down to Ingleton, past the side of Ingleborough.  The mountain was about nine miles distant.  We turned to the right and immediately descended Dent-dale.  The three dales (to Hawes, to Ingleton, and to Dent) lay their heads together in a most amicable way, so that, when at the top, it is equally easy to descend down either of them.  We found very soon that Dent-dale is much more beautiful than that by which we had ascended.  The sides of the hills are steeper, and perhaps higher:  the bottom is richer.  The road is also better.  The river is a continued succession of very pretty falls, almost all of which have scooped out the lower strata of the rock, so that the water shoots clear over.  For several miles (perhaps 10) it runs upon bare limestone without a particle of earth.  From the head of the dale to the village of Dent is eight miles.  At about half-way is a new chapel, very neat, with a transept at its west end.  The village of Dent is one of the strangest places that I ever saw.  Narrow street, up and down, with no possibility of two carriages bigger than children’s carts passing each other.  We stopped at the head inn and enquired about the Geolog:  but he is not in the country.  We then called on his brother, who was much surprised and pleased to see us.  His wife came in soon after (his daughter having gone with a party to see some waterfall) and they urged us to stop and dine with them.  So we walked about and saw every place about the house, church, and school, connected with the history of the Geolog:  and then dined.  I promised that you should call there some time when we are in the north together and spend a day or two with them.  Mr Sedgwick says it is reported that Whewell will take Sedbergh living (which is now vacant:  Trinity College is patron).  Then we had our chaise and went to Sedbergh.  The very mouth of Dent-dale is more contracted than its higher parts.  Sedbergh is embosomed among lumping hills.  Then we had another carriage to drive to Kendal.

* * * * *

Here is a recollection of Wordsworth: 

SALUTATION, AMBLESIDE,
1841, Sept. 19.

We then got our dinner at Lowwood, and walked straight to Ambleside, changed our shoes, and walked on to Rydal to catch Wordsworth at tea.  Miss Wordsworth was being drawn about in a chair just as she was seven years ago.  I do not recollect her appearance then so as to say whether she is much altered, but I think not.  Mr Wordsworth is as full of good talk as ever, and seems quite strong and well.  Mrs Wordsworth looks older.  Their son William was at tea, but he had come over only for the day or evening.  There was also a little girl, who I think is Mrs Wordsworth’s niece.

1842

“In this year I commenced a troublesome work, the Description of the Northumberland Telescope.  On Sept. 9th I wrote to the Duke of Northumberland suggesting this, sending him a list of Plates, and submitting an estimate of expense L120.  On Sept. 19th I received the Duke’s assent.  I applied to Prof.  Challis (at the Cambridge Observatory) requesting him to receive the draughtsman, Sly, in his house, which he kindly consented to do.