The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-11-29

tourists, NOT OuIy peSauSS " |
ural attractions, but also on account
sf its literary associations.
First among recorded tourists "
Lakeland was Gray, the poet author
of the "Elegy in a Country Cnurcn
ward" says Country Life. He visiteu
the westmoreland and Cumberland
lakes in 1869, the year before Worus-
worth, the most outstanding among
the lake school of poets, was Dorn'
He discovered the lakes, alike IN
touring and literary sense, and being |
essentially Of the eighteenth century,
no fed from them and the grandeur
Of their scenery in dismay. For not
then had the picturesque been IN
vented. The beauties OF wild nature
were not appreciated, and had tney
been the roads of that age ana, the
lack of proper accommodation were
powerful deterrents.
But for close upon century Lake
land has been a greatly appreciated
touring ground. Scenery and the nt-
erary associations with wordsworth,
Southey. Coleridge, De Quincy ana
their circle, have attracted every type
of holiday maker. First came the
vacation reading parties of university
students, then the honeymoon couples
TO whom the Low Wood hotel, Ample
side, was ONCE, in sense, sacreo'
and then the railways brought TOUR
lists from far and near. But not until
the automobile came upon the roads
was Lakeland comfortably or THOR
Oughly to be explored.
The tourist by motor car here mas
choice Of every kind OF road, or no
road. and may, If he will, take MS
snort in transforming with the most
adventurous, or take his sightseeing
along roads as good as any IN THIS
country. 1t is all matter OF taste
and inclination. The ideal way OF
seeing Lakeland is undoubtedly that
of selecting some central spot at wnicn
! to stay and taking from it daily, out
M nnd home, excursions. This is SO for
several reasons; chief among them
that Of the somewhat limited area OF
the lake district, which may be stated
at about thirty miles square. Inc
lakes figure so largely in popular I'M
agination that this will seem scarcely
credible; yet any reference to maps
will prove the truth of 1t. But it does
not follow from this sheer matter-of
fact measurement that this region Is
easily seen or sooH exhausted.
Grasmere In the Center.
Exactly In the center of the LAKE
district is Grasmere, central geographi
cally. and in it's interest, for it wa
Wordsworth's home, and in its church
yard he lies.
There are five recognized centers 10
tourists in these regions: Windermere
Ambleside and Grasmere, about equl
distant, some four miles from one al
! other: Keswick, thirteen miles furthe
north. and Coniston, somewhat lst
lated, seven miles southwest OF An
bleside. 1t would be thankless tas
to declare any preference anon
these, but we will take Grasmere
the very focus Of the lakes.
Grasmere village is sweet and gr'
eious place. Here Wordsworth reside
for more than fifty years. His late
homes here are not accesslDfe, p'
Dove Cottage, where he wrote
earliest and best, has been preserve
as it was in his day, and is the reso
of literary pilgrims, while the unpf
tending church beside the Riv
Rotha is much the same as he knew
That is an interesting day trip, alol
excellent roads, which takes us nor
to Cockermouth, the old market TOW
at the extreme northerly edge OF Lax
land. where his birthplace, In Ma
street, is still shown.
The way runs by Dunmail RAISE
wythburn whose little church, one
the smallest in England, is neighbor
nv the Nays Head Inn, where the 9
tfaiesmen and their wives put up tn
horses while attending service IN oio
times. The road then runs alongsl
rhirlmere, with the imposing mot
cain, Helvellyn. 3,11S feet, on ng
4 Keswick town comes next; cons
erable place for this part OF the col
J, try. and with an oddly foreign appe
, ~ ance. caused chiefly by the chur
Hold IKE building Greatly the town hail.
g 8 ,s& me middle Of the street. The en-
mig ihustry is the making OF lead p
'perd ventwater Loveliest Lake.
snps But wentwater itself is the :
,i &C rsvard e journey. 1t is genera
5 s sskes, and = .,so the most acce.
}; lie. go T. Acircling it. Beyt
!. Keswacn. southe ia Hall, once
nome q ..s Watefs come to B
ssnsn ~. nsnd road, fably tax \
4he iefl-nA across the 3.054 Il
saen y some :.