Page:A protest against the extension of railways in the Lake District - Somervell (1876).djvu/66

 Now, sir, I am not going to attempt myself, nor shall I ask you to attempt, to draw the line between the 'affluent' and the unaffluent classes; but the least affluent excursionists have legs; and such being the case, and supposing they are inclined to use them,—if they really love the fine scenery between Ambleside and Keswick, they have time in the nine or ten hours at their disposal to get into the heart of it.

But for those who are unable or unwilling to take a walk of 15 to 20 miles—is it really so,—that the cost of getting among the hills is 'far beyond their reach?' The return fare by steamer between Bowness and Ambleside is one shilling, and the 'bus from Waterhead to Grasmere a shilling or sixpence. I am within the truth in saying that hundreds of these excursionists might, for less money than they spend in paddling or being paddled about Bowness Bay, travel far into the heart of our hill country.

But living, as I do, at Windermere, I have taken some pains to study the bearing and temper of these crowds, and I do not scruple to say that the majority of the persons composing them are bored by our fine scenery, and have small care for anything in which the Lake District excels a suburban tea-garden.

Do not let me be thought to speak rashly. There are some of those who come to us for a day out of Lancashire and Yorkshire, who do love and enjoy the place; and the sight of their quiet, gladdened faces is beautiful and touching to behold. For their sakes, quite as much as for the sake of those whose means permit them to make a longer stay, I plead that the place may be kept as it is.

For observe—and this brings me to the examination of your position ('a railway—but as little of it as possible—and elegant bridges, &c.,')—when you make a railway to a place of perfect natural beauty, when you cast up your embankments and build your bridges, blast out your cuttings and bore your tunnels, erect your stations and sheds,