198 LANGDALE PIKES. 



finely under the steep rocks of Pavey A.rk. There 

 is nothing amidst this mountain scenery more 

 interesting- than its tarns. Their very use is one 

 which gratifies one's sense of beauty : their use is 

 to cause such a distribution of the waters as may 

 fertilize without inundating the lands below. After 

 rains, if the waters came down all at once, the 

 vales would be flooded, — as we see, very incon- 

 veniently, by the consequences of improved agri- 

 cultural drainage. The tarns are a security, as 

 far as they go ; and at present the only one. The 

 lower brooks swell after rain, and pour them- 

 selves into the rivers, while the mountain-brooks 

 are busy in the same way, emptying themselves 

 into the tarns. By the time the streams in the 

 valley are subsiding, the upper tarns are full, and 

 begin to overflow; and now the overflow can be 

 received in the valley without injury. As for their 

 aspects, under all lights, and in all weathers, they 

 must be studied on the spot, for no description can 

 afford any impression of the truth to highway- 

 tourists. 



If the traveller means to ascend Harrison Stickle, 

 (the higher of the Langdale Pikes,) it will be from 

 this point. The summit of the Pike is 2,409 feet 

 above the level of the sea. The height is not very 

 great ; but the view is interesting, from being 

 unlike most others that can be obtained, — extend- 

 ing over the level country to the south and south- 

 east, while commanded by the loftiest peaks in the 

 district. Passing the way up the Pike, the moorland 

 path leads over into Easedale, and down upon 

 Easedale Tarn, which has been noticed at p. 78. 

 There is a way down into Borrowdale also, by 



