ASCENT OF SKIDD AW. 135 



and perpetual liability to mist, will not dispute the 

 benefit of having- a guide ; and novices ought to 

 defer to their judgment. If we have seemed to 

 dwell long- on this point, it is because warning is 

 grievously wanted. It will probably not be taken 

 by those who need it most; but it ought to be 

 offered. — Even in the mild ascent of green Skid- 

 daw, then, there is need of a guide. 



At the distance of half a mile from Keswick, 

 on the Penrith road, just through the toll-bar, a 



sKiDDAw. b^idg"® crosses the Greta. The road, 

 after crossing this bridge, winds round 

 Latrig-g-. The path is at first through a wood, known 

 as Birket Wood. On emerging, the traveller sees a 

 gate into a field on the left. He must go a few 

 yards forward in this field, as it commands a 

 wonderfully fine view of the plain of Keswick, 

 the two lakes, Borrowdale and the surrounding 

 mountains. After returning to the road, about a 

 hundred yards further on, he may notice a zigzag 

 path on his right. This is the best ascent of 

 Latrigg, and is little known. His own way is 

 now in the direction of Low Man, and across 

 the barren part known as Skiddaw Forest. The 

 traveller soon passes the King of Saxony^s well, 

 so-called because the King of Saxony and his 

 party dined here when they ascended Skiddaw. If 

 the stranger is thirsty, he must stop to refresh 

 himself here, for this is the only water he will get 

 till he descends. The plain of Keswick, and the 

 lake and its islands now grow smaller, and the sur- 

 rounding mountains seem to swell and rise as the 

 road gently climbs the side of Skiddaw; and when 

 about half way up, that lower world disappears, 



