Farm-Prize Competition, 1880. 
577 
through which the river Cocker empties their waters. As one 
descends the road from Scale Hill, having left behind the wild 
Honister Crag and neighbouring hills, a delightful view opens 
out. A luxuriant vale, which seems even softer by contrast 
with the country left behind, unfolds itself. The view is not 
only one of uncommon beauty, but of great extent, embracing 
the Solway and Scotch mountains beyond. The traveller feels 
inclined to linger in such a scene. There is no approach to 
this valley which does not exhibit it in an attractive light. 
Whether gradually nearing the mountains from Cockermouth, 
or descending upon the valley from their flanks, it is equally 
fascinating. 
In the most beautiful part, where lawns and meadows and 
trees, set off by human habitations, form a picture which seems 
to laugh at the stern hills which hedge in the vale, lies the 
little village of Lorton, and here is Mr. Mounsey's farmhouse. 
The pretty pastures of the residence called Lorton Park, which 
form part of the farm, are a pleasant feature in the occupation. 
Their extent, however, is small. About 37 acres lie directly 
in front of the mansion in question, and 10 acres more of the 
same description of land lie just beyond the rustic little church, at 
a short distance farther down the valley. This might have been 
the scene of many of Wordsworth's descriptive pieces, so free is 
it kept 
" From all intrusion of the restless world, 
By rocks impassable and mountains huge." 
But what connects it specially with his verse is the 
" Yew-tree, pride of Lorton vale," 
which is close to Mr. Mounsey's pastures. The conceit which 
made this ancient tree 
" Not loth to furnish weapons for the hands 
Of Umfraville or Percy, ere they marched 
To Scotland's heaths; or those that crossed the sea 
And drew their sounding bows at Agincourt, 
Perhaps at earlier Crecy or Poictiers" 
has drawn many tourists to its shade, and associated it indeliblj 
with the poet ; but recent storms have sadly lopped its glories. 
The land here is perfectly flat, and, besides its beauties and 
its associations to recommend it, has the further virtue of being 
good in quality, though, from its gravelly nature, incapable of 
bearing much drought, which, from the proximity of the 
mountains, it is not often visited by. 
There are two or three other enclosures of scattered land not 
far off, which are occupied as accommodation closes for shelter, 
&c., and a rather larger lot of about six acres is passed in 
VOL. XVI. — S. S. 2 P 
