of Cumberland a7id Westmoreland, 1 29 



unwilling to pursue any route except that which lay over the 

 mountain's brow. To have accomplished it without a guide 

 would have been next to impossible ; we therefore sent for the 

 village Vulcan, w^ho acted in this capacity, and, upon consult- 

 ing him as to the practicability of finding our way through 

 the mist, he encouraged the attempt, and agreed to conduct 

 us. Full of anticipation, we set out without loss of time, and 

 having pursued the course of the stream, with the beauties of 

 which we had been so much pleased yesterday, for about two 

 miles, crossing it, we began our ascent by a narrow sheep- 

 walk, the view gradually opening to our delighted eyes as we 

 advanced, and ere we reached the ridge of mountains upon 

 which are the bases of Striden-edge and Catchedecam (by 

 either of which we might ascend Helvellyn) the prospect had 

 become the most extensive we had ever seen. Having enjoyed 

 it for a short time, we directed our course towards Striden- 

 edge, determining to make our ascent in that direction, it 

 being by far the most grand, though at the same time the 

 most dangerous and difficult. Here we were very soon 

 enveloped in thick mist, which quite obscured all distant ob- 

 jects from the sight, except at intervals. Continuing, however, 

 slowly to follow our guide, amongst rocks and stones (passing 

 round some, and over others), the footing gradually became 

 more steep and uncertain, until, for some distance, the pass 

 did not exceed 2 or 3 ft. in width ; whilst at other times we 

 were compelled to work ourselves along with the assistance of 

 our hands and feet, whilst striding across this terrific wall. 

 The appearance of the mountain was indeed at this time 

 very grand : on our right was a slope towards the Red Tarn, 

 of about 500 ft. ; and on our left a perpendicular steep, of 

 nearly 2000 ft., of rugged pointed rocks, bristling up in every 

 direction, and rendered more interesting by the momentary 

 and uncertain peeps we obtained of them between the passing 

 clouds. After some steep climbing we arrived at the summit 

 of our present wishes, by standing on the top of this noble 

 mountain, of which we had in vain attempted to get a sight 

 for the two previous days ; nor did we now see it till actually 

 cUmbing up it. The mist continued impenetrable, and the 

 temperature at this elevation was extremely cold. Our time, 

 which had it been clear would have been occupied in enjoy- 

 ing the views, was now put to other account, and we were 

 glad to keep ourselves warm by turning over the loose stones 

 which cover this mountain's top in search of insects, being 

 unwilling to omit any favourable opportunity of capturing 

 them. I was therefore employed to my heart's content, and 

 took in great plenty Carabus glabratus and Helobia Gyllen- 

 VoL. V. — No. 24. K 



