MATTEEDALK. 



148 GOWBARROW PARK. 



more; so that the journey should begin in good 

 time, if the scenery is to be truly enjoy- 

 ed. The first part of the road, as far 

 as Threlkeld, (p. 103,) has been already described. 

 It then becomes wild and bleak, while commanding 

 noble distant views of the Keswick mountains, and 

 of the saddle-shaped aspect of Old Blencathra. 

 Mell Fell, the ugliest of hills, — like a tumulus 

 planted all over with larch, — grows larger as the 

 traveller proceeds, till he finds he is to make a 

 sharp turn to the right, and pass directly under it. 

 Judging from our own experience, we should say 

 that this part of the journey is always broiling hot 

 or bitterly cold. A bleak high-lying tract it cer- 

 tainly is, where the old monks no doubt suffered 

 much and often in their expeditions. Their pater- 

 nosters said among the perils of Ullswater, and 

 their Ave Marys here, are supposed to have given 

 the names of Patterdale and Matterdale, which 

 become more interesting as soon as their origin 

 is known. From Matterdale the road 

 G< "pabk E0W drops down upon Gowbarrow Park, 

 already described at p. 52. It is a 

 usual practice to send on the carriage to one of the 

 inns, (weather permitting) when the driver will 

 order dinner to be ready in two hours or so : and 

 then the traveller will explore the park, and see 

 Ara Force, and walk the remaining three or four 

 miles, — enjoying as he goes, the very finest views 

 of Ullswater. 



The tour we are sketching supposes the party to he destined 

 for Ambleside; but as there is Bomething to be seen in the other 

 direction, it may be well to notice it briefly. From Gowbarrow 

 Park to Pooley Bridge, the road winds along the lake, the hills 



