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Sketch map, Ulleswater, Westmorland and Cumberland, by
William Gilpin, 1772-74, published by T Cadell and W Davies,
Strand, London, 1808.
Vol.2 opposite p.51 in Observations on Several Parts of
England, Particularly the Mountains and Lakes of Cumberland
Westmoreland, Relative Chiefly to Picturesque Beauty.
The list of plates in the preface of the book has:-
'XVII. This plan of Ulleswater, like the others, is not very
exact; but enough so, to give an idea of it's general shape,
and the relative situation of the several places on it's
shores. Page 51.'
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Nearby text, vol.2 pp.51-52:-
'... and Ulleswater may all be called boundary-lakes. One
end of each participates more of the rugged country; and the
other of the cultivated: tho each end participates, in some
degree, of both. A few traits of romantic scenery are added
to the tamesness of one end; while the native horror of the
other is softened by a few chearful appendages.
'The form of Ulleswater resembles a Z; only there is no
angular acuteness in it's line. It spreads every where in an
easy curve; beautifully boken in some parts by
promontories.- The middle reach contains in length near two
thirds of the lake. The southern side is mountainous; and
becomes more so, as it verges towards the west. As the
mountains approach the north, they glide (as we have see is
usual in boundary-lakes) into meadows and pastures. The
northern end and western sides contain a great variety of
woody and rocky scenes; but these also, as they approach the
east, become smooth and fertilized. At the southern point,
under impending mountains, lies the village of Patterdale.-
With this general idea of Ulleswater, let us back to the
descent of Matterdale, where we caught the first view of it.
'As we desended a little farther, the whole scene of the
lake opened before us; and such a scene, as almost drew from
us the apostrophe of the inraptured bard,
'Visions of glory, spare my aching sight!
'Among all the visions of this inchanting country, we had
seen nothing so beautifully sublime, so correctly
picturesque as this.- And yet I am averse to make
comparisons; especially on seeing a country but once. Much
depends on the circumstances of light, and weather. I would
wish therefore only to say, that I was more pleased with
Ulleswater, than with any lake I had seen; ...'
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