157 



"Sent three men to build up fiist beacon on Skiddaw — Henry 

 Powlay, Isaac Williamson, and — Dunglinson, which they did, 

 and drove in two posts with rings to fasten horses to, but by 

 September the same year both posts were gone." 



The sham battle which came off annually at tlie Keswick 

 regatta, was depicted by Smirke, and published as a coloured 

 print at the cost of a guinea. The affair was thus described in 

 Hutchinson's History of Cumberland : — " About three o'clock 

 preparations were made for the sham attack on Pocklington's 

 Island. The fleet (consisting of several barges, armed with small 

 cannon and muskets) retired out of view, behind Friar's Crag, to 

 prepare for action : previous to which a flag of truce was sent to 

 the governor, with a summons to surrender upon honourable terms. 

 A defiance was returned ; soon after which the fleet was seen 

 advancing with great spirit before the batteries, and instantly 

 formed a curved line. A terrible cannonading began on both 

 sides, accompanied with a dreadful discharge of musketry. This 

 continued for some time, and being echoed from hill to hill in an 

 amazing variety of sounds, filled the air with whatever could 

 produce astonishment and awe. All nature seemed to be in an 

 uproar ; which impressed on the awakened imagination the most 

 lively ideas of the "war of elements" and "crash of worlds." After 

 a severe conflict the enemies were driven from the attack in great 

 disorder. A feu-de-joie was then fired from the port, and oft 

 repeated by responsive echoes. The fleet, after a little delay, 

 formed again ; and practising a variety of beautiful manoeuvres, 

 renewed the attack. Uproar again sprung up, and the deep- 

 toned echoes of the mountains again joined in solemn chorus ; 

 which was heard at a distance of ten leagues to leeward through 

 the easterly opening of that vast amphitheatre as far as Appleby. 

 The garrison at last capitulated, and the entertainment of the 

 water being finished, the company moved to Keswick, to which 

 place from the water's edge, a range of lamps were fixed very 

 happily disposed, 'and a number of fireworks displayed off." 

 Whatever may now be thought of this diversion, it is certain that 

 it drew together the nobility and gentry from the adjacent counties « 



