THE NATUKALISTS OF LAKELAND. 



Nearly two centuries have elapsed since the Fauna of Lakeland Dr. Robinson. 



first attracted the attention of Dr. Robinson, a learned divine, 



who amused himself with making observations on the habits of 



Rooks and other commonplace incidents. The Essay towards a 



Natural History of Westmorland and Cumberland appeared in two 



small volumes, published in 1709. They do not contribute 



anything of interest to our literature, or show much knowledge 



of zoology, but the author writes with a self-confidence that 



often affords diversion. He deserves all credit for having made 



an effort to touch the subject, however superficially. 



James Clarke, a native of Ulleswater, possessed little more James Clarke. 

 scientific knowledge than Dr. Robinson, but he was a shrewd 

 and painstaking observer. Nobody can afford to speak lightly 

 of one who could say with sincerity : ' For my own part, I am 

 never wearied with researches into nature.' 1 Clarke was a land- 

 surveyor, and lived at Penrith. His earliest years must have 

 been passed at no great distance from the shores of Ulleswater. 

 The Rev. T. Lees, F.S.A., believes that Clarke w~as born in the 

 neighbourhood of Watermillock. It is probably to this circum- 

 stance that we owe the mention of the Osprey, of Eagles, and 

 other animals in the appendix of the important folio work which 

 he launched in 1787, entitled A Survey of the Lakes of Cumber- 

 land, Westmorland, and Lancashire. Clarke enjoyed the reputa- 

 tion of an unconventional character, devoted to exploring alone 

 the mountains of his native district, yet by no means averse to 

 sharing the good-fellowship of his acquaintances. One of the 

 best-known stories regarding James Clarke represents him as 

 absenting himself from home for many months, while engaged 

 in collecting the materials required for his book. His wife 

 eonsoled her anxiety by informing the neighbours that news 

 i Survey of the Lakes, p. 191. 



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