^xcurgion. 269 



scenery he will enjoy on his way. The expedition is one 

 often made from Keswick, so that he will find guides ready 

 to show him the way, and make the necessary preparations 

 so as to ensure his return before night. As we have in the 

 next section described the principal features of this route, 

 we shall now only indicate the chief points of interest on 

 the way, and the easiest way of doing the work ; those who 

 have legs good enough for the work can of course use them 

 if they please. 



The tourist, who does not rely solely on his legs, can 

 drive through Borrowdale, as far as Seathwaite, (see p. 237) 

 and then take ponies, which his guide will have sent on 

 beforehand. It is a mile and a-half from ^ElflStfjtDaite to 

 j^eatoller farm ; then the same distance forward up the 

 valley to Seati^ixiaite, a hamlet in the gorge of the fells. 

 In pursuing the latter, he will find no * nuts and acorns ' 

 in this ' Boredale,' nor any remarkable number of swine ; 

 but he may see the place, — if he looks up the hill- 

 side to the right, — whence is drawn the product that has, in 

 modern times, distinguished the dale, — the blackleati of 

 which the Keswick pencils are made. 



Under the mine, amidst the copsewood, are the dark tops 

 of the Borrowdale "^eins to be seen, of which Wordsworth 

 says : — 



* Those fraternal four of Borrowdale, 

 Joined in one solemn and capacious grove, 

 Huge trunks, and each particular trunk a growth 

 Of intertwisted fibres, serpentine. 

 Up-coiling, and inveterately convolved : 

 Nor uninformed with phantasy, and looks 

 That threaten the profane ; — a pillared shade, 

 Upon whose grassless floor of red-brown hue, 

 By sheddings from the pining umbrage tinged 

 Perennially — beneath whose sable roof 



