BOO Rough Notes of a Tour to the Lakes 



bloodhound chained at the gate. It is, however, a modern 

 building, and was erected by the late duke for a shooting- 

 box. 



Arriving at the third bend of the lake, you come in full view 

 of the Place Fells, a range of high and barren mountains, 

 which descend quite into the water on the eastern side of the 

 lake. Mr. Marshall, M.P. for Yorkshire, has a mansion 

 delightfully situated here, and so also has his son still nearer 

 Patterdale. 



About seven o'clock P.M. we arrived at the King's Arms 

 Inn, Patterdale, having walked fourteen miles, with little or 

 no fatigue. After refreshing ourselves with a cup of tea, and 

 changing our heavy shoes for the others that we had provided, 

 we were quite inclined to explore some of the everlasting hills 

 with which we were surrounded. 



Running through Patterdale is a little stream from the lake, 

 called Coldrick Beck, and over it a rustic stone bridge, by 

 crossing which we soon ascended above the slate quarries, in 

 the side of Place Fell, in the fond hope of obtaining a view of 

 Helvellyn, which we purposed ascending on the morrow; but 

 the tops of the mountains were so cloudcapt that it was impos- 

 sible accurately to distinguish it. On the grassy side of this 

 mountain we found the nest of the titlark ; it was composed 

 of moss, the interior being lined with fine grass, and contained 

 four small eggs, darkly freckled with brown ; leaving the eggs 

 for the pretty bird, which was anxiously fluttering about us, 

 we returned to our little inn about nine o'clock, much de- 

 lighted with our first day's excursion. 



King's Arms, Patterdale, Tuesday, May 18. 1830. 

 Disappointments commenced. We retired to rest last night 

 in full purpose of heart to ascend Helvellyn this morning on 

 the eastern side, and then to make a descent towards Kes- 

 wick. Our friends had laughed at our intention of climbing 

 the mountain on the Patterdale side at all, and the villagers 

 recommended us not to attempt it without a guide ; but, like 

 young and sanguine travellers, we now set the opinions of 

 friends at defiance, hoping to have the laugh on our side by 

 accomplishing this deemed impossibility. Having therefore 

 heartily broke fast, replenished our sandwich-boxes and spirit 

 flask, we a second time mounted our knapsacks, and set off* 

 in quest of adventures ; but alas ! our preparations were 

 useless, for we were not to " climb the dark brow of the 

 mighty Helvellyn" to-day ; the pass, by which alone we could 

 reach Helvellyn and the intermediate mountains, was so com- 



