Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/42

24 guide informed me it had not been seen since the time I saw it, in 1794; it was then covered with rushes and coarse grass. It does not vary its situation in the lake, but it moves up and down. Philosophers must assign the cause of its rising and sinking, I cannot. It is, however, a matter of some curiosity.

The Salt Well, on the west side of Derwent Water, is not worth the trouble of getting to it.

The Wad, or blacklead mines, are curious, but difficult of access. In 1796, an overseer at them told me, the pure ore was sold, then, for fifty shillings a pound. I have been informed there are no other blacklead mines in the world, except in some part of the East Indies, and those very trifling. The people of Cumberland are, in general, very honest, but the blacklead is a temptation they cannot withstand; so that during the time the mines are open, the workmen are watched as narrowly as if they were digging for diamonds. These mines are only open for a certain period, then are closed for another period, and then opened again. The blacklead pencils to be had at Keswick are very fine, if bought of an honest maker; but very bad, as well as very good, are made there: it entirely depends upon the