61 



I About a quarter of a mile from Dunmail Raise, travelling in the 

 direction of Thirlmere, is a narrow road, which branches ofTto the 

 right from the turnpike. This was the old pack-horse track leading 

 to the hamlet in Wythburn, called the City, and skirting the western 

 side of the lake to Armboth, thence past a farm called Smea- 

 thwaite, and by the upper part of Shoulthwaite Moss, where it 

 again joins the main road. The road in its present state is barely 

 passable for conveyances, but it is said to be the intention of the 

 Manchester Corporation to alter its primitive condition, and make 

 It a good carriage road. Very little of the lower part of Thirlmere 

 IS seen from the turnpike road between Ambleside and Keswick • 

 but the scenery here is grand, and will compare favourably with 

 that of any part of the district. Should the idea of making a good 

 road here be carried out, we shall then have one more beautiful 

 drive in the neighbourhood, which cannot fail to be appreciated 

 by all who possess a taste for lake- and mountain-scenery 



Armboth, which was formerly called Low Wythburn, in the 

 Manor of Wythburn, the lord of which was Sir Harry Vane till it 

 was disposed of with all rights to the Corporation of Manchester 

 One of estates in this Manor, anciently known as the Grange' 

 belonged to the Jackson family for centuries. Mr. Crosthw^te 

 says the names of the Jacksons, of Armboth, appear in the Cros- 

 thwaite parish registry from time to time since its commencement 

 m the latter part of the sixteenth century. The old farmhouse 

 now standing tenantless is the place where so many generations of 

 Jacksons hved and died. Armboth House, with other estates 

 bdonging the same owner, who is of the Jackson family, have 

 withm the last few months also become the property of "The 

 Corporation." Till quite recently it was the firm belief of many 

 that the mansion was actually haunted; and wonderful are the 

 stones to which the superstition of the dalesfolk has given rise 

 lales are told of supernatural visitors, midnight illuminations of a 

 nocturnal marriage, and a murdered bride; occurrences which 

 had they really happened, would have been truly startling The 

 two skulls from Calgarth Hall, near Windermere, are said to attend 

 banquets at Armboth Hall, and to join in the midnight orgies The 



