FISHER

LONDON, 18:5

It obtained its name from St. Herbert, a priest and confessor, who, about the middle of the seventh century, made it his lonely abode. He was particularly distinguished for his friendship to St. Cuthbert; and, according to a legendary tale, at the intercession of St. Herbert, they both expired on the same day, and in the same hour and minute.

At Lindisfarne, expecting death,

The good St. Cuthbert lay,
With wasted frame and feeble breath;
And monks were there to pray.

The brotherhood had gather'd round,
His parting words to hear,
To see his saintly labours crown'd,

And stretch him on the bier.

His eyes grew dim; his voice sunk low;

The choral song arose ;

And ere its sounds had ceas'd to flow,

His spirit found repose.

At that same hour, a holy man,
St. Herbert, well renown'd,
Gave token that his earthly span
Had reach'd its utmost bound.

St. Cuthbert, in his early years,
Had led him on his way:
When the tree falls, the fruit it bears
Will surely too decay.

The monks of Lindisfarne meanwhile

Were gazing on their dead :

At that same hour, in Derwent isle,
A kindred soul had fled.

The remains of St. Herbert's hermitage are still visible; and near to these hallowed ruins stands a small octagonal cottage, of unhewn stone, erected some years ago by Sir Wilfred Lawson, to whose representative the island at present belongs. The dwelling of the anchorite consisted of two apartments, one of which, about twenty feet in length by sixteen in width, appears to have been his chapel; the other, whose dimensions are considerably less, was his cell.

The surface of Derwent-water is frequently in a state of agitation, when not a breath of air is stirring; and the motionless quietude of the foliage on its borders, contrasts singularly with its tumultuous and ruffled waves. This remarkable phenomenon lasts sometimes for an hour or two, at others for a whole day; and it is usually during its continuance that the floating island is visible on the surface of the lake.

Skiddaw forms a distinguishing feature in the mountain scenery of Derwent-water. The most accurate surveys determine its altitude to be three thousand and twenty-two feet above the level of the sea, and about two thousand eight hundred feet above lake Derwent. As a tour to the lakes would be considered incomplete if the visitor did not gratify himself with a view of the country from at least one of the lofty elevations in the district, Skiddaw is generally selected for the purpose; it is nearest to Keswick, the principal station, is easy of access, and is ascended with less difficulty than others by ladies, who can ride on horseback to the very summit; and, in addition, the view from it is little intercepted by other mountains. Sometimes, indeed, the visitor has the mortification, after having reached the highest point, to find himself enveloped in a cloud, which, though constantly passing, is never dispelled during his stay. "Those however, who are fortunate enough to be upon the summit at the very time of the cloud's departure, will experience a gratification of no common kind; when, like the rising of the curtain in a theatre, the country in a moment bursts upon the eye."

The lake of Bassenthwaite is of greater length than Derwent-water, but does not equal it in breadth. Lying as it does at some distance from the mountain range, it is usually viewed with less interest than other lakes. Its western side is richly wooded; and, towards the east, it displays a fine breadth of cultivation, indented with bays and promontories.

"On the verdant tops of some of the hills in the neighbourhood of this lake, may be discovered traces of the plough, for which it is difficult to assign a satisfactory reason. Tradition says, that the Pope, in the reign of King John, cursed all the lower grounds, which obliged the inhabitants to cultivate the hills." Mr. Pennant, however, observes— "I rather think that John himself drove them to this cruel necessity; for, out of resentment for their declining to follow his standard to the borders of Scotland, he cut down their hedges, levelled their ditches, and gave all the cultivated tracts of the north to the beasts of the chase, on his return from his expedition.

MILL BECK, GREAT LANGDALE,-WESTMORLAND.

The scenery in the neighbourhood of Mill Beck, in Great Langdale, is of the most interesting kind; and includes many of the picturesque objects so eagerly sought after by the visitor to the Lakes. The road, in the foreground of the view, is that usually taken from Ambleside to Langdale Pikes. At its extremity stands a mill, giving name to the beck or stream, which descends in a beautiful cascade from the mountains, and continues its course till, with other tributary rivulets, it reaches the tarn of Elterwater. The loftiest elevation in the view, is that of Harrison Stickle; and on the right is seen the hill of Pavey Ark; between these two mountains Stickle Tarn is situated.

Colwith Force, Blea Tarn, and Dungeon Gill are comprised in the scenery of Langdale.