60 RIVERS. 



rough, Aggleburgh, and Aid-to-Brough, is a sort of Cromlech 

 of gritstones. The Roman station doubtless communicated by 

 a road down the dale with the great military way from Isurium 

 to Cataractonium. A custom is recorded at Bainbridge of blowing 

 a horn every night at ten o'clock in winter, as a signal to be- 

 nighted travellers. 



It is probable that an ancient British road crossed the Ure 

 near that place; proceeding northward by Askrigg, Feetham 

 Row, Arkendale, and Hope, to Barnard Castle ; and southward 

 over the side of Stake Fell, and by a romantic pass among the 

 rough rocks over Cray to Buckden and Wharfedale. This road 

 crosses several very narrow necks of land, and pursues a course 

 generally north and south. 



Three waterfalls very near Askrigg are extremely beautiful. 

 Of these two are easily reached, viz. Bow Force, a low but very 

 pleasing cascade (12 feet) over limestone rocks, overhung by 

 the charming mountain elm ; Millgill Force, also over limestone 

 (69 feet), and of much grander proportions. Millgill Upper Force 

 requires more labour to reach, and is well worth the toil ; the 

 water falling in broad sheets over gritstone rock (42 feet) into a 

 romantic woody glen, makes an excellent picture. 



Above the pretty grounds of Nappa the sea pink (Armeria 

 maritima) grows wild. 



Below Bainbridge and Askrigg the valley contracts upon the 

 river, and the stream has a more rapid descent : at Aysgarth*, 

 with its conspicuous old church and bridge (A.D. 1536), rapids 

 begin, and soon become the powerful cataracts on which Turner 

 has bestowed some touches of his magic pencil (see the Litho- 

 graph). The Ure, like other northern streams, especially near 

 their source, varies greatly in respect of the quantity of water 

 which it discharges. In floods it is a great, a mighty river, 

 bursting with a prodigious effect through magnificent rocks; 



* The Celtic words for water and promontory, from which Aysg-arth, 

 well describe this remarkable situation. Ask-rigg has the same Celtic prefix 

 for water. 



