--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Wells, Hermon J. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 4 published: 1913-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Wells, Hermon J., "A Day in the English Lakeland," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 4 (February 1913): 368–374.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1604unse start_page: 368 end_page: 374 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1604unse publication_year: 1913 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Day in the English Lakeland 366 IMPROVEMENT ERA applied, and we wonder why we do not progress, and are always in the attitude of fault-finding, and our work becomes a drudgery instead of a pleasure. A man never gains in influence who speaks, acts or appears disrespectfully to those who are providing for him a livelihood. There is a saying: "This thing of trying to get even is what keeps so much misery in the world, and makes demons out of otherwise splendid men." Carlyle also said "Get your : happiness out of your work or you will never know what happiness is." Happiness comes in liking a thing, and when we like a thing we are going to give the very best thought and the very best service we have. There is no institution but what will recognize good, honest service. Men promote themselves, the institution does not promote them, and in this case opportunity is always present, and the man who takes advantage of it, does so because he knows how. He has the ability, he has the courage to push out and take the chance. Responsibilities gravitate to him because he can take care of them, and responsibilities go to no other kind of individuals. LOGAN, UTAH Department of Vocations and Industries BY B. H. ROBERTS VI — Courage to Take a Chance. One of the essentials in all departments of life is courage. This is no less true in the matter of choosing a vocation than in following one. Indeed much depends upon the strength of the courage with which one starts in his vocation. "Jack" should be taught to dare much in choosing his life's work. That is, while putting no false values upon his ability, he should be encouraged to rate himself at the height of his reasonable possibilities, and choose his vocation accordingly. And not only choose his vocation accordingly, but deter- — mine what shall be his station in that vocation novice or finished workman; master of his trade, profession, line of business, calling, art; or only a middling workman, unskilful, untrusted and not honored in his industrial life. Without controversy "Jack" should be taught to look high for his vocation, as high as talents and character warrant him in looking. Having chosen he should now be taught to look to the very summit of possibilities within his vocation, with the view of attaining it. It is no inordinate ambition to seek and attain excellence DEPARTMENT OF VOCATIONS AND INDUSTRIES 367 in workmanship, skill in a profession, proficiency in one's art, effec^ tiveness in a business calling. Ambition in these directions means only the making of one capable of better and of more service in his particular line of endeavor. Ambition becomes inordinate only when it becomes mischievous to others; when it would prompt its possessor to rise at the expense of others; when it regards not the rights of others. — Well, not to wander too far afield, all this choosing the highest thing in the way of a vocation that his talents warrant him in selecting; and then following that vocation with a view of attaining to the — highest possible development in it that requires courage, daring. Much is said in these modern days of giving a boy a chance; we had better inspire him with the courage that will prompt him to take one. As Herbert Kaufman recently said, in a popular publication, "The best way to get a chance is to take one." Then he continues: "Sure things are poor things. When you strike a certainty, you strike limitations. The making of profit almost always means the taking of risk. "Currents are seldom found close to shore. If you mean to swim far, you must dive into the depths, and strike out boldly for the channel. The weakling who won't wade beyond his ankles simply gets cold feet. "There are times when it may seem wise to back away from the it isn't cowardice which backs you into a risk ahead, but be sure that greater danger behind. "Conservatism ceases to be a virtue when it stifles enthusiasm. Caution, like the tail of a kite, is valuable only so long as it steadies, but when there's too much of it, like too heavy a tail, it will hold you down. "Energy and imagination are both meant for use; inaction rusts the vitality out of ability."' Let our association committee-men, in this department, inspire our youth with the courage that will not merely ask for a "chance," but will start out bravely and find one, and take it when found. Courage is one of the cabalistic pass-words to success. AT THE FAIR A Day in the English Lakeland BY HERMON J. WELLS English weather is a great blessing. Being synonymous with uncertainty, it affords rare opportunities for the philosopher and conversationalist. And what better means for the exhibition of patience than, when a cycling trip has been carefully arranged, to have the independent old Sun hide his head under thick, black clouds which soon pour down sheet after sheet of water, to the thorough extinction of excursionists' hopes and the bedraggling of all wayfarers. Such spasmodic showers from scowling heavens have been usual, so when, this evening, the sky continues to show bright and clear, four of us ardent spirits, after a long day's ramble at Beetham, resolve to place our much-abused confidence in the new month of July and extend our trip to Lakeland for a day. The delights of this district are well heralded during the approach. From Kendalon, the road becomes more undulating, and the surroundings more mountainous. It seems, as we pass between the rolling hills of various shape, carpeted with grass and hovering ferns, and of ever-increasing heights, that we are entering a region of enchantment through sacred portals. It is just at that peaceful time when the sun sinks to rest and all nature seems "breathless with adoration." The hush is that of labor done only the soft twittering of hidden birds, or the distant bark- ; ing of a noisy dog, break the silence. As we pierce further, the beauty and wildness grow apace. Clumps of huge oaks and spreading beeches add to the delight of shrub and grass, while great fields of uncultivated marguerites increase a wonderful variety and charm of wood and stream and mountain. The ancient stone fences become rougher and neglected, and though a few white cottages of rock dot the fell sides yet they seem to harbor solitude itself. The sun, taking one last peep over that wooded hill, casts over all a sheen of mellow light. Turning away, we pass hurriedly on in fear that we shall never reach Bowness by dusk. But, after a plod up a long hill, drink at a cool spring, and then an exhilarating coast into the valley beyond, we are shown the folly of such anxieties with a view of Windermere, the largest of the lakes, reflecting the blue of the sky and the beauty of its wooded banks and green islands A DAY IN THE ENGLISH LAKELAND 369 with their enlivening villas. In ten minutes more of descent we reach Bowness, prettily situated in a small bay on the eastern bank, and presenting a quaint arrangement of hotels, shops and other tourist conveniences. With a wash and a meal we are sufficiently refreshed to enjoy a row on the quiet coolness of the lake in the gloaming. On the return journey we lose our way for a time, but sky-rockets fired by presumptuous Yankees, who are celebrating the glorious Fourth, to the intense disgust of some English bystanders, at the very edge of the water, guide us from our black surroundings into more visible parts. The dreamy atmosphere, and our day's exertions, conduce weariness at last, though one is apt to neglect sleep in this charming district. But, in spite of this last, we must confess that it requires a 1 3*" JL. 1 e4» e&'4o** THE NORTH END OF WINDERMERE lusty hammering of the door by our punctual host, and dwelling thoughts of breakfast in speedy preparation, to stir us on the following morning. After the meal we bid good-by to the tiny seaport and, passing along a splendid road on the edge of Windermere, which is shining beautifully in the morning sunlight, we penetrate the amphitheatre of lofty hills which enclose its northern end. Nestling at the foot of these is Ambleside, lovely on this freshsummer's morning. This hamlet is supposed to have been a Roman station, and its surroundings are both beautiful and famous. Encircled as it is by sheltering hills, with its nearby 370 MPROVEMENT ERA streams and waterfalls, its moss-grown bridges and quiet, reposeful nooks, it possesses an air of seclusion and retirement which even the presence of the hustling tourist and noisy wagonette cannot destroy. The cry of the party, however, is "a general view of a great deal," so our plans for the day will admit of no dalliance, nor even jus- tifiable delay. We search out the road and, speeding on, arrive almost immediately at the small Rydal water, which has crept up among the grasses of its gentle shores, soften- ing the edges with green, and re- flecting in its rippling clearness the high mountain which stands as pro- tector of its silence and repose. Here it was that Wordsworth, in his later life,dreamed and thought and wrote his most powerful verse, and here it was he died. There is a rock from which, they say, he often mused, overlooking the lake, and every tour- ist passing on the road feels bound to clamber up and sit him down com- placently in that self-same spot. OLD BRIDGE, AMBLESIDE g^ ^ seem§ easier ^ assodate Wordsworth with the charming little village and the sunny lake of Grasmere which burst upon us like a revelation as the road turns sharply. Here is the quaint and humble Dove cottage where he lived, from 1799 to 1808, with his sister Dorothy and his wife; where Coleridge, Scott, Charles Lamb and other guests of present great renown were entertained. It is now presided over by a pleasant old dame who, for sixpence, will take one all. through the premises and also remember many interesting details of the poet's life, with remarkable accuracy. And here is the church of "rude and antique majesty" with "oaken benches ranged in seemly rows" in whose quiet yard the great master is buried, and which contains a tablet with the following inscription : rydal lake and silver bow To the Memory of William Wordsworth, A True Philosopher and Poet, A DAY IN THE ENGLISH LAKELAND 371 Who, By the Special Gift and Calling of Almighty God, Whether He Discoursed on Man or Nature, Failed Not to Lift Up the Heart to Holy Things, Tired Not of Maintaining the Cause of the Poor and Simple; And So, in Perilous Times, Was Raised Up to Be a Chief Minister, Not Only of Noblest Poesy, But of High and Sacred Truth. This Memorial is Placed Here by His Friends and Neighbors In Testimony of Respect, Affection and Gratitude, Anno Dom. MDCCCLI. Beyond the village of Grasmere we soon began the long ascent to the top of Dunmail Raise and, as the scenery be- comes wilder, the sun hotter, and the bicycles heavier, we find hunger and thirst gaining alarming headway. An important discussion takes place, during which much wisdom is unmuzzled, the ultimate result being that we dine like kings, on bread and milk, at a nearby farmhouse. Feeling much refreshed, and grimly determined to reach Keswick in short order, we climb on, envious of william Wordsworth those who are traveling in the opposite direction, until the top of the pass is reached. Then we covet no man's hold on gravitation, for we have but to sit still and steer straight, to coast for miles at lightning speed. A view of Lake Thirlmere and the towering Helwellyn are now obtained. The lake is winding and narrow, being nowhere more than onethird of a mile wide, though over three in length. A steep dove cottage, grasmere, down-hill takes us past the Wordsworth's home cluster of small houses called Wythburn, and there lies the peaceful water close at hand, seem- 340 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing to bask in the warm sun while mirroring the clear sky and the picturesque crags and woods of its further side. Rising on the THIRLMERE east and pouring cascades down their broad sides to feed the valuable lake are the giant mount and his companions. Thirlmere is now the property of the Manchester corporation which has made of her a reservoir for the thirsty thousands of the city, by ' raising her water level twenty feet with a dam at the north end, and conveying the water through an aqueduct ninety-six miles long. We sigh for more time to gaze, but a glance as we Tur-"*! ride past is all we may permit ourselves. Then, push- coaches descending dunmail raise ing on through beauteous woods, up and down dale, we reach Keswick at last. It is situated close to Derwentwater, and amid other attractive places. And therein lies its distinction, for of itself, 'tis just a busy little market town with perplexing tangles in its street arrangement, and not much to lure the visitor. Threading our way through the maze, we find the broad, blue lake and, at its edge, a clamorous old boat-tender who assures us