The lake sometimes called Keswick Lake, but better known by the name of DERWENTWATER, is about half a mile from the town. A scene of more luxuriant beauty than this lake affords can scarcely be imagined. Its shape is symmetrical without being formal, while its size is neither so large as to merge the character of the lake in that of the inland sea, nor so circumscribed as to expose it to the charge of insignificance. The admirers of nature are divided in opinion as to the respective merits of this lake and Ulleswater; some assigning the palm of supe riority to the one and some to the other. Those who are familiar with the Alpine scenery of Scotland, which so far surpasses in savage grandeur any thing within the limits of the sister country, almost uniformly give the preference to Derwentwater, while those who have not possessed opportunities of contemplating nature in her sterner moods are more deeply impressed with the more majestic attributes of her rival. Derwentwater approaches to the oval form, extending from north to south about three miles, and being in breadth about a mile and a half," expanding within an amphitheatre of mountains, rocky but not vast, broken into many fantastic shapes, peaked, splintered, impending, sometimes pyramidal, opening by narrow vallies to the view of rocks that rise immediately beyond, and are again overlooked by others. The precipices seldom overshoot the water, but are arranged at some distance; and the shores swell with woody eminences, or sink into green pastoral margins. Masses of wood also frequently appear among the cliffs, feathering them to their summits; and a white cottage sometimes peeps from out their skirts, seated on the smooth knoll of a pasture projecting to the lake, and looks so exquisitely picturesque, as to seem placed there purposely to adorn it. The lake in return faithfully reflects the whole picture, and so even and brilliantly translucent is its surface, that it rather heightens than obscures the colouring." The principal islands in the lake are Vicar's Isle, Lord's Island, and St Herbert's Isle. VICAR'S ISLE or DERWENT ISLE is that nearest the foot of the lake; it contains about six acres, and belongs to Captain Henry, whose residence is upon it. LORD'S ISLAND, of a size somewhat larger than the last, has upon it the hardly perceptible remains of a pleasure-house, erected by one of the Ratcliffes with the stones of their deserted castle which stood on Castlerigg. This island was once connected with the mainland, from which it was severed by the Ratcliffes, by a fosse, over which a drawbridge was thrown. ST HERBERT'S ISLE, placed nearly in the centre of the lake, derives its name from a holy hermit who lived in the seventh century, and had his cell on this island. The remains of the hermitage are still visible. To St Cuthbert of Durham this "saintly eremite" bore so perfect a love as to pray that he him So transparent is the water, that pebbles may be easily seen fifteen or twenty feet below its surface. self might expire the moment the breath of life quitted the body of his friend, so that their souls might wing their flight to Heaven in company. Near the ruins, the late Sir Wilfred Lawson, (to whose representative the island at present belongs,) erected a few years ago a small cottage which, being built of unhewn stone, and artificially mossed over, has a venerable appearance. There are three or four other islets, the largest of which is Rampsholm. At irregular intervals of a few years, the lake exhibits a singular phenomenon in the rising of a piece of ground, called The FLOATING ISLAND, from the bottom to the surface of the water. Its superficial extent varies in different years, from an acre to a few perches. It is composed of earthy matter, six feet in thickness, covered with vegetation, and is full of air-bubbles, which, it is supposed, by penetrating the whole mass, diminish its specific gravity, and are the cause of its buoyancy. This natural phenomenon is situate about 150 yards from the shore, near Lowdore. The walks in the neighbourhood of Keswick are numerous and interesting. From Crow Park and Friar Crag, two places situate on the east shore, near the foot of the lake, beautiful views of the lake, vale, and surrounding mountains are obtained. From a wooded eminence called Castle Head, standing on the left of the Borrowdale road, about half a mile from Keswick, there is an enchanting prospect extending on the south into the "Jaws of Borodale," in which Castle Crag appears like a prominent front tooth. Cat Bells, on the other side of the lake, are fine objects, as well as other mountains which tower over the vale of Newlands. From a summit, called Castlerigg, one mile from Keswick on the Ambleside road, there is a most extensive view, comprising the lakes of Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite, the fertile vale through which the Derwent winds on its passage from the one lake to the other, and the heights of Skiddaw. Gray declares that, on leaving Keswick, when he turned round at this place to contemplate the scenery behind him, he was so charmed "that he had almost a mind to go back again." A walk over Latrigg, "Skiddaw's Cub," will furnish the stranger with innumerable delightful prospects; and, in fact, it is impossi ble to stir in the neighbourhood of Keswick, without having scenery of the finest description before the eye. One mile and a-half from Keswick, on an eminence to the right of the old road to Penrith, is a small Druidical circle, measuring 100 feet by 108, consisting of forty-eight stones, some of which are 7 feet high. Perhaps an excursion exhibiting more beautiful prospects of rock, wood, and water, than that round Derwentwater, does not exist in the vicinity of the Lakes It is not more than 10 miles in length, if Grange Bridge be the limit of the ride in that direction; but if the excursion be extended to Bowder Stone, two miles must be added. Leaving Keswick by the Borrowdale Road, Castle Head, Wallow Crag, and Falcon Crag, are successively passed on the left. A hollow in the summit of Wallow Crag is visible from the road. There is a tradition current in the country, that, by means of this hollow, the Countess of Derwentwater ef fected her escape when the Earl was arrested for high treason, carrying with her a quantity of jewels and other valuables. It has ever since borne the name of the Lady's Rake. Barrow House stands two miles from Keswick, on the left of the road. Behind the house there is a fine cascade 124 feet in height, which may be seen on application at the lodge. A mountain road strikes off at this point to the village of Watendlath, two miles from the deflection. The road, after passing the village, near which there is a tarn, re-enters the Borrowdale road a little beyond Bowder Stone. In making the ascent to the village, splendid views of the lake and Skiddaw are obtained. One mile beyond Barrow, the road having passed under Thrang Crag, is the little inn of Lowdore, behind which is the celebrated Lowdore Waterfall. The grandeur of the rocks around the stream render the scene impressive, whatever may be the state of the weather, but the cascade is dependent in a great measure for its effect on the quantity of water. After heavy rains, the noise of the fall may be heard as far down the lake as Friar Crag. Gowder Crag rises on the left, Shepherd's Crag on the right, of the waterfall. One mile further, Grange Bridge, spanning Borrowdale Beck, is attained. Should the tourist desire to see the curious mass of rock called Bowder Stone, the road into Borrowdale must be continued for a mile further. This immense block, which has evidently rolled from the heights above, stands on a platform of ground, a short distance to the left of the road. A branch road has been made to the stone, which rejoins the Borrowdale road further on. It has been computed to weigh upwards of 1900 tons. Its summit may be gained by means of a ladder which has been affixed to it for the use of strangers. "Upon a semicirque of turf-clad ground, A mass of rock, resembling, as it lay A stranded ship, with keel upturned, that rests WORDSWORTH. Close to Bowder Stone, but on the opposite side of the river, from the bank of which it suddenly rises, is an elevation clothed with wood called Castle Crag, so termed from a Roman fortification having once occupied the summit, the faint traces of which still remain. Some of the relics found here are shown in one of the museums at Keswick. Returning to and crossing Grange Bridge, the village of Grange is passed, and, one mile beyond, are a few houses called Manesty, near which is a small medicinal spring. Passing under the summit styled Cat Bells, the road enters the pretty village of Portinscale, 4 miles from Grange Bridge, near which are many elegant villas. Keswick is but a mile and a quarter beyond. An agreeable excursion of thirteen miles and a half may be made from Keswick into the famed VALLEY OF ST JOHN. The Penrith road must be pursued for four miles, to the village of Threlkeld. This road, lying almost the whole way on the banks of the Greta, passes under the mountain-masses of Skiddaw and Saddleback, (more poetically called Blencathara.) In a recess of the latter |