genius, a whimsical eccentricity of dress and manner. His singularity in these respects was so conspicuous, that, together with his reputation for profound learning, and knowledge more than human, it occasioned him to be considered by the vulgar as a cunningman or necromancer. "The last time he made an excursion to Darlington with his wallet, he made a figure truly conspicuous: this was, perhaps, the only time he ever rode thither; he was then mounted on a quadruped, whose intrinsic value, independent of the skin, might be fairly estimated at half-a-crown. Being preceded and led by a boy hired for that purpose, he passed in solemn state, at the rate of a mile and a half an hour, till in due time he arrived at Darlington, and was conducted in the same state, to the great entertainment of the spectators, through the streets to the inn, where he wished to refresh himself and his beast. What idea Emerson himself entertained of the velocity with which the animal could move, appears from the following colloquy with a neighbour, who asked him, towards evening, if he was going home. What dost thou want with my going home?' said he. 'Only,' replied the man, because I should be glad of your company.' Thou fool, thou!' rejoined Emerson, thou'lt be home long enough before me, man: thou walks, and I ride.'" 6 BOWNESS, FROM BELLE ISLE, WINDERMERE. Belle Isle, known also by the names of Curwen's Island and Windermere Island, is the largest in the lake of Windermere, containing an area of about thirty acres. "From this fine island, which no tourist ever visited without rapture, or left without regret; every object that gratified the eye from the shore appears in a new and even a more beautiful point of view." The view towards the west is confined to the lake, and the thickly-wooded forest that towers above it; but the eastern prospect is truly enchanting, comprising the bay of Bowness, the village, and the mountain steeps which rise in the rear. Having surveyed the various interesting objects which this island affords a convenient station for beholding, the tourist should cross the lake to the Ferry House. "In crossing the water at the ferry," remarks Mrs. Radcliffe, "the illusions of vision give force to the northern mountains, which, viewed from hence, seem to ascend from its margin, and spread round it in a magnificent amphitheatre. This was to us the most interesting view in Windermere. On our approaching the western shore, the range of rocks that form it, discovered their cliffs, and gradually assumed a consequence which the breadth of the channel had denied them; and their darkness was well opposed by the bright verdure and variegated autumnal tints of the isles at their base." The surface of Windermere presents, in different parts, clusters of water-lilies of the most dazzling whiteness. A gentleman is shewn in our view gathering them for his fair companions perhaps a wager is pending between the ladies' hands and the lilies;-the ladies' hands for a ducat! THE RUSHBEARING AT AMBLESIDE,-WESTMORLAND. The custom of rush-bearing is of ancient origin, and at a remote period prevailed in most parts of England. Churches, in the olden times, were very rude and uncomfortable structures (excepting, of course, the monasteries, which were the palaces of the ecclesiastical lords, and furnished as well as the resources of the times permitted,) the floors were unpaved, and the only protection to the feet from the damp earth was a covering of rushes. The trampling of the feet, and the humidity of the ground, rendered it necessary to clear away, at intervals, the old covering, and strew fresh rushes in its place. In the course of time, a custom which necessity and prudence had suggested, was converted into a festival: the annual renewal of the rushes was attended with ceremonies and rejoicings, and was marked in the calendar as a holiday. Time, the great improver, improved churches; and the sacred edifices were rendered more comfortable by a paving of flags. Still the covering of rushes was more agreeable to the feet of our grandsires than a slab of naked stone; the ceremonial therefore was continued. The artists of some centuries past bethought themselves, however, of weaving the rushes into mats; and these proving more durable and more convenient than strown rushes, the annual ceremony was superseded, or at least observed only as the reminiscence of a salutary precaution against an attack of catarrh and rheumatism. In some places, to the present day, the church floor is annually strown with rushes; and in several others, as at Ambleside, the ceremonial is still preserved. We have collected, from various sources, the characteristic features of recorded rush-bearings, in which, though the object is the same, the materiel of the festivity is somewhat different. At Rochdale in Lancashire, the rushes are laid transeversely on the rush-cart, and are cut with sharp knives into the desired form. When the cart is finished, the load of rushes is decorated with carnations and other flowers in various devices, and surmounted by branches of oak, and a person rides on the top. The cart is sometimes drawn by horses, but more frequently by men, to the number of twenty or thirty couple, profusely adorned with ribands and finery. They are generally preceded by men with horse-bells about them, grotesquely jumping from side to side, and jingling the bells. After these is a band of music, and sometimes a set of morris-dancers (but without the ancient appendage of bells), followed by young women bearing garlands. Then comes the rush-banner of silk, tastefully adorned with roses, stars, and tinsel; this is generally from four to five yards broad, by six or eight yards long, having on either side, in the centre, a painting of Britannia, the king's arms, or some other device. The whole procession is flanked by men with long cartwhips, which they keep continually cracking, to make a clear path. A spirit of rivalry exists amongst the neighbouring villages as to which shall produce the best cart and banner, and sometimes serious fracas take place between the parties. |