t0 ii}t @ltJ ^im. 187 



to the west of Levers Water, and arriving at a point 

 about opposite to the approach to it, and nearly under a 

 precipice called Oo Crag — that is Wool Crag — the 

 steep ascent to the left must be taken, and a small water- 

 course followed, until, still more to the left, a fine green 

 Savannah, thickly dotted with sheep, comes into view. It is 

 called the Ghyll-cove, because, from time immemorial, 

 the sheep belonging to a farm called the Ghyll — or Gill — 

 have been pastured in it. Cross this beautiful cove, and 

 mount over the shoulder of Brimfell, which regularly gains 

 upon the main eminence. Then the ascent becomes labori- 

 ous, so much so, that the tourist will be fain, perhaps, to lie 

 down upon the soft dry mountain grass to recover breath. 



Resuming his climb, he will come out by and bye, upon 

 the high narrow ridge that connects the Old Man with the 

 fells. It is now all plain sailing, until he arrives at the 

 pillar, or pinnacle, or pile of stones, erected on the summit 

 of the mountain, which, according to the best authority, 

 is 2632 feet above the sea. At this point, a *Man' 

 formerly stood ; but it was removed by the Ordnance Sur- 

 veyors, who erected another, less convenient ; for the first 

 contained a chamber, useful to shepherds and tourists 

 overtaken by bad weather. 



Any erection of this sort, on a hill-top, is locally called ' a 

 man,' and certain etymologists hold that this pile upon his 

 summit gave the OM Man his title. Its name is obviously 

 derived from the two common Celtic words A/f and Mam — 

 the first, signifying high, and the second a crag or rocky 

 eminence, which perfectly describes the Old Man, and 

 resembles very nearly the present pronunciation of his 

 name as given by those who live in the district where he 

 reigns. 



Meanwhile, looking abroad from the summit, the traveller 



