TALES AND LEGENDS |
No part of the world possesses so many charms for thecontemplative mind as the admirable scenery of ourEnglish Lake District. None can furnish so wide a fieldfor the excursions of a playful imagination, as thosepeaceful glens which are formed by the fantastic sweepsof our northern mountains.
The lover of nature, whose delight it is to traverse thisromantic region, beholds here scenes the most lovelyopening out on every hand. Mountains and dales wildenough, in all conscience, amidst which are hidden placid,silver lakes, embosomed in the most delicious, fairylandvalleys, diversified with beautiful mansions, and snow-whitecottages, nestling in all the luxuriance of their nativewoods and coppices.
It has been justly said that the district from Lancaster,and the Bay of Morecambe, to the borders of Scotland,includes in its territory the richest valleys, the wildestmountains, the dreariest moorlands, the greenest meadows,the most barren rocks, the thickest and most verdant woods,the sweetest towns and villages, the smoothest rivers, whichthe salmon loves to haunt; the most turbulent mountainstreams, in whose dark pools, here and there, the speckledtrout finds a dwelling-place; the gayest garden flowers, theloveliest heaths that ever grew wild, high hills, deep mines,noble families, and the loveliest maidens of the land.
Whether we contemplate the sublime grandeur of itsmountains, or listen to the melodious murmurs of thedistant waterfalls, or meditate along the margins of itswoodland streams in the evening's calm, we must beenchanted with the scene, and feel fully prepared to exclaimwith the poet:—
The Lake District has long been regarded as the romantic"classic ground" of England. The Tour of Gray andothers formerly, and the works and residence of some ofthe most celebrated poets of our day, have thrown a "sacredhalo" around it in the eye of the stranger, endeared as it is[Pg vi]by living and departed genius; and have exalted theenthusiasm with which the visitor surveys a region thatembodies more variety of charming scenery, and ofpicturesque magnificence, than an equal space of our ownor of any other country. In extent, indeed, the sisterkingdoms may surpass it, but not in beauty; and, save intheir "diadem of snow," its mountains may be said to rivalthe sublimity of the Alps, without their vastness. Where,in all Europe, in all the wide world, can more lovely andenchanting spots be found than are embosomed amongst thelakes and mountains of Cumberland and Westmorland?
The increased and increasing facilities afforded for visitingthe unrivalled scenery of the Lake district, naturally excitea corresponding desire to supply the tourist with everyincident connected with this interesting locality.
The great number of popular publicatio