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Fine views on the right of the valley of Kendal. Shap and Howgill Fells in the distance. 2 Road on the left to Bowness, 8 miles from Kendal.

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LXXXII. CIRCUIT OF WINDERMERE.

WE have deferred entering upon any description of this Queen of the Lakes, until we could at the same time detail the route which forms a circuit round its margin. We would by all means recommend those strangers who have sufficient time to circumambulate this lake, which is the largest sheet of water in the district, to do so at an early period of their visit, that the quiet scenery with which it is surrounded may not be considered tame, as will probably be the case if the survey be delayed until the bolder features of the country have been inspected.

Windermere, or more properly Winandermere, is about eleven miles in length, and one mile in breadth. It forms part of the county of Westmorland, although the greatest extent of its margin belongs to Lancashire. It has many feeders, the principal of which is formed by the confluence of the Brathay and Rothay shortly before entering the lake. The streams from Troutbeck, Blelham Tarn, and Esthwaite Water also pour in their waters at different points. Numerous islands, varying considerably in size, diversify its surface at no great distance from one another, none of them being more than four and a half miles from the central part of the lake. Their names commencing with the most northerly are-Rough Holm, (opposite Rayrigg,) Lady Holm, (so called from a chapel dedicated to our Lady, which once stood upon it,) Hen Holm, House Holm, Thompson's Holm, Curwen's or Belle Isle, (round which are several nameless islets,) Berkshire Island, (a little below the Ferry points,) Ling Holm, Grass Holm, and Silver Holm. Windermere is deeper than any of the other lakes, with the exception of Wast Water, its depth in some parts being upwards of 240 feet. It is plentifully stocked with perch, pike, trout, and char, which last at the proper season, is potted in large quantities and forwarded to the south. It is a remarkable fact, that at the spawning season, when the trout and char leave the lake, the former fish invariably takes the Rothay, and the latter the Brathy.

The prevailing character of the scenery around Windermere is soft and graceful beauty. It shrinks from all approach to that wildness and sublimity which characterise some of the other lakes, and challenges admiration on the score of grandeur only at its head, where the mountains rise to a considerable height, and present admirable outlines to the eye of the spectator. The rest of the margin is occupied by gentle eminences, which, being exuberantly wooded, add a richness and a breadth to the scenery which bare hills cannot of themselves bestow, Numerous villas and cottages, gleaming amid the woods, impart an aspect of domestic beauty, which further contributes to enrich the character of the landscape. Around the shores of the lake there are many places which may be made the temporary residence of the tourist while exploring the beauties of the adjacent country, and probably he may find it advantageous to make several of

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them his abode in succession: Ambleside, one mile beyond the head of the lake; Low Wood Inn, a mile and a half from its head on the east shore; Bowness, also on the east shore, half way between the two extremities, and, therefore, perhaps, the most eligible the Ferry Inn on the promontory over against Bowness; and Newby Bridge at its foot,-all furnish comfortable quarters for the tourist, where boats, guides, and all his other wants can be supplied.

We shall commence our perambulation at the town first named, proceeding along the west border, and returning by the east border of the water. Passing Croft Lodge, (James Brancker, Esq.) on the right, Brathay Bridge is crossed at Clappersgate, one mile from Ambleside, and shortly afterwards Brathay Hall, (G. Redmayne, Esq.) is seen on the left. A bay, called Pull Wyke, there makes a deep indentation; and looking across the lake, Wansfell Holm, Low Wood Inn, and lower down, Calgarth, the seat of the late Bishop Watson, are pleasing objects. Wansfell Pike and the Troutbeck Hundreds tower above them. The road to Hawkshead having deviated to the right, the village of High Wray is gained, five miles from Ambleside; and three miles beyond is the Ferry Inn. At this place the shores suddenly contract, and between the two promontories a public ferry is established, by means of which, passengers, cattle, and vehicles are conveyed across the lake at a trifling charge. About the year 1635, a marriage was celebrated at Hawkshead, between a wealthy yeoman from the neighbourhood of Bowness, and a lady of the family Sawrey of Sawrey. As is still customary in Westmorland amongst the rustic population, the married couple were attended by a numerous concourse of friends, some of whom were probably more than cheerful. In conducting the bridegroom homewards, and crossing the ferry, the boat was swamped, either by an eddy of wind, or by too great a pressure on one side, and thus upwards of fifty persons, including the bride and bridegroom, perished. While at the Ferry Inn, the tourist should not fail to visit the Station, a pleasure house belonging to Mr Curwen of Belle Isle, standing on a spot whence fine views of the circumjacent scenery are commanded. "The view from the Station," says Professor Wilson, " is a very delightful one, but it requires a fine day. Its character is that of beauty, which disappears almost utterly in wet or drizzly weather. If there be strong bright sunshine, a 'blue breeze' perhaps gives animation to the scene. You look down on the islands which are here very happily disposed. The banks of Windermere are rich and various in groves, woods, coppice, and corn-fields. The large deep valley of Troutbeck stretches finely away up to the mountains of High Street and Hill Bell-hill and eminence are all cultivated wherever the trees have been cleared away, and numerous villas are visible in every direction, which, although not perhaps all built on very tasteful models, have yet an airy and sprightly character; and with their fields of brighter verdure and sheltering groves, may be fairly allowed to add to, rather than detract from, the beauty of a scene, one of whose chief charms is that it is the cheerful abode of social life." At a short distance from the land is Belle Isle, upon which stands—

"A Grecian temple rising from the deep❞—

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