56 STOCKGHYLL FOECE. 



The descent to all tbe Ambleside inns is steep, — 

 past the old church, and through a narrow street, 

 and into the space dignified with the 

 BMsiDB, ^g^jjjg Qf j^Yie market-place, and actually 

 exhibiting an ancient market-cross. Half-a-dozen 

 of the few shops of the town are in or about the 

 market-place, and the Salutation and Commercial 

 Inns and the White Lion, the three principal inns, 

 are all conspicuous in it. 



If his time in Ambleside is precious, the stranger 

 may use the sunset or twilight hour for seeing 

 Stockghyll Force, while his supper is 

 '"'°BOB^B^'^ preparing. He is directed or guided 

 through the stable-yard of the Saluta- 

 tion inn, when he passes under a taU grove of old 

 trees on the right hand, the stream being on the 

 left. On the opposite bank is the bobbin-mill, the 

 one industrial establishment of Ambleside, placed 

 there on account of the abundant supply of coppice 

 wood obtainable in the neighbourhood. The stacks 

 of wood are seen, high up on the bank; and the 

 ivy-clad dwelling of the proprietor ; and then the 

 great water-wheel, with its attendant spouts and 

 weir, and sounds of gushing and falling water. 

 The ugly, tall chimney behind it is a memorial of 

 the drought of 1859. The proprietor of the mill 

 suffered so severely from want of water to carry on 

 his trade, that he determined no other summer 

 should find him unprepared with a more reliable 

 power. Where the path forks towards and away 

 from the stream, the visitor must take the left hand 

 one. The other is the way up Wansfell. His 

 path leads him under trees, and up and through a 

 charming wood, with the water dashing and brawl- 



