONE IS HERE ERECTED
F.P.C. 1890 H.D.R."

evidence:-   old text:- Wordsworth 1810
item:-  accidentdog
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of the Scenery of the Lakes, later A Guide through the District of The Lakes, by William Wordsworth, 1810-35.
image WW01pr21, button  goto source
page xxi  "... the fate of a young man, a stranger, who perished some years ago, by falling down the rocks in his attempt to cross over to Grasmere. His remains were discovered by means of a faithful dog that had lingered here for the space of three months, self-supported, and probably retaining to the last an attachment to the skeleton of its master. ..."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P046, button  goto source
Page 46:-  "... [Helvellyn] at its foot are Keppel Cove Tarn and Red Tarn, on the edge of which Gough's remains, after having been watched over by his dog, 'through three months' space,' were accidentally found by a shepherd; ..."

evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  costumehorsememorial
source data:-   Photograph, sepia, erecting the Gough Memorial, Helvellyn, Patterdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890.
image  click to enlarge
HB0603.jpg
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS263
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old photograph:- Bell 1880s-1940s
item:-  memorial
source data:-   Photograph, black and white, Gough Memorial, Helvellyn, Patterdale, Westmorland, by Herbert Bell, photographer, Ambleside, Westmorland, 1890.
image  click to enlarge
HB0604.jpg
stamped on reverse:-  "HERBERT BELL / Photographer / AMBLESIDE"
item:-  Armitt Library : ALPS264
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Harwood 1895
source data:-   Print, halftone photograph, memorial to Charles Gough, Helvellyn, Patterdale, Westmorland, by Henry Mayson, published by Henry Blacklock and Co, Albert Square, Manchester, 1895.
image  click to enlarge
HRW304.jpg
Tipped in opposite p.40 of the History and Description of the Thirlmere Water Scheme, by Sir John James Harwood. 
item:-  Armitt Library : A660.6
Image © see bottom of page

hearsay:-  
Quaker poet Charles Gough fell from Striding Edge. A memorial erected 1890:-
"Beneath this spot were found in 1805 the remains of Charles Gough, killed by a fall from the rocks. His dog was still guarding the skeleton."
A shepherd found the body 20 July 1805. Foxey, an irish terrier, her new born pups dead beside her. Foxey was cared for after by Thomas Brunskill, Crosby Garrett. Sir Walter Scott asked:-
"How long didst thou think that his silence was slumber?
When the wind waved his garment how oft didst thou start?
How many long days and long nights didst thou number
Ere he faded before thee the friend of thy heart?"
Also see 'Fidelity' by William Wordsworth.

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