MA 1581.233, p. [3]

mistook them for the water; but soon after we saw
the Lake itself gleaming faintly with a grey steely
brightness; then appeared the brown oaks, and the
birches of splendid colour, and, when we came still
nearer to the valley, the cottages under their tufts
of trees and the old Hall of Hartsop with its long
irregular front and elegant chimneys. We had
eaten our dinner under the shelter of a Sheep-fold
by the bridge at the foot of the mountain,
having tethered the pony at the entrance, where
it stood without one impatient beating of a
foot – I could not but love it for its meekness,
and indeed I thought we were selfish to enjoy
our meal so heartily while his poor jaws were
tethered by the curb bridle. We reached M^r
Luff’s about two hours before tea-time.
Thursday Nov^r 8^th

Incessant rain till eleven o’clock,
when it became fair, and W^m and I walked to
Blowick. Luff joined us by the way. The wind
was strong and drove the clouds forward along
the side of the hill above our heads; four or
five goats were bounding among the rocks;
the sheep moved about more quietly or cowered
in their sheltering places – the two storm-stiffened