fl 



thence he started, taking Lord's Island on his way, and passed through 

 Borrowdale over the Stake Pass to Langdale and Rydal. Sir Edward 

 EadclifFe was residing on the Island in 1641, and for some time after. 

 He mentions the fact in his will. It is probable that his house on the 

 Island was battered down at this time, for there is no record of any one 

 living in the house thereafter, and in 1750 there was a tree growing in 

 the ruins of very large size, which was cut down with the rest of the 

 timber on the forfeited Derwentwater Estate. Very likely the escape of 

 the Lady of the house up Lady's Rake took place at this time, for a 

 tradition so strong could not have arisen without some foundation in fact. 



Borrowdale and Watendlath contributed trained bands forming, no 

 doubt, part of the troop which Sir Edward RadcUffe raised for the service 

 of the King, and probably for his own defence. At this period the 

 smelting mills at Brigham, on the Greta, were destroyed by the rebels. 



I have alluded to the Yeomen of Borrowdale as a class whose 

 independence and energy are conspicuous whenever they emerge into the 

 busy world. It was a Birkett who set on foot the first Banker's Clearing 

 House, for which he was rewarded by a pension by the London private 

 Bankers, who at first kept the establishment entirely to themselves, but 

 it is now extended to Joint Stock Banks, and there is one in London for 

 country Bankers also. This principle has been adopted by the Railways 

 in their gigantic clearing house system. 



Mr. Isaac Fisher, who died at the comparatively early age of forty 

 five, was an instance of great ability and energy in business transactions, 

 and he would no doubt, like his friend Sir Richard Birnie, have risen to 

 eminence in London had he lived longer. As a representative man the 

 Borrowdale Statesmen never had a worthier than the late Abraham 

 Fisher, Esq., of SeatoUer. Living among his own people, thoroughly 

 understanding and appreciating his neighbours, he exercised an 

 influence, social, moral, and religious, which was felt during his 

 life and will be remembered for many years to come. He 

 was the last of the Fishers of Seatoller, and no nobler man 

 could be found to be the last representative of his famUy and 

 name in Borrowdale. 



