LOUGHEIGG TARN. 223 



AMICUS. Which of the two roads before us is 

 ours? Were we to leave the choice to our 

 ponies, there would be no question, for one is 

 almost formidable in its steepness. 



PISCATOK. And that is our way, and when we 

 reach its summit I am sure you will not be 

 displeased. The other, crossing the Brathay, 

 at Skelwith Bridge, is the one we took before, 

 leading into Little Langdale. 



AMICUS. Here, indeed, we have pleasure 

 after short toil. What an exquisite spot of 

 beauty ! 



PISCATOR. This is Loughrigg Tarn, " Diana's 

 looking glass," as our Poet has called it, the 

 most beautiful of our tarns ; indeed, almost 

 the only one that can truly be called beautiful, 

 wooded as its banks are in parts, cultivated 

 as they are in parts, and not without cottages ; 

 whilst the tarn of the district commonly is 

 situated on the wild, solitary, treeless fell, at 

 an elevation above enclosures, and culture, and 

 the dwellings of men. Here, at one time, a 

 little romance of life was formed: here the 

 friend of the Poet, the late Sir George Beau- 

 mont, once meditated having a home, and 

 would, it is understood, have accomplished it, 



