It is therefore not to be wondered at, that during the greater part of a century, where the old Border _raids_ of violence have ceased, excursions of a very different character should have taken their place. Every summer brings down upon the valleys clouds of visitors from every corner of our island, and from many countries of Europe and America, eager to enjoy their freshness and beauty, and breathe a new life in the companionship of the lakes and hills. And if in a spirit somewhat more akin to the moss-trooping Borderer of an earlier time, an occasional intruder has scoured the vales in search of their traditions; and in the pursuit of these has ransacked their annals, plundered their guides, and levied a sort of black-mail upon even casual and anonymous contributors to their history; it may in some degree extenuate the offence to remember that such literary free-booting makes no one poorer for what it takes away; and that the _opima spolia_ of the adventurer are only so much gathered to be distributed again. More especially to the Notes which constitute so large a portion of the present Volume may this remark be applied. Scenery long outlasts all traditional and historical associations. To revive these among their ancient haunts, and to awaken yet another interest in this land of beauty, has been the aim and end of this modern _Raid_ into the valleys of the North, and the regions that own the sovereignty of the "mighty Helvellyn." CONTENTS PAGE The Past 1 The Banner of Broughton Tower 3 Giltstone Rock 15 Crier of Claife 19 Cuckoo of Borrodale 29 King Eveling 38 Sir Lancelot Threlkeld 44 Pan on Kirkstone 66 Saint Bega 73 Harts-Horn Tree 81 Bekan's Ghyll 88 The Chimes of Kirk-Sunken 102 The Raven on Kernal Crag 106 Lord Derwentwater's Lights 110 Laurels on Lingmoor 124 Vale of St. John 136 The Luck of Edenhall 143 Hob-Thross 153 The Abbot of Calder 162 The Armboth Banquet 170 Britta in the Temple of Druids 179 The Lady of Workington Hall 191 Altar upon Cross Fell 199 Willie o' Scales 209 Ermengarde 217 Gunilda 227 The Shield of Flandrensis 234 The Rooks of Furness 242 King Dunmail 255 The Bridals of Dacre 266 Threlkeld Tarn 279 Robin the Devil 284 The Lay of Lord Lucy of Egremond 295 Sölvar How 312 The Church among the Mountains 323