The school-house has been lately rebuilt through the munificence of the late Mr Bolton of Storrs. It stands on an eminence to the east of the village, and forms a handsome edifice. The view from the front is exquisitely beautiful, compris ing the whole of the upper half of the lake. The mountains round the head, into the recesses of which the waters seem to penetrate, arrange themselves in highly graceful forms, and the wooded heights of the opposite shore cast a deep shadow upon the "bosom of the steady lake." From this point Belle Isle appears to be a portion of the mainland.

In addition to the villas already enumerated, there are in the neighbourhood, Holly Hill (Mrs Bellasis,) The Craig (Sir T. S. Pasley,) Birthwaite (G. Gardner, Esq.,) Rayrigg (Rev. F. Fleming,) The Wood (Mr Pennington,) St Catherine's (the Earl of Bradford,) Elleray, Orrest Head (John Braithwaite, Esq.,) Belle Grange (Ed. Curwen, Esq.,) Wray (Wm. Wilson, Esq.)

Several interesting walks will be pointed out to strangers, amongst which we may mention those through the parsonage-land to the Ferry Point, and to Storrs, If the tourist will take the trouble to proceed about half a mile along the road to Brant Fell, he will be rewarded by one of the finest views of the lake he can obtain. The Fells of Furness are seen across the lake, but the murmur of -"bees that soar for bloom,

High as the highest peak of Furness Fells."*

is of course inaudible. A pleasing walk of four or five miles may be obtained thus; pursue the road to Ambleside until it enters that from Kendal (this portion of the walk will be particularized presently :) turn to the right, and keep on this road for about a mile. The Wood, St Catherine's, and Elleray, are passed on the left. The last is the property of Professor Wilson of Edinburgh, and was at one time occupied by the late Major Hamilton, the author of Cyril Thornton, of a history of the Peninsular Campaigns, and other literary works. The house is perched upon the hill-side, having beautiful views of the surrounding scenery visible from its windows. It is thus alluded to in one of the poems of its

owner:

"And sweet that dwelling rests upon the brow
(Beneath its sycamore,) of Orrest Hill,

As if it smiled on Windermere below,

Her green recesses and her islands still!"

A narrow lane branches off from the Kendal road near the Orrest Head gate, by which Bowness will be reached one mile and a-half from Orrest Head.

The more distant excursions will include the valley of Troutbeck,† the circuit of the two sections of Windermere, Esthwaite Water, and Coniston Lake. These are but a few, but an inspection of the chart will suggest others.

Quitting Bowness for Ambleside, the stately woods of Rayrigg are entered three-quarters of a mile from the former place. A bay of the lake is then seen to project almost to the road. Rayrigg House stands on the left near the water's

WORDSWORTH.

For a description of this valley refer to page 226.

edge; shortly before emerging from the wood, the road ascends a steep hill, and then pursues a level course, affording from its terrace a magnificent view of the lake-a view" to which," says Wilson," there was nothing to compare in the hanging gardens of Babylon. There is the widest breadth of water-the richest foreground of wood—and the most magnificent background of mountains, not only in Westmorland, but-believe us—in all the world." Our old acquaintances, the two Pikes of Langdale, are easily recognized. On the left is Bowfell, a square-topped hill, between which and the Pikes, Great End and Great Gable peep up. On the left of Bowfell, the summit of Scawfell Pike is faintly visible. The road is intersected two miles from Bowness by the Kendal and Ambleside road, at a place called Cook's House, nine miles from Kendal. A road proceeds into Troutbeck in a line with the one over which we have been conducting the tourist. From Cook's House to Troutbeck Bridge is almost a mile. From this place a road conducts by the west bank of the stream to the village of Troutbeck, the nearest part of which is a mile and a half distant. Continuing our progress towards Ambleside, Calgarth, embosomed in trees, is passed on the left. The late Bishop Watson built this mansion, and resided here during the latter years of his life; it is still occupied by his descendants. Two miles beyond is Low Wood Inn, which, standing pleasantly on the margin of the lake at its broadest part, is an excellent station for those who are able to devote a few days to the beauties of the neighbourhood, Most of the excursions recommended to be made from Ambleside may, with almost equal advantage, be performed from this inn. Close at hand is Dove's Nest, the house Mrs Hemans inhabited one Her description of the place, taken from her delightful letters, will not be deemed uninteresting: :-"The house was originally meant for a small villa, though it has long passed into the hands of farmers, and there is, in consequence, an air of neglect about the little demesne, which does not at all approach desolation, and yet gives it something of touching interest. You see everywhere traces of love and care beginning to be effaced-rose-trees spreading into wildness-laurels darkening the windows with too luxuriant branches; and I cannot help saying to myself,' Perhaps some heart like my own in its feelings and sufferings has here sought refuge and repose.' The ground is laid out in rather an antiquated style; which, now that nature is beginning to reclaim it from art, I do not at all dislike. There is a little grassy terrace immediately under the window, descending to a small court, with a circular grass-plot, on which grows one tall white-rose tree. You cannot imagine how much I delight in that fair, solitary, neglected-looking tree. I am writing to you from an oldfashioned alcove in the little garden, round which the sweet briar and the rosetree have completely run wild ; and I look down from it upon lovely Winandermere, which seems at this moment even like another sky, so truly is every summer cloud and tint of azure pictured in its transparent mirror.

summer.

"I am so delighted with the spot, that I scarcely know how I shall leave it.

6

The situation is one of the deepest retirement; but the bright lake before me, with all its fairy barks and sails, glancing like things of life' over its blue water, prevents the solitude from being overshadowed by anything like sadness." Wansfell Holm, (George Warden, Esq.) is seen on the right, immediately before reaching the head of Windermere. The road for the last three or four miles has been alternately approaching to and receding from the margin of the lake, but never retiring further from it than a few fathoms. At Waterhead is the neat residence of Mr Thomas Jackson, and further on, Waterside, (Mr William Newton,) is passed on the left. Ambleside, the termination of our perambulation of twenty-nine miles, is entered one mile beyond.

M 2

From

Ambles.

Excavations of great size have 123 White Moss Slate Quarry. 2 The road here winds round

102