HE increasing demand for illustrated guide books to aid the tourist in his rambles, together with the increased facilities of railway communication, has suggested a

want which the present work is intended to supply; for when it is more generally known that in about twelve hours the Tourist may be set down at Kendal, direct from London-at the very gate, as it may be termed, of a district universally admitted to be the most beautiful in England, combining as it does the wildness of northern Scotland with the rich luxuriance of the most beautiful parts of England—it is not too much to assert that the number of Tourists will annually increase, as the facilities have increased for their gratification. The object therefore of the present "Pictorial Hand-Book"

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has been as far as possible to give a pleasant gossiping account of all the objects worthy attention on the routes whether it be the mountain or valley-lake or fall-gill or force-castle, abbey, ivy-mantled tower, or druidical remains, with such pictorial representations of them as shall place the volume on a level with the demand of the age for cheap illustrated literature; and which will also enable visitors to carry away to their homes a panorama of scenes associated with interesting reminiscences of travel. Independently of the natural beauty of the English Lake district, it has associations which will ever make it hallowed ground. For years it has been the abiding place of men and women who have been foremost in the advance of mind, and who have thoroughly identified themselves with its scenes among these occur the names of Southey and Wordsworth, Coleridge and Shelley, Professor Wilson and De Quincey, Wilberforce, Mrs. Hemans, and, last but not least, Harriet Martineau, all of whom by their writings have illustrated the beauty of the scenes with which they were so intimately connected, and which, for years to come, will cause thousands of votaries to make pilgrimages to their shrines.

Our northern brethren, in visiting the English Lakes, generally start from the ancient city of Carlisle, and on to Penrith, making Ulleswater, that most beautiful of lakes, the first on their route, and so on to Ambleside, usually the resting-place of all travellers who come direct into the Lake district; but as the great majority of Lake visitors start from a more southerly spot, we will suppose the tourist transported by the

power of steam to that great commercial mart of modern times, Liverpool; where he can either take the steamboat to Ulverston-the capital of the Furness district, and see the remains of the ancient abbey, and the modern priory of Conishead, the seat of Mr. Braddyll -to Windermere or Coniston water; or, he may take the as hitherto more usual route and proceed at once to that old fashioned town of Lancaster, a town as opposite to Liverpool in appearance as any two towns possibly can be. This route, preferred by all those who are anxious to see Lake Scenery first, and the Antiquities of Furness afterwards, is the route we propose to take in directing the steps of the lover of nature to the scenery which the Lake district affords.

It has been stated, that, by the aid of the railway, Kendal may be reached in twelve hours from London; but as many may wish to see the interesting town of Lancaster, we have commenced the "Pictorial Hand-Book" at that place; from whence they may proceed, by the Lancaster and Carlisle railway, to Kendal.

HE appearance of Lancaster to a person entering it for the first time reminds the stranger of some old Norman town, where, existing in an isolated corner, the march of improvement had stopped. Nothing so much induces this feeling as the rude stone window sills of the houses; and the round pebbles covering the road, without, in many parts, the more modern luxury of a pathway. The first object which attracts the attention of the visitor is the castle, occupying an elevated position above the town. This is approached from Market-street, up rather a steep ascent, when you arrive at the principal entrance called the Gateway Tower, built by John of Gaunt, whose statue occupies a niche over the entrance. This tower is flanked by two octagonal turrets sixtysix feet high, surrounded by watch-towers.

This is perhaps the finest part of the Castle, which, like Lancaster itself, has undergone many changes since its first erection; and much of its importance at this time is owing to John of Gaunt's restorations, who made it the resort of all the nobles of the land, whom he entertained here in princely magnificence.

Roger De Poitou was the principal person who made Lancaster a place of importance: he came over with the Conqueror; and was presented by William with Lancashire, as a portion of his newly acquired possessions. He may be said to be the founder of the present castle; which he built upon the Roman foundations. The great square tower, which rises above the whole building, called the Great Norman Keep, bears evidence that the solidity of the masonry was little inferior to the Roman.

There are five towers: the Gateway Tower; the Lungess Tower, or Great Norman keep, at the summit of which is a turret, called John of Gaunt's Chair, which commands a very extensive view; the Dungeon Tower, a small square tower on the south side; Adrian's Tower and the Well Tower; the last three are supposed to be built on the Roman foundations, whilst the Norman keep is thought to be Saxon.

To the historical student, this Castle presents features of peculiar interest. It is a remnant of antiquity which carries the mind back to the period of baronial rule, from the Norman conquest to the wars of the rival factions of York and Lancaster. It is not our purpose to dwell upon the pomp and grandeur which the castle naturally suggests; but rather let us walk round the terrace, which presents a fine view of the calm and silent waters of the Lune, running through the vale-the