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ENGRAVINGS OF

ULLESWATER AND DERWENTWATER.

Of the two steel engravings which embellish this volume, the first is a view of Ulleswater, taken from an elevated part of Gowbarrow Park. The Berk Fell promontory is seen projecting from the east-shore to the island called House Holm, beyond which, Wall Holm spots the water. Above the latter islet is Bilberry Crag, backed by St. Sunday's Crag, to the right of which Fairfield raises its mighty summit to the clouds. To the right of House Holm, Stybarrow Crag overhangs the margin of the lake ; over the summit of this crag, and through the depression between Fairfield and St. Sunday's Crag, a glimpse of some of the Langdale or Coniston Fells is caught. In the extreme right, Helvellyn towers aloft. The glens which run up from the lake will be readily recognised. First, on the right of Stybarrow Crag there is Glencoyn; the extremity of Glenridding is perceived over House Holm, with Glenridding House on the border of the water; Grizedale commences on the left of Bilberry Crag, whilst Deepdale is seen over the Berk Fell promontory.

The other engraving represents the upper section of Derwentwater, and the mountains surrounding the head of that lake. Immediately below the eye is the boat-house on Barrow promontory; beyond is Lowdore Inn, and to the left the celebrated cascade falling between Shepherd's Crag and Gowder Crag. Far away above, Scawfell Pikes, and its rival summit, Scawfell, pierce the air. Castle Crag occupies a conspicuous situation at the head of the lake,-Glaramara rises behind. A small portion of St. Herbert s Isle is visible, the rest being concealed by some trees in the foreground.

THE

PICTURESQUE GUIDE

ΤΟ

THE ENGLISH LAKES.

INTRODUCTION.

THAT section of England, to the scenery of which this small volume professes to be a Guide, occupies a portion of the three counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancaster, and extends over an area, the greatest length and breadth of which are not more than forty-five miles. The picturesque attractions of the district are probably unequalled in any other part of England; and although some of the Scottish lochs and mountains must be admitted to present prospects of more imposing grandeur, it may safely be said, that no tract of country in Britain combines in richer affluence those varied features of sublimity and beauty which have conferred upon this spot se high a reputation.

For the lover of nature, no tour could be devised of a more pleasing character than that which these Lakes afford. "We penetrate the Glaciers, and traverse the Rhone and the Rhine, whilst our domestic lakes of Ullswater, Keswick, and Windermere exhibit scenes in so sublime a style, with such beautiful colourings of rock, wood, and water, backed with so stupendous a disposition of mountains, that if they do not fairly take the lead of all the views of Europe, yet they are indisputably such as no English traveller should leave behind him."*

Nor is it only to the admirer of external nature that this spot presents attractions. It is no less interesting to the antiquarian, the geologist, and the botanist. The remains of three Abbeys,-Furness, Calder, and Shap,-of numerous Castles,-of one or two Roman Stations,—and of many Druidical erections, afford ample scope for the research of the antiquarian; whilst the rich variety of stratified and unstratified rocks, forming a complete series from the granitic to the carboniferous beds ;-and many rare plants, with ample facilities for observing the effect. produced upon vegetation by the varying temperature of the air at different altitudes, yield to the students of geology and of botany abundant matter for employment in their respective pursuits.

A further interest is imparted to the locality from its being the spot with which many of our great modern poets have been more or less intimately con

*CUMBERLAND.

nected, and from which many of their finest poems have emanated. In directing the steps of the tourist we have, therefore, availed ourselves to a considerable extent of the literature of the district, quoting those passages from the works of the Lake Poets which illustrate the scenery through which he will pass. These quotations, we feel assured, will not only contribute to elevate the feelings and improve the heart, while the reader is contemplating the scenes which are portrayed, but will also form a spell by which, in coming years, he may recall the pleasures of the past, and revisit, in imagination, the scenery over which we are now about to conduct him.

A's the district may be traversed by many routes, the selection of which will depend upon the Tourist's convenience and taste, but especially upon the point from which he approaches, we conceive that we shall best consult his accommodation by arranging our information under general heads,-such as Towns, Lakes, Mountains, &c., instead of describing the several objects at the requisite length in the routes by which he will be conducted to them. By these means the difficulty and trouble the Tourist would experience in the continual reference from one route to another for the information he may require, are obviated. We flatter ourselves that the Itinerary at the end of the volume, comprising all the routes. usually taken by Tourists, will be found as useful as it is novel in a Lake Guide. A copious Index is also given, by reference to which the several objects

of interest noticed in the body of the work will be easily found, as strict regard will be paid to minuteness and accuracy in its compilation.

Our object being to compress the greatest possible amount of information within the smallest possible compass, we shall, without further preface, proceed to a description of the Principal Towns.

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