The Brim fell level was a brave trial on the far southern extension of the Coniston copper veins way out at the base of the Old man of Coniston himself where mainly slate quarries only disturb the depths of the mountain. The tenacious miner, eager from victories past, sallied forwards into the base of the promising ramparts of the fell, above which the radiantly blue coloured tarn of Small water bedded in the crags must surely herald a bonanza of copper beneath. But alas the showing was poor and the last blast was dis-heartily cleared away. A last glance at the skillful masonry walling and the portal beckoning to day and a homely fire was their only consolation .