"^J^Sfalfes at "yzSfmbertnete, 15 



and so are the islands clustered in the centre of the lake. 

 Wray Castle stands forth well above the promontory oppo- 

 site ; at the head, the Langdale Pikes, and their surrounding 

 mountains, seem, in some states of the atmosphere, to ap- 

 proach and overshadow the waters, and in others to retire 

 and shroud themselves in soft haze and delicate hues pecu- 

 liar to cloudland.* There are two houses built just above 

 the ridge, which we have thought from the time the founda- 

 tions were laid, must form the most enviable abodes in the 

 country, — commanding a view worthy of a mountain-top, 

 while sheltered by hill and wood and with the main road 

 so close that the conveniences of life are as procurable as in 

 a street. 



A few yards further and the pedestrian has reached a point 

 where four roads meet. ^oofe^s ^ouse has now dis- 

 appeared, and a new residence has taken its place, but 

 this junction of roads still retains the name. With it dis- 

 appeared a fine specimen of the old fire place of the 

 district, with its chimney comers. It is rather a draw- 

 back to the romance hanging about these wide old chimneys, 

 to know that the good man had to sit with some special 

 covering over his shoulders to protect him from the soot that 

 the rain brought down. At Cook*s House there were three 

 recesses and cupboards in that roofless alcove, — the door 

 being of the oltl oafe of which such fine specimens may be 

 seen in the farmhouses of the dales. We should rather say, 

 might till lately have been seen ; for we fear there are but 

 few left. The great number of old chests, cupboard doors, 



* * By keeping the turnpike, you soon find yourself on a terrace to 

 which there was nothing to compare in the hanging gardens of Babylon. 

 There is the widest breadth of water — the richest foreground of wood 

 — and the most magnificent background of mountains — not only in 

 Westmorland but — believe us — in all the world. That blue roof is 

 Calgarth — and no traveller ever pauses on this brow without giving it a 

 blessing — for the sake of the illustrious dead ; for there long dwelt in 

 the body Richard Watson, the defender of the Faith.' — Professor Wilson. 



