broad expanse of Morecambe bay, and the Lancaster sands enclosed in the distance by the blue hills of Westmorland, where the associations are not so replete with war and military splendour, but amongst whose fertile vales and quiet lakes poets have loved to dwell; and upon scenery, in whose calm solitudes nature is so impressive; whose mountains, seen in twilight on a summer's evening, impress one with ideas which can neither be adequately described nor easily forgotten.

However ardent may be the desire to go forward direct to the Lakes, we would recommend those who can spare time to stop at Lancaster a day or so (if it were only to inspect the interior of the Castle, Church, etc.), and take a ramble or two in the vicinity. Good accommodation will be found at the King's Arms, Market Street, the Royal Oak or the Commercial Inns. An order to view the interior of the Castle, which is well worth a visit, may be obtained without much difficulty; which the governor, the sheriffs or magistrates have the power of issuing. Referring the Tourist to an interesting guide published at Lancaster, we will merely say that the interior is now principally used as courts of law and a penitentiary. It also contains many remnants of antiquity. A very extensive and beautiful view is obtained from the John of Gaunt Chair, on the summit of the great Norman keep.

The Town Hall, situated on the west side of the market place, is an imposing structure, and contains, in the council chambers, some well-executed paintings of William Pitt and Lord Nelson, George III. and George IV. The arcade and portico are used as a grain and but

ter market on Saturday: the market-place then presents a busy scene, being well stocked with poultry, fruit and vegetables; but at other times the town is remarkably quiet.

In going round the Castle, the Church, situated as it is on an eminence overlooking the town, naturally attracts attention, and forms an important feature in a general view of Lancaster. It is spacious and lofty, one hundred and forty feet in length, sixty feet broad, and forty feet high. The outside walls are said to be the date of the fifteenth century. In the interior are some singular carvings in front of the chancel and vestry, very beautiful, said to be about four hundred years old; near the altar are twelve grotesquely carved folding seats, which, with the monuments surrounding the walls, are well worth inspection-one particularly worthy of notice is an engraved brass, to the memory of Thomas Covell, apparently a very important personage, who was mayor six times, forty-eight years keeper of the castle, a justice of the peace, and forty-six years one of the coroners for the county. His portrait is engraved in his aldermanic robes, and to which some few lines of eulogy stand affixed, a very curious specimen of literary talent. He died at the age of seventy-eight, August 1st, 1609.— There are chapels for the principal denominations of dissenters—and three beside the parish church devoted to the establishment.

From the church-yard, which commands a good view of the river, are seen the remnants of the old bridge and the beautiful railway viaduct over the lane. By crossing the railway and along the quay, we come in sight of the Custom House. It is a neat tasteful build

ing, the portico consisting of four Ionic columns supporting the pediment.

The old bridge, of which only a portion remains standing, formerly consisted of four arches, and is supposed to be of Danish origin.

The commercial trade of Lancaster is not great, although a good business is done by railway with its more important rival, Liverpool. Since the bed of the river has accumulated so much sand, only small vessels can come up. There are five mills in the town employed in the cotton manufacture, and one in silk, that give employment to a population which has been calculated at about 15,000.

On approaching the new bridge, you are much attracted by the light elegant arches that span the stream. Its length is five hundred and forty-nine feet, divided by five equal elliptical arches. The view of the town from the bridge is imposing, and forms a most attractive entrance from the north; - the church, castle, and houses, which are seen clustering together on the hilly part, present an agreeable picture of an old English

town.

The famous Ladies' Walk will no doubt attract all who feel pleasure in admiring the retired nooks, which are not to be found in the more bustling towns. The avenue of trees, forming one of nature's most delightful arches, conducts us over the meadows to the aqueduct bridge, about a mile distant, from which is obtained a most extensive view of the surrounding country.

This interesting structure conveys the water of the Preston and Kendal canal over the Lune. It is built upon five semi-circular arches springing from rustic piers, and

VALE OF THE LUNE.

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is fifty-one feet from high water to the canal, each arch spanning seventy feet, the whole bridge being six hundred and sixty-four feet long. It was built by John Rennie, Esq., at a cost of £50,000. The canal, of which this forms a part, extends a distance of seventy-eight miles from Clayton-le-Woods, near Preston, to Kendal. It is about six feet deep, and forty-two feet wide; a very considerable quantity of heavy goods is conveyed upon it; and, occasionally, passengers used, before the railway was open, to avail themselves of this mode of conveyance.

From the top of the aqueduct bridge, a view is presented of the vale of the Lune, very beautiful and extensive. Looking forward, the majestic Ingleborough closes in the view. The little village of Halton is seen, with its pretty church, towards the margin of the river, about a mile distant, while, near, the banks are fringed with brushwood and hedge rows, with shrubberies bordering the meadows, reflecting the glittering light that plays upon their leaves in the sunshine in the Lune's placid waters.

Returning, we get an interesting view, through the broad arches of the aqueduct; we hear the noise of the waters falling into the weir on the other side of the river; then we come to the weir or lock used for salmon fishing, into which the waters of the river take a leap of four or five feet; and, retracing our steps along the banks of the river, famed for its crystal waters, and through the Ladies' Avenue, we again find ourselves on the bridge.

The institutions of Lancaster demand a passing notice. Among the most interesting is the gallery of drawings and paintings of the Society of Arts situated on Castle

Hill, instituted for the encouragement of art in the vicinity, and to which artists have free access. It contains some good specimens of the English school.

Below the Castle Terrace, and west of the Church Yard, stands the Free Grammar School, which gave education to two eminent scientific men of the present day, namely Professor Owen, F. R. S., Curator of the Royal College of Surgeons, and the Reverend W. Whewell, B.D., F.R.S., Master of Trinity College, Cambridge.

There is also a small Museum of Natural History, situated in St. Leonard's Gate, and an Assembly-Room in King Street, used for public concerts, lectures, and subscription balls. It is occasionally the scene of much festive gaiety, and the resort of all the beauty and fashion of the neighbourhood.

The Public News Rooms are open to strangers, on being introduced by a member; "The Merchants," in Market Street; "The Amicable," in New Street. The Public Library, in Church Street, called the Amicable, contains several thousand volumes, besides the reviews, and all the leading periodicals of the day.

There are several Charitable institutions, among which may be named, the Dispensary in Thurnam Street, and Penny's and Gillison's Hospitals; but Gardyner's Chantry is one of the most ancient, founded 1485, consisting of four small houses on the east side of the vicarage.