Page:The Manchester and Thirlmere Scheme - Somervell (1878).djvu/13

 Were the sums annually expended by Lake Tourists alone, paid, as entrance fees, into the hands of a particular class of showmen, we should have, at once, a powerful "interest" ready to tell us what valuable pecuniary considerations were sacrificed by anything which marred the face of nature.

It now seems pretty certain that this scheme will be prosecuted by the Manchester Corporation with a vigour proportionate to the boldness with which it has been announced. This makes it most desirable that all such as feel an interest in the matter, on public grounds, should join with those who are personally and locally concerned, in making a strong and unmistakable protest against any needless tampering with the natural beauties of the English Lake District; and against the granting, by Parliament, of any power to do so, without a careful consideration of the case, in all its bearings; and, that not even the plea of sanitary benefit should enable a Corporation, or Board, to appropriate to themselves this or that Lake, as may suit their private taste or convenience. There should be a proved necessity, both as regards the want to be supplied, and the impossibility of supplying it in a less objectionable manner, before this is allowed.

apology is needed for bringing under the notice of those who visit and love the Lake District a matter so nearly concerning them as the proposal now made by the authorities of Manchester,—to turn the beautiful valley of Wythburn into a vast reservoir. The leading facts of the case are succinctly stated in the letter now reprinted. Here it is only needful to notice a few details of the scheme