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.

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. The best near view of Derwentwater, in Southey's opinion, is from the field adjoining Friar Crag. "There it is, if I had Aladdin's lamp, or Fortunatus' purse, I would build myself a house." The best general view, he thought, is from the terrace between Applethwaite and Milbeck, a little beyond the former hamlet. 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 over the lake, extending on the south into the "Jaws of Borrowdale," 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 the other mountains which tower over the vale of Newlands.

MOUNTAINS.

THE mountains best known and most usually ascended by tourists are-Scawfell, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Coniston Old Man, and Langdale Pikes. In addition to these, we have described with some minuteness, as well worthy of being ascended, Saddleback, High Street,

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and Wansfell. Guides can be procured at any of the neighbouring inns, who, for a moderate compensation, will conduct strangers to the summit by the least circuitous path; and being generally intelligent persons, will point out and name those objects most worthy of notice, which are visible on the ascent or from the highest point. Fine clear days should be selected for an expedition of this kind, as well for the advantage of having an extensive prospect, as for safety. Mists and wreaths of vapour, capping the summits of mountains, or creeping along their sides, are beautiful objects when viewed from the lowly valley; but when the wanderer becomes surrounded with them on the hills, they occasion any thing but agreeable sensations, and have not unfrequently led to serious accidents.

Perhaps we may more appropriately introduce at this place than at any other, a few

HINTS TO PEDESTRIANS,

some of which may be found useful by the tourist who travels after a more luxurious fashion.

The tourist need scarcely be told, that the fewer incumbrances, in the shape of luggage, that he carries with him, the better. At the same time, he will bear in mind how annoying it is to omit taking any thing which he cannot easily procure on the road. The inference is plain; a little consideration beforehand may tend to obviate both causes of annoyance.

A knapsack, to be slung on the back (a fishing-basket is no bad substitute), will be required for holding those little articles, indispensable to his personal comfort, which are oftenest called into service; whilst a portmanteau, containing the bulk of his baggage, may be forwarded by coach or wain, to await his arrival at the next town. Shoes allow freer play to the ancles than boots: they should have stout soles, and be comfortably large. Gaiters are apt to heat the ancles, but they are sometimes useful, especially in a mountain ramble, in

keeping stones out of the shoe. An experienced pedestrian well knows, that the feet suffer much less in worsted stockings, however coarse, than in cotton. A blouse, made of brown holland, is much cooler wear than a coat in hot weather, and at all times it protects the dress from dust. Some sort of a water-proof cloak, of light material, should not be forgotten; an oiled silk cape will keep the rain off as well as any thing, but it affords no warmth in a chilly atmosphere. It has the advantage, however, of folding up into a small compass. A flask containing brandy, which may be diluted at the springs on the way, will be found no unnecessary burden upon the Fells. Effervescing draughts are exceedingly refreshing upon a hot day's march; and a few saline. powders can be easily placed in a spare corner. pocket compass may be usefully employed in discovering the traveller's position with reference to the surrounding country, and a telescope in bringing within clearer view the more distant parts of it.

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With these preliminary observations, we shall proceed to describe the mountains we have named above.

SCAWFELL.

The aggregation of mountains, called collectively Scawfell, which stand at the head of Wastdale, form four several summits bearing separate names. The most

southerly of the four is Scawfell (3100 feet); the next is Scawfell Pike (3160 feet); Lingmell, of considerably inferior elevation, is more to the west, forming a sort of buttress for the support of the loftier heights; and Great End is the advanced guard on the north, having its aspect towards Borrowdale. The whole mass is composed of a species of hard dark slate. The Pike, being the highest summit in England, is most commonly the object of the stranger's climbing ambition; some confusion has, however, been caused by the similarity of names, and the lower elevation of Scawfell been attained, where that of Scawfell Pike was desired. Since

the trigonometrical survey, a pile of stones, surmounted by a staff, has been placed on the latter mountain summit; such mistakes, therefore, need not occur in future.

The ascent of the two higher mountains may be commenced from several valleys from Langdale, Borrowdale, or Wastdale. Of these, the station from which the ascent may most readily be made, is Strands, at the foot of Wast Water. A boat being taken up the lake, will land the pedestrian at the foot of Lingmell, which projects towards the water. The top of Lingmell being almost gained, a turn must be made to the right, and that direction persevered in for three-quarters of a mile. Deflections to the right and left in succession will place the hardy climber upon Scawfell Pike. From Borrowdale, the best course is to pursue the Wastdale road, until Sty Head Tarn is reached. Leaving this tarn on the left, and bending your way towards Sprinkling Tarn, which must also be kept on the left, a turn to the right must shortly be made conducting to a pass called Eskhause, having on the left Hanging Knott, and on the right Wastdale Broad Crag. The summit of Scawfell Pike is in view from this place, but much exertion will be required before either that or its sister height will be reached. Great End will have to be ascended, and continuing along the summit-ridge, some rocky eminences will be passed on the left. A considerable descent must then be made to the right, and two narrow ridges in hollows crossed, from the second of which the trigonometrical station on the Pike will be reached by a steep path strewn with loose stones. The two elevations of Scawfell and Scawfell Pike, though not more than three-quarters of a mile distant from each other in a direct line, are separated by a fearful chasm, called Mickledore, which compels a circuit to be made of two miles in passing from one to the other. The passage by Mickledore, though dangerous, is not impassable, as some of the adventurous dalesmen can testify. All vegetation but that of lichens has for

saken the summits of Scawfell Pikes and its rival. "Cushions or tufts of moss, parched and brown," says a writer, with true poetical feeling, " appear between the huge blocks and stones that lie on heaps on all sides to a great distance, like skeletons or bones of the earth not needed at the creation, and there left to be covered with never-dying lichens, which the clouds and dews nourish and adorn with colours of exquisite beauty. Flowers, the most brilliant feathers, and even gems, scarcely surpass in colouring some of those masses of stone."

The view from the Pike is, of course, of a most extensive description, embracing such a " tumultuous waste of huge hill tops," that the mind and eye alike become confused in the endeavour to distinguish the various objects. The mountains having lost the shapes they possessed when viewed from beneath, are only to be recognized by those acquainted with the locality of each; however, with the aid of his compass, map, and our directions, the inquiring gazer will be able to assign names to most of them. Turning to the south, Morecambe Bay and the Lancashire coast to a great extent are seen, and on clear days the prospect comprehends a portion of the Welsh Highlands. The Screes intercept the view of the greatest portion of Wast Water, and Scawfell conceals much of the Screes. To the left, Eskdale and Miterdale are seen contributing their waters to the ocean. Furness and the Isle of Walney are visible in the same direction, as well as Devoke Water, placed on an elevated.moor, beyond which Black Combe is a prominent object. Still more to the east Wrynose, Wetherlam, Coniston Old Man, with the rest of the mountains at the head of Eskdale, Seathwaite, and Little Langdale, are conspicuous. Bowfell, obscuring Langdale, appears in the east, and through the gap between Bowfell and Cringle Crags part of the middle of Windermere and the country about Kendal are seen. Far away beyond, the Yorkshire hills, with Ingleborough, the monarch of them all,