S ANTON BRIDGE. 67 



PISCATOR. You are right again ; we are on 

 the boundaries of the Lake District, but much 

 nearer the sea and at a lower level, and are 

 leaving the pastoral region for the arable, the 

 sheep country for the corn country; and the 

 lake, where we purpose to have a day's fishing, 

 Wastwater, is from hence somewhat more distant 

 than Haweswater from Bampton Grange, not 

 less than three miles ; but the river, the Irt, in 

 which I hope we shall get some sport, is close 

 at hand : the bridge in the village which we 

 crossed, and which gives name to the village, is 

 over it. Whether we have any success or not 

 in fishing this stream, I am sure you will be 

 pleased with it, especially that part of it flowing 

 through the grounds of Irton Hall, grounds 

 hardly inferior in sylvan beauty to the banks of 

 the Teme, in Oakley Park, and superior in 

 another respect, in the impressive grandeur 

 imparted by the mountains seen in the distance. 

 Now, in the middle of July, they are without 

 snow; were it April or October, they would 

 probably be crested with snow, and would have 

 even more of an Alpine character. As the 

 fishing here is best in the evening and the sun 

 is yet high, we will, if you please, whilst our 



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