PASTURES AND FLOCKS. 103 



singular contrast with the barns, which here, as 

 in most parts of the Lake District, are large 

 and substantial buildings, greatly larger even 

 than the dwelling-houses. But there is reason 

 in this disparity, they are so capacious to 

 hold the hay required for the winter feed of the 

 flocks, those belonging to this valley, reck- 

 oning the number in each, amounting to many 

 thousands, which during the summer range the 

 fells.* 



AMICUS. What you have just said reminds 

 me of a pretty sight I saw in my morning 

 ramble, a flock of two or three hundred 

 sheep descending like a little army from the 

 higher fells, marshalled by the shepherds' dogs, 

 and followed in the rear by the shepherds 

 themselves. Enquiring, I learnt they were 

 driven down for change of pasture, now the hay 

 had been gathered in, the change being con- 

 sidered serviceable to the ewes and lambs. 



PISCATOR. The change you speak of is 

 commonly practised in the Lake District. And, 



* Three thousand two hundred and two was the 

 actual number at the time of our visit : the largest 

 flock of the five, one of one thousand two hundred ; the 

 smallest of two hundred and two., 



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