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cannot refrain from transferring the lines to our pages, as a pendant to the prose description given above :

"Low and white, yet scarcely seen,
Are its walls for mantling green,
Not a window lets in light

But through flowers clustering bright;
Not a glance may wander there
But it falls on something fair;
Garden choice and fairy mound,
Only that no elves are found;
Winding walk and shelter'd nook,
For student grave and graver book;
Or a bird-like bower, perchance,
Fit for maiden and romance.
Then, far off, a glorious sheen
Of wide and sun-lit waters seen;
Hills that in the distance lie
Blue and yielding as the sky;
And nearer, closing round the nest,
The home,-of all the 'living crest;'
Other rocks and mountains stand
Rugged, yet a guardian band,
Like those that did in fable old
Elysium from the world infold."

A footpath strikes off from the top of the Rydal Mount road, and, passing at a considerable height on the hill side under Nab Scar, commands charming views of the vale, and rejoins the high road at White Moss Quarry. The commanding and varied prospect obtained from the summit of Nab Scar, richly repays the labour of the ascent.

From the summit, which is indicated by a pile of large stones, eight different sheets of water are seen, viz., Windermere, Rydal, Grasmere, and Coniston Lakes, and Loughrigg, Easdale, Elterwater, and Blenham Tarns. The Solway Firth is also distinctly

visible.

The walk from Ambleside to Rydal, along the banks of the Rothay, and underneath Loughrigg Fell, is extremely delightful. Though more circuitous than the highway, it presents finer combinations of scenery. The tourist, intending to take this round, should pursue the road to Clappersgate for half a mile to Rothay Bridge,

and having crossed the bridge, enter the first gate on the right. The road leads alongside the river, passing many pretty houses (amongst which is one built and inhabited by the late Dr. Arnold,) to Pelter Bridge, two miles and a half. Rydal Hall, with its park, and Rydal Mount, will be frequently in sight. Behind, Ambleside, backed by Wansfell, has a picturesque appearance. On the right are the heights of Fairfield aud Kirkstone. By crossing the bridge, the Keswick Road will be gained, and the tourist can then either return to Ambleside, or proceed to Rydal, which is 300 or 400 yards further. Those who are fond of long walks, should, instead of crossing the bridge, keep to the left, and pursue the road behind the farm house, called Coat How, which leads above the south-west shore of Rydal Mere. This Mere being passed, the road ascends the hill side steeply for some time, until it reaches a splendid terrace, overlooking Grasmere Lake, with its single islet, and then, climbing again, joins, on Red Bank, the Grasmere and Langdale road. Here the tourist has the choice of returning to Ambleside by Loughrigg Tarn and Clappersgate, or proceeding to Grasmere village, in doing which he will pass in succession Dale End, the Wyke, and the Cottage, all on the margin of the lake.

It

To pursue the high road, however, from Rydal to Grasmere, a sharp turn brings us in sight of Rydal Mere. At this point is Glen Rothay (W. Ball, Esq.), and a wooden bridge crosses the river to the road above described. The lake is very small, being not more than half a mile long, by scarcely a third of a mile broad, but the scenery surrounding it is eminently beautiful. is fed by the stream from Grasmere Lake, and sends in its turn a feeder, called Rothay, to Windermere. The irregular heights of Loughrigg Fell rise above the southwest margin, whilst the road we are traversing is overlooked by the rocky front of Nab Scar. Near White Moss Quarry, now unworked, two ancient roads to Grasmere cross the ridge which partitions that valley from Rydal, both of them shorter than the modern way. The

lower of the two conducts past the Wishing-Gate, and rejoins the new road, which has been taken at a great expense along the lowest level, near Wordsworth's old house at Town End. The pedestrian will do wisely to pursue this road, as the views to be seen from it are of the most delightful kind. Grasmere Lake is somewhat larger every way than its sister mere. It has just one island placed in its centre. To reach the village of

GRASMERE,

a deviation from the Keswick road must be made at Town End, a few houses on the right, one of which Wordsworth occupied for eight years. Whilst residing here, many of the pieces for which he will be remembered, were composed; and, in 1802, he brought his bride to this very house, now partially hidden from travellers on the high road, by the intervention of some later built cottages. The "little nook of mountain ground," mentioned in his "Farewell," refers to this spot. The village, a sweet little place, stands amongst the flat meadows at the head of the lake, four miles from Ambleside. In the burying-ground adjoining the parish church, are interred the remains of the Poet Wordsworth, who died on April 23, 1850. An excellent hotel has recently been opened, which stands on a commanding eminence overlooking the high road, about half a mile distant from the village of Grasmere, and comfortable quarters are provided at the "Red Lion" and the "Swan," and private lodgings can be procured, if required. Grasmere is an excellent station for enterprising tourists. Allan Bank (Thomas Dawson, Esq.), stands on a platform of ground behind the village. This house was for some time inhabited by Wordsworth, memorials of whom might be gathered throughout the whole vale, for here he spent many happy years, and there is scarcely a crag, a knoll, or a rill, which has not found a place in his " numerous

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* It would be unpardonable to omit giving Gray's description of

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