Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
5G9 
eye ranges over a vast extent of country in the direction of 
Cockermouth and Marjport, and beyond the shining waters and 
sands of the Solway ; in the distance is seen the mountain of 
Criffel, in Kirkudbrightshire, a few miles south of Dumfries, in 
Scotland, a prominent object from all this western district of 
Cumberland. 
Lamplugh Cross, a hamlet in the parish, has a local reputa- 
tion of being 8 miles from everywhere. In fact, it is nearly 
equidistant from Whitehaven, Egremont, and Cockermouth. 
The village is very small, as befits so remote a district, but the 
parish is considerable. Close by the little church are the scanty 
remains of the old manor house, called Lamplugh Hall, with 
an entrance by a gateway, bearing the date 1595. The modern 
farmhouse, which retains the name and site, is occupied by Mr. 
Leathes. 
Characteristics of Farm and Elevation. — The farm is of a varied 
character, the cultivated part of it ranging in elevation from 
450 to about 700 feet, and the mountain sheep-walk running to 
the top of Lamplugh Fell, reaching 1878 feet in height above 
the sea. The 600-feet altitude line of the Ordnance Map runs 
quite across the centre of the farm, by the chui'ch and village ; 
so that this may be taken as the average elevation of this " Wet 
Vale," which is said to be the meaning of Lainplugh. On the 
mountain-side of the house rise boldly, and in beautiful swell- 
ings, the fells which form the sheep-pastures, and which are 
improved on their lower slopes, but gradually rise to the region 
of rock and storm and cloud. I will not allow myself to be 
led into description, but it is difficult to avoid saying a word of 
the splendid view which is to be had from even these lower 
slopes, the cultivated region at one's feet showing considerable 
signs of life and activity, with the railway creeping through its 
heart, and the smoke of mines or furnaces telling of human toil 
and prosperity. A deep cleft in the mountains opens just above 
the village, and on each side of this profound solitude rise in 
very steep slopes the Herdwick grazing-grounds. A prettier 
sight we have seldom seen than that which greeted us at our 
July visit, when the sheep having been collected on these slopes 
for our inspection, their cunning in eluding the collies which 
were engaged in the work of shepherding could be watched, 
and every movement of those sagacious animals could also be 
observed. The cul de sac in which this cleft terminates allowed 
a gazer on the lower ground a complete command of every 
manoeuvre. The farm extends over about 1105 acres, of which 
617 is fell-side sheep-run, 259 acres old pasture and meadow- 
land, and 230 arable " according to the lease ;" i.e. any portion 
of this may be broken up and used for alternate husbandry. 
