Description

Tales and Legends of the English Lakes

207 pages 

No part of the world possesses so many charms for the contemplative mind as the
admirable scenery of our English Lake District. None can furnish so wide a field for the
excursions of a playful imagination, as those peaceful glens which are formed by the
fantastic sweeps of our northern mountains.
The lover of nature, whose delight it is to traverse this romantic region, beholds here
scenes the most lovely opening out on every hand. Mountains and dales wild enough, in all
conscience, amidst which are hidden placid, silver lakes, embosomed in the most delicious,
fairyland valleys, diversified with beautiful mansions, and snow-white cottages, nestling in
all the luxuriance of their native woods 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 wildest mountains, the
dreariest moorlands, the greenest meadows, the most barren rocks, the thickest and most
verdant woods, the sweetest towns and villages, the smoothest rivers, which the salmon
loves to haunt; the most turbulent mountain streams, in whose dark pools, here and there,
the speckled trout finds a dwelling-place; the gayest garden flowers, the loveliest 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 its mountains, or listen to the melodious
murmurs of the distant waterfalls, or meditate along the margins of its woodland streams
in the evening’s calm, we must be enchanted with the scene, and feel fully prepared to
exclaim with the poet:—
“Lives there a man with soul so dead,
As never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!”
The Lake District has long been regarded as the romantic “classic ground” of England. The
Tour of Gray and others formerly, and the works and residence of some of the most
celebrated poets of our day, have thrown a “sacred halo” around it in the eye of the
stranger, endeared as it is by living and departed genius; and have exalted the enthusiasm
with which the visitor surveys a region that embodies more variety of charming scenery,
and of picturesque magnificence, than an equal space of our own or of any other country. In
extent, indeed, the sister kingdoms may surpass it, but not in beauty; and, save in their
“diadem of snow,” its mountains may be said to rival the sublimity of the Alps, without
their vastness. Where, in all Europe, in all the wide world, can more lovely and enchanting
spots be found than are embosomed amongst the lakes and mountains of Cumberland and
Westmorland?
The increased and increasing facilities afforded for visiting the unrivalled scenery of the
Lake district, naturally excite a corresponding desire to supply the tourist with every
incident connected with this interesting locality.
The great number of popular publications as Guides and Tours to the Lakes, which, at
different intervals, have been eagerly received, is a striking proof of the patriotic interest
that attaches to the district. These, though they are, many of them, replete with valuable
information, and render the traveller much necessary aid, are most of them deficient in
their allusion to the history and traditions of some of the more remarkable sites of this
romantic region.