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Page 16:-
view worthy of a mountain top, while sheltered by hill and
wood, and with the main road so close at hand that the
conveniences of life are as procurable as in a street. A
short descent hence brings the walker to Cook's House,- the
point where four roads meet. Cook's house has only just
disappeared. With it has disappeared a fine specimen of the
old fireplace of the district, with its chimney-corners. It
is rather a drawback to the romance hanging about those wide
old chimnies, to know that the good man had to sit with some
special covering over his head and shoulders, to protect him
from the soot that the rain brought down. At Cook's house
there were recesses and cupboards in that strange roofless
alcove,- the door being of the old oak of which such fine
specimens may be seen in the farm-houses of the dales. We
should rather say, might till lately have been seen; for we
fear there are but few left. The greater number of old
chests, cupboard doors, and high backed chairs, covered with
carvings, have found their way to the London curiosity
shops, whence agents have been sent through the wildest
places in the district to buy up such relics at high prices.
Still, there are specimens left, as the observant traveller
will notice.
Of the four roads which meet here, the one to his left would
take him to Ambleside; the one opposite, to Troutbeck. To
reach his inn he must take the one to the right, which leads
him straight home.
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