A HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND 
various points in strong sudden gusts, but it would appear that the 
general direction of the wind is not changed ; when the Bar advances 
so far as to reach the Helm the wind ceases. Neither the Helm nor the 
Bar forms separate or detached clouds, but each may rather be said to 
be the bold, clearly-defined front of a large body of clouds extending 
eastward behind the Helm and westward from the Bar. 
The open space between the Helm and the Bar varies from eight 
or ten to thirty or forty miles in length, and from half a mile to four or 
six miles in breadth ; it is of an elliptical form, as the Helm and Bar 
are united at the ends. . 
A representation of the Helm, Bar and space between may be 
made by opening the forefinger and thumb of each hand and placing 
their tips to each other; the thumbs will then represent the Helm 
on the top of the fell, the forefingers the Bar, and the open space 
between the variable limit of the wind. 
The wind is very irregular, but most frequent from the end of 
September to May ; it rarely occurs in the summer months." 
The villages of Milburn, Kirkland, Ousby, Melmerby and Gam- 
blesby are most subject to it; the more distant from the highest point 
the less it is felt ; it seldom occurs at Castle Carrock, and is known only 
by name at Talkin. Sometimes when the atmosphere is quite settled, 
hardly a cloud to be seen and not a breath of wind stirring, a small 
cloud appears on the summit, and extends itself to the north and south ; 
the Helm is then said to be on, and in a few moments the wind is 
blowing so violently as to break down trees, overthrow stacks, occasion- 
ally blow a person from his horse, or overturn a horse and cart. When 
the wind blows the Helm seems violently agitated, but on ascending the 
fell and entering it, there is not much wind. Sometimes a Helm forms 
and goes off without a wind, and there are easterly winds without a 
Helm. The open space is clear of clouds, with the exception of small 
pieces breaking off now and then from the Helm, and disappearing or 
being driven rapidly over to the Bar; but through this open space is 
often seen a higher stratum of clouds quite at rest. Within the space 
described, the wind blows continually ; it has been known to do so for 
nine days together, the Bar advancing or receding to different distances. 
When heard or felt for the first time it does not seem so very extra- 
ordinary, but when heard or felt for days together it gives a strong 
impression of sublimity. Its sound is peculiar, and when once known 
is easily distinguished from that of ordinary winds; it cannot be heard 
more than three or four miles, but when in the wind or near it, it has 
been compared to the noise made by the sea in a violent tempest. 
1 The above information has been chiefly obtained from a paper written in 1838 and read at the 
meeting of the British Association at Newcastle-on-Tyne in the same year. The Rev. Jno. Watson, 
the writer, was many years vicar of Cumrew, under Crossfell, and was well known to me in my earlier 
years. There is occasionally a slight helm on the Westmorland side of Ullswater. Kidsty Pike and 
High Street form the summit, and the surrounding conditions are quite analogous to those mentioned 
by Mr. Watson. I have witnessed it frequently during seventeen years’ residence on the Cumberland 
side of the lake.—W. H. 
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