[2] Comical, used thus, means Pert, in central Cumberland.
[3] During the period required for the publication of banns, a couple are said, figuratively, to be “hinging in t’ bell ropes.”
[4] Clash—Scandal.
[5] Fiend’s-fell, an old name for Cross-fell, on the eastern verge of the county.
[6] The beautiful secluded bay which divides the two Heads of St. Bees, the most westerly points of Cumberland, is called Fleswick.
[7] Hog-holes are small apertures left in the dry stone fences, to allow the sheep, or hogs, to get through from one pasture to another.
[8] Landlords of the Ferry—the first named having been previously the well known guard of the coach that traversed the Lake district.
[9] In a foot-note to West’s Guide to the Lakes, published first about 1770—its 5th edition being dated 1793—the author or editor suggests certain other modes of accounting for the presence of the famous skulls of Calgarth, but fails in offering anything so satisfactory as the popular version here done into rhyme. The writer of the note appears to have seen them himself, and I have known more than one old person, besides John Long, who averred that in their youth, they had seen the said remains occupying their immemorial position. The misfortunes of the Philipsons of Calgarth and Crook are matter of local history, and with some of their recorded exploits, make them, perhaps, the most interesting family of the two counties.
[10] Dr. Watson, the celebrated Bishop of Llandaff, who purchased the estate of Calgarth, and long resided upon it, but not at the old Hall. He is always spoken of by the old people who remember him as “T’ Bishop.”
[11] This phrase is generally applied to a heavy back-handed blow. It is said to have originated at the battle of Dryfe-sands, which was fought near to Lockerbie in 1593, between the Nithsdale and the Annandale clans, the former being defeated with terrible slaughter. It was found after the battle that many of the slain had been killed by a slashing sword cut across the face, from a blow peculiar to the Johnstones, and hence called the “Lockerbye lycke.”