EASED ALE TARN. 79 



the ferns. There is at all events an old guide, who 

 has built himself a little hut, and spends the sum- 

 mer days up here. He has a boat upon the tarn, 

 and offers to row the stranger about; or finds 

 him towels if he is disposed to bathe. His little 

 establishment undoubtedly mars the solitude, but 

 his knowledge of the mountains around is often 

 serviceable to strangers : to those at least who 

 can understand his dialect, which is a very pure 

 specimen of Westmorland. From Easedale the 

 pedestrian may pursue his way along the ridge to 

 Langdale^ or he may cross into Borrowdale ; but 

 more will be said of this hereafter. There is per- 

 haps nothing in natural scenery which conveys such 

 an impression of stillness as tarns which lie under 

 precipices : and here the rocks sweep down to the 

 brink almost round the entire margin. For hours 

 together the deep shadows move only like that of 

 the gnomon of the sun-dial ; and, when movement 

 occurs it is.not such as disturbs the sense of repose, 

 — the dimple made by a restless fish or fly, or the 

 gentle flow of water in or out, or the wild drake or 

 his brood paddling so quietly as not to break up 

 the mirror, or the reflection of some touch of sun- 

 light or passing shadow. If there is commotion 

 from gusts or eddies of wind, the effect is even 

 more remarkable. Little white clouds are driven 

 against the rocks, • — the spray is spilled in unex- 

 pected places ; now the precipices are wholly veiled, 

 and there is nothing but the rufiled water to be 

 seen, — and again, in an instant, the rocks are dis- 

 closed so fearfully that they seem to be crowding 

 together to crush the intruder. If this seems to 

 the inexperienced like extravagance, let hira go 



