Chapter IV: Part 4

During the later years of Mr. Linton's ownership, Brantwood was taken for the summer by the Rev. G. W. Kitchin, now Dean of Durham. In 1871, however, Mr. Linton sold the house to Prof. Ruskin.

Ruskin as a child often visited Coniston, and in 1830 at the age of eleven made his first written mention of the place in a MS. journal now in the Museum. In his _Iteriad_, a rhymed description of the tour of that date, he gave the first hint of his wish to live in the Lake District, and in the winter of 1832-33, at the age of nearly fourteen, he wrote the well-known verses which stood first in the earliest collection of his poems:--

I weary for the torrent foaming,
For shady holm and hill;
My mind is on the mountain roaming,
My spirit's voice is still.
The crags are lone on Coniston ...

remembering first and foremost, not Snowdon or Scotland, but Coniston. In 1837, as an Oxford man, he was here again, making notes for his earliest prose work, _The Poetry of Architecture_; and one of the illustrations was a sketch of the Old Hall from the water, the view which became so familiar afterwards from his windows at Brantwood.

Then for a while his interests turned to the cathedrals of France, the palaces and pictures of Italy, and to the loftier scenery of the Alps; but curiously enough he did not like the Matterhorn at first--it was too unlike "Cumberland," he said. In 1847, already a well-known author, he was looking out for a house in the Lake District, and staying at Ambleside. But the March weather was dull, and he had many causes for depression. As he rowed on Windermere he pined for the light and colour of southern skies. "The lake," he wrote home, "when it is quite calm, is wonderfully sad and quiet; no bright colour, no snowy peaks. Black water, as still as death; lonely, rocky islets; leafless woods, or worse than leafless; the brown oak foliage hanging dead upon them; gray sky; far-off, wild, dark, dismal moorlands; no sound except the rustling of the boat among the reeds." Next year he revisited the lakes in spring, and wrote soon after about a wild place he had found:--"Ever since I passed Shap Fells, when a child, I have had an excessive love for this kind of desolation."

It was not, however, until 1867 that he revisited the Lakes. He came to Coniston on August 10th and went up the Old Man, delighted with the ascent. We have already quoted his description of the view.

At last (it was in 1871, at the age of 52, being then Slade Professor at Oxford) he fell into a dangerous illness, and lay between life and death at Matlock. He was heard to say and repeat:--"If only I could lie down beneath the crags of Coniston!"

Before he was fairly well again he heard through his old friend, Mr. T. Richmond, that a house and land at Coniston were for sale. The owner, W. J. Linton, asked £1,500 for the estate, and he bought it at once. In September he travelled here to see his bargain and found the cottage, as it then was, in poor condition; but, as he wrote, some acres "of rock and moor and streamlet, and, I think, the finest view I know in Cumberland--or Lancashire, with the sunset visible over the same."

Next summer the house was ready for him, and thenceforward became his headquarters. From June, 1889, till his death he never left it for a night; indeed, the last time he went so far as the village was on April 7th, 1893, when he attended our Choral Society's concert.

It is needless to tell over again the story of his life at Brantwood; to describe the house that he found a rickety cottage, and left a mansion and a museum of treasures; the gardens, woods, and moor he tended; the surroundings of mountain and streamlet, bird and beast, child-pet and peasant acquaintance, now familiar to the readers of his later books and of the many books that have been written about him. But here it must not be left unsaid that Coniston folk knew him less as the famous author than as the kind and generous friend; eccentric and not easily understood, but always to be trusted for help; giving with equal readiness to all the churches, to the schools and Institute; and to these last giving not only his money, but his strength and sympathy. It was he who started the first carving classes, and promoted the linen industry; he lectured in the village (December, 1883) for local charities, and--what was perhaps most effective of all--carried out in practice his principle of employing neighbours rather than strangers, of giving the tradesfolk and labourers of the valley a share in his fortunes and interests. And perhaps in his death he did them almost a greater service. It was in obedience to his wishes that the offer of a funeral in Westminster Abbey was refused, and he was laid to rest--January 25th, 1900--"beneath the crags of Coniston," so linking his name for ever with the place he loved.

INDEX.

Above beck, 47, 48;
Bovebeck, 77.

ADDISON of Coniston, 48;
Adinson, 77.

"Allans," 44, 45.

Anglian settlement, 23.

Angling Association, 13.

Anglo-Cymric score, 25.

Arnside, 27.

ASHBURNER of Coniston, 77.

Ashgill quarry, 19, 66, 67.

ATKINSON of Coniston, 47-49, 57, 66, 67, 74.

BAINBRIDGE of Coniston, 77.

Bank ground, 9, 34, 77.

Banniside, 2, 6, 7, 18, 19.

Baptist chapels, 56, 57.

BARRATT of Coniston, 1, 60, 80.

BARROW of Coniston, 49, 74, 77.

Basalt, 1.

Beacons, 4, 12, 15.

"Beck, brook, burn," 26.

Beck Leven, 10, 62.

BEEVER of Coniston, 8, 52, 53, 79.

BELL of Coniston, 42, 68, 74, 76, 77.

Bethecar, 17.

BIRKETT, Rev. J., 49, 54.

Black Bull, 1, 60, 72, 73, 77.

Blawith, 15, 17, 62, 63.

Bleaberry haws, 19.

Bloomeries, 10, 11, 17, 62-65.

Bloomsmithy rent, 64.

Boathouses, 8, 9, 10.

Bobbin mills, 17, 69.

Bonfires, 4.

Booth crag and tarn, 7.

Bounding of pasture, 35.

Bowmansteads, 38, 48, 76.

BOWNASS of Coniston, 47, 50, 55, 56, 60, 65, 66, 68, 74-76.

Brantwood, 10, 81-84.

Brasses in church, 52, 78.

British village, 15.

Brow, 47, 48, 77.

Brown How, 12.

BUCCLEUGH, duke of, 12.

Burnmoor, 20.

BURNS of Coniston, 77.

Bursting-stone quarry, 7.

BYWATER, Dr., 80.

Carnarvon, Cumberland, 37.

Carrs, 5, 23.

Catbank, 47, 48, 75, 77.

Chapels at Coniston, 57.

Chapel Syke, 75.

CHAPMAN, Rev. C, 51, 54.

Char, 13.

Charcoal-burning, 18, 36, 63, 68.

Church Coniston, 29, 32.

Church of Coniston, 46-54.

Circles, stone, 16-21.

Clergy of Coniston, 54.

Colwith, 27.

Comet, 41.

Conishead Priory land, 63, 65.

Coniston Bank, 10, 17, 81, _and see_ Townend.

Coniston, the name, 24.

COPLEY of Brantwood, 81.

Coppermines, 2, 13, 22, 58-62.

COWERD of Coniston, 47, 48.

COWPER, Mr. H. S., 14, 19, 20, 22, 27, 32, 33, 35, 65, 80.

CREIGHTON of Coniston, 73, 77, 80.

Crowberry Haws, 2, 3.

Crown Hotel, 74, 75.

"Currock," 16.

DAWSON of Coniston, 76, 77.

Deer-parks, 10, 33, 44, 64.

Deer-traps, 20.

DEMETRIUS of Tarsus, 22.

DENISON of Coniston, 48.

DE QUINCEY at Coniston, 73.

Devil's footprints, 34-35.

DIXON of Coniston, 47-49, 74-77;
Dickson, 51.

Dixon ground, 2, 48, 76, 77.

DOUGLAS, Rev. J., 49, 54.

DOVER of Coniston, 47, 48.

Dow crags, 5, 6, 23.

Dykes, ancient, 19, 20.

EDRINGTON of Coniston, 77.

ELLWOOD, Rev. T., 25, 28, 61.

EVANS, Rev. F., 15.

Far end, 5, 47, 48, 77.

"Feet, fit," 27;
Fittess, 45.

Fellfoot, 27.

Fir island, 11.

Fir point, 9.

FLEMING, Fletcher, 27.

---- Lady le, 53-55, 67, 77.

---- of Coniston, 47-49, 51, 66, 75, 76.

---- of Coniston Hall, 37-44, 50, 52.

---- Sir Daniel, 13, 27, 41, 42, 44, 59, 64.

---- Sir Daniel (in 1819), 79.

---- Thomas le, 63.

Floating island, 13.

FORD of Monk Coniston, 68, 80.

Forge, 1, 62, 69.

Furness abbey, 29, 31-36, 63, 65.

Furness fells, 29, 34, 35.

Gaits water, 6, 45;
Goat's tarn, 71.

GASKERTH of Coniston, 69;
GASKETH, 77;
GASGARTH, 78;
GASKARTH, 81.

Gateside, 47.

GELDERD of Coniston, 75, 76;
GELDART, 77.

German miners, 58-60, 64.

Ghosts, 17.

Giant's grave, 15.

Giants of Troutbeck, 40.

GIBSON, Dr., 3, 19, 27, 34, 40, 42, 49-51, 55, 58, 60, 61, 75.

Gill, 48, 69.

Gillhead bridge, 1, 2.

Glacial action, 1, 2, 11.

Glen Mary, 26.

Goldscope quarries, 66, 67.

Gondola, 8.

GREEN, Wm., 66, 67, 73.

GRESLEY'S novel, _Coniston Hall_, 43.

Gridiron, 12.

Grisedale, 33.

"Grounds," 34.

Guards, 8, 26.

Half-penny alehouse, 72, 74, 80.

Hall, Coniston, 3, 10, 38-44, 71, 77.

Hallgarth, 48.

Hare crags, 19.

HARRISON of Coniston, 47-49, 77, 81.

"Hause," 2.

Hawkshead, 26, 31-33.

---- hill, 57.

Haws bank, 42, 74;
Hows bank, 47, 48.

Heald, 11, 18.

Heathwaite, 76.

High cross, 18.

HILLIARD, Mr. L. J., 78.

Hoathwaite, 10;
Huthwait, 47;
Outhwaite, 77.

HOBSON of Coniston, 47, 48.

Hodge close, 66, 77.

HODGSON of Coniston, 47.

Hollin bank, 77.

Holly how, 80.

Holme ground, 45, 77.

HOLMS of Coniston, 47.

Holywath, 1, 2, 47, 80.

How head, 77.

HUDSON of Brantwood, 81.

HUERTSON of Coniston, 77.

Hut-circles, 18, 19.

Institute, 53, 55, 56;
_and see_ Museum.

ION of Coniston, 76.

Iron industries, 32, 62-65;
_and see_ Bloomeries.

JACKSON of Tilberthwaite, 66-69, 74-77.

Jenkin syke, 22.

JOHNSON of Coniston, 66, 77.

Kendal, barons of, 29, 32, 37.

KENDALL, Dr., 20, 44, 55, 56.

Kernel crag, 3.

Kirkby quay, 9, 66.

KIRKBY of Coniston, 76, 77.

"Kirk Sinkings," 16.

KITCHIN, Dean, 82.

KNOTT of Monk Coniston, 42, 77, 80.

Lakebank hotel, 12.

Lake of Coniston, 8-13, 29, 32.

Lanehead, 9, 74, 80.

Lang crags, 1.

Lawson park, 18, 33, 35, 64, 77.

Levers hause, 5,6.

Levers water, 2-6;
Lever water, 71

Limestone, 2, 7.

Line or Lang gards, 44.

LINTON of Brantwood, 81, 82, 84.

Little Arrow, 38, 47, 48, 76, 77.

Low Bank ground, 9.

Low house, 48.

Low water, 2, 3, 5;
Lowwater fall, 3.

MACKRETH of Coniston, 69.

"Man, maen," 4, 23;
High Man, 18.

Manor of Coniston, 38, 44;
of Monk Coniston, 36.

MARSHALL of Monk Coniston, 5, 9, 26, 35, 68, 74, 77, 78, 80.

Meerstone, inscribed, 18.

MASACKS, MASSICKS of Coniston, 66, 74.

MASSEY, Gerald, 82.

Mills, 69, 72.

Mines, _see_ Copper.

Model of Coniston, 7.

Monk Coniston, 29, 31-36.

---- ---- hall, 35, 80.

---- ---- moor, 18.

---- ---- tarns, 4, 26.

Montague island, 12, 36.

Moors and their antiquities, 14-20.

Museum, 7, 12, 53, 55, 56, 67, 78.

Nibthwaite, 12, 13, 17, 62;
Neburthwaite, 33.

Nook, 48.

Norman settlement, 28-30, 37.

Norse settlement, 26-28, 30, 37.

NORTH of Coniston Bank, 81.

OLDFIELD, Lieut., 74.

Old Man, 1-7, 23.

Otters, 13.

Outlaws, 33, 34, 38.

Outrake, 48.

Oxenfell, 27, 77.

Oxness, 11.

Parkamoor, 17, 33, 35, 62, 64.

PARK, PARKE of Coniston, 48, 76, 77.

Park Yeat, 47, 48.

"Parrocks, parks," 33, 63, 64.

Partition of Furness, 29.

Peel island, 11, 12, 62, 65, 68.

Pennyrigg quarries, 5, 66.

Pilgrim's badge, 35.

Population, 69, 70.

Prehistoric antiquities, 15-21.

Priest stile, 46.

Priory, none at Coniston, 72.

Pudding-stone, 3.

Quarries, _see_ Slate.

RADCLIFFE, Mrs., at Coniston, 71.

Railway, 61.

Raven crag (Yewdale), 5.

Raven tor (Old Man), 3.

Rear or Ray crag, 45.

RIGBYE, Miss, 80.

Ring mounds, 16-19.

ROBINSON of Coniston, 47, 69, 72, 74, 76.

Roman Catholics, 40, 57.

Roman roads, 22.

ROULE, Sir R., 46.

Ruskin cross, 53.

RUSKIN, John, 4, 7, 10, 56, 57, 74, 83-85.

Saddlestones quarry, 3, 66.

SANDERS of Coniston, 77.

Satterthwaite, 33.

SAWREY of Coniston, 77.

Schools, 46, 54, 55.

Scrow, 2, 7.

Selside, 12, 17, 62.

SEVERN of Brantwood, 11, 55, 56, 81.

Ship inn, 74.

SIDNEY, Sir Philip, 40.

Silverbank, 1, 47, 48.

Simon Nick, 60.

Slate quarries, 2, 4, 5, 7, 65-68.

SLY of Coniston, 74.

Smartfield, 48.

SMITH, Elizabeth, 78.

Smithies, 64.

SMITH of Coniston Bank, 81.

SPEDDING of Coniston, 66, 75, 77.

Spoon hall, 76, 77.

Springs bloomery, 10, 62, 65.

Stable Harvey, 62, 65.

Statesmen, 74-77.

Stone rings, Burney, 16.

SUERT of Coniston, 77.

Sun hotel, 2, 74.

Sunnybank, 11, 57.

Swinside circle, 16, 21.

Tanneries, 68.

Tarn hows, Tarnhouse, 77.

Tarns, _see_ Monk Coniston, Gaitswater, Levers, Lowwater.

TENNYSON at Coniston, 78.

Tent cottage, 9, 35, 78.

Tent lodge, 9, 78.

Thingmounts, 27-29.

THOMPSON of Coniston, 66, 80.

Thurston water, 8, 13, 29, 32, 44, 72.

"Thwaite," 26.

Thwaite cottage, 80.

Thwaite house, 8, 79.

Tilberthwaite, 47, 48, 67, 77.

---- gill, 5; Micklegill, 45.

TODD, Mr. E., 56.

Tom or Tarn gill, 26, 62.

TOWERS of Coniston, 47, 48, 77.

Townend, 71, 72, 77, 81; _and see_ Coniston bank.

TOWNSON of Coniston, 49, 69, 78.

TUBMAN of Coniston, 76.

TURNER the painter at Coniston, 72.

TYSON of Coniston, 47, 48, 64, 66, 74, 77.

VICKERS of Coniston, 47, 66.

Volcanic rock, 2, 7.

WALKER of Coniston, 48, 66, 67, 77.

Walna scar, 20, 21.

WARSOP, Mr., 61, 62.

Waterhead, 35, 77, 80.

---- hotel, 8, 9.

---- old inn, 9, 74.

Waterpark (Coniston), 62, 64.

---- (Nibthwaite), 12, 33, 64; Watsyde park, 35.

Weatherlam, 2, 5, 26.

Welsh survivals, 23.

WEST, Father, 38, 39, 66, 71.

"Whittlegate," 46.

WILL O' T' TARNS, 40.

WILSON of Coniston, 66, 77.

WONDERFUL WALKER, 20, 72.

Wonwaldremere, 24.

Wood industries, 68, 69.

Woods, 36, 64.

WOODVILLE, Mr. T., 79, 81.

Woollen, burials in, 51.

WORDSWORTH at Coniston, 72, 80.

Yewdale, 5, 62, 77;
Udale, 48.

---- beck, 26, 44.

---- crag, 5, 10.

---- grove, 79.

Yewtree, 27;
Utree, 77.

YOUDALE of Coniston, 66.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

Telegraphic Address:--

"SUN HOTEL, CONISTON, LANCS."

Postal Address:--

"SUN HOTEL, CONISTON, R.S.O., LANCS."

_Sun_

_Hotel_

ENGLISH

LAKE

DISTRICT.

CONISTON.

Boarding Terms from 6/6 inclusive.

Hot and Cold Baths.

Separate Drawing Room for Ladies.

Public and Private Sitting Rooms.

Large or small Parties catered for.

PROPRIETOR - T. SATTERTHWAITE.

TYSON'S

Waterhead Hotel,

CONISTON LAKE, LANCASHIRE.

Headquarters "Automobile Club" of Great Britain & Ireland.

THIS FIRST-CLASS ESTABLISHMENT is the most delightfully situated
of any Hotel in the Lake District. It is surrounded with beautiful
pleasure grounds and select walks, from which excellent views
of Brantwood, the home of the late Professor Ruskin, and Tent
Lodge, for some time the residence of the late Lord Tennyson, are
obtained; and embraces most interesting Lake and Mountain Views.

Coniston Churchyard, the burial place of the late John Ruskin, and
the Ruskin Museum, are within a few minutes walk of the Hotel.

=Billiards. Lawn Tennis. Private Boats.=

Fishing.

A Steam Gondola runs daily on the Lake during the Season.

_Char a Banc. Open and Close Carriages and Post Horses._

=Coaches Daily to AMBLESIDE, GRASMERE, WINDERMERE and LANGDALES.=

AN OMNIBUS MEETS ALL TRAINS ARRIVING.

=J. TYSON, Proprietor.=

JOHN BAXTER,
Painter and Decorator,

Dealer in Paperhangings,
Glass, Oils, Colours, &c.

LAKE VIEW, CONISTON, R.S.O.

All Papers edged by Machine Free of Charge

ESTIMATES FREE.

WRITE FOR TITUS WILSON'S
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Post Free to any Address.

28, Highgate, Kendal.

_'Fairfield' Temperance Hotel_,

CAFE AND RESTAURANT,

_Opposite the Church._

Also a FANCY REPOSITORY with a fine selection of Pictorial Post
Cards, Crest and View China. _Dark Room._

JONATHAN BELL,

Joiner, Builder,
English timber
and Slate Merchant.

Complete Undertaker.

Plans made & Estimates given

for

every description of Building.

HAWS BANK, CONISTON, R.S.O.

LANCASHIRE.

_Titus Wilson, Printer, Kendal._

Transcriber's Notes

Very few changes have been made to the published text.

Obvious inconsistencies of punctuation have been resolved.

Inconsistencies of hyphenation have been retained except those
between text and index which have been resolved. Words in italics
are represented thus; _italic_ while words in bold are represented
thus; =bold=. Many abbreviations are shown with the (usually)
final character superscripted. These are represented by ^.