lake. Their names, commencing with the most northerly, are-Rough Holm (opposite Rayrigg), Lady Holm (so called from a chapel dedicated to our Lady, which once stood upon it),* Hen Holm, House Holm, Thompson's Holm, Curwen's or Belle Isle (round which are several nameless islets), Berkshire island (a little below the Ferry points), Ling Holm, Grass Holm, and Silver Holm. Two small islands, named from the lily of the valley, which grows in profusion upon them, are between Belle Isle and the west margin. Windermere is deeper than any of the other lakes, with the exception of Wast Water, its depth in some parts being upwards of 240 feet. It is plentifully stocked with perch, pike, trout, and char, which last, at the proper season, is potted in large quantities and forwarded to the south. It is a remarkable fact, that at the spawning season, when the trout and char leave the lake, the former fish invariably takes the Rothay, and the latter the Brathay.†

The prevailing character of the scenery around Windermere is soft and graceful beauty. It shrinks from approaching that wildness and sublimity which cha

"The char are very seldom known to wander into any of the streams by which the lakes, where they are found, are either supplied or drained, except at the season of spawning, and their decided partiality for clear water and a hard bottom is then very conspicuous. Winandermere has two principal feeders, the rivers Rothay and Brathay; the Rothay has a sandy bottom, but the channel of the Brathay is rocky. These streams unite at the western corner of the head of the lake, below Clappersgate, at a place called Three-footbrander, and, after a short course, boldly enter the lake together. The spawning season is in November and December; about which time the char in shoals make their way up both these rivers; but invariably before depositing their spawn, those fish which have ascended over the sandy bed of the Rothay, return and pass up the rocky channel of the Brathay; the trout in their spawning season prefer the Rothay. A few char also spawn in the lake, and it is observed that they frequent the strong parts only, which resemble the bottom of the Brathay."

YARRELL'S History of British Fishes.

racterise some of the other lakes, and challenges admiration on the score of grandeur only at its head, where the mountains, after retiring for a short distance, rise to a considerable height, and present admirable outlines to the eye. The rest of the margin is occupied by eminences, which being exuberantly wooded, add a richness and a breadth to the scenery which bare hills cannot of themselves bestow. Numerous villas and cottages, gleaming amid the woods, impart an aspect of domestic beauty which farther contributes to enrich the character of the landscape. Around the shores of the

lake there are many places which may be made the temporary residence of the tourist while exploring the beauties of the adjacent country, and probably he may find it advantageous to make several of them his abode in succession; Ambleside, one mile beyond the head of the lake; Low Wood Inn, a mile and a half from its head on the east shore; Bowness, also on the east shore, half way between the two extremities, and, therefore, perhaps, the most eligible; the Ferry Inn, on the promontory over against Bowness; and Newby Bridge at its footall furnish comfortable quarters for the tourist, where boats, guides, and all his other wants can be supplied. Several steamers have recently been put upon the lake, which pass up and down many times a day during the summer months. Those who prefer a quieter mode of transit on the water may avail themselves of the rowing boats, which the hotel-keepers are always ready to supply.

We shall now shortly detail the route which forms a circuit round Windermere, commencing at Ambleside, proceeding along its west, and returning by its east border. Passing Croft Lodge (James Holmes, Esq.) on the right, Brathay Bridge is crossed at Clappersgate, one mile from Ambleside, and shortly afterwards Brathay Hall (G. Redmayne, Esq.) is seen on the left. A bay, called Pull Wyke, there makes a deep indention; and looking across the lake, Wansfell Holm, Low Wood Inn, and, lower down, Calgarth, the seat of the late Bishop

Wansfell Pike and the

Watson, are pleasing objects. Troutbeck Hundreds tower above them. The road to Hawkshead having deviated to the right, the village of High Wray is gained, five miles from Ambleside; and three miles beyond is the Ferry Inn, which is a well conducted and much frequented establishment. At this place a promontory pushes out from each shore, and a public ferry is established between them, in continuation of the road from Kendal to Hawkshead.

The village of Bowness is a pretty object on the east margin of the lake. One mile and a half from the Ferry Inn, the stream called Cunsey, which runs from Esthwaite Water, is crossed. At a short distance from the place where this stream joins the lake, is the island called Ling Holm. On the opposite margin, the Storrs promontory is seen projecting into the lake. Two miles beyond is the village of Graithwaite, in the vicinity of which is Graithwaite Hall. From this place to Newby Bridge, the road passes through a section of the country, covered chiefly with coppices. From the surface of the lake, near Silver How, the peak of Helvellyn is visible. As the foot of the lake is approached, it narrows rapidly and becomes literally

"Wooded Winandermere, the river-lake."

Landing is passed on the left, shortly before reaching Newby Bridge, where there is an excellent hotel, which has recently been considerably enlarged. The stream which issues from the lake takes the name of the Leven. From this place to the principal towns in the neighbourhood, the distances are:-1 -Ulverston, eight miles; Kendal, by way of Cartmell Fell, ten miles-by Levens Bridge, fifteen miles; Ambleside, by the road we have described, fifteen miles; Bowness, nine miles. On crossing the bridge, Mr. Machell's neat residence is seen on the right, and further on, Fell Foot is passed on the left; a short distance beyond, Townhead is near the road on the left, about two miles from Newby Bridge. The road passes under an

eminence of the Cartmell Fell chain, called Gummer's How, which forms a conspicuous object in all views from the upper end of the lake. Six miles from Newby Bridge is Storrs Hall, the residence of the Rev. Thomas Stanaforth. The road leading from Kendal to the Ferry is next crossed, some villas are passed, and then the pretty village of Bowness is reached. This village, and the road thence to Ambleside, a distance of six miles, have been previously described.

CHAR.

This fish (Salmo alpinus), which the epicure places in his list of dainties, is found in Ennerdale Lake, Crummock Water, Buttermere, Windermere, and Coniston Lake, the finest being taken in the last. It always frequents the deepest parts, and feeds principally by night, so that the angler has seldom an opportunity of taking it. The usual mode of fishing for char is with nets, and most of the inns situate near the lakes in which it is found, have a stew into which it is thrown as soon as caught, and kept ready for use. The ordinary length of the fish is from nine to twelve inches, and it is in its greatest perfection from July to October. It has been conjectured that char was introduced into these lakes by the Romans, who, in the decline of the empire, were withheld by no considerations of trouble or expense from gratifying their luxurious appetite. The char found in the Welsh lakes is of a distinct species, but Agassiz, the Genevese naturalist, states that the char of the north of England is identical with the ombre chevalier of the Lake of Geneva.

ULLESWATER

is generally viewed by tourists when travelling from Ambleside to Penrith, as the road between the two places passes along the northern shore. Since, however, it is a general rule that lake scenery, in order to be seen to