[ 132 ]
fertile meadows; beyond whose verdant carpet appeared the vale of Lonsdale, bearing on its broad expansive bosom every constituent of rural beauty; and throwing beneath the eye a lengthened scene of fertility and happiness, shut up in the distance by the enormous mountain Ingleborough, which lifts its truncated head far above the other hills, at the extremity of this delicious vale. The scene justifies the remark of Grey, who says, that " every " feature which constitutes a perfect landscape of " the extensive sort, is here not only boldly marked, " but also in its best position."
Here we bade a long adieu to fine views and picturesque scenery; and dragged slowly on over a very disagreeable jolting road, through Garstang to Preston; but having on both sides a soil rich and productive, famous in particular for a peculiar breed of horned cattle, the first in England. They are of a smaller size than the Lincolnshire, of ele- gant shape, and beautifully curled hair, with wide spreading horns and strait backs. The potatoe also appeared in vigour and profusion, offering a consolatory prospect for the ensuing winter; a root affording diet to the peasantry of Lancashire and Cheshire, long before it was eaten in other parts of England, ir is said to have been received into the country we were now travelling through about one
�� �
