THE TRAVELLER THROUGH | others, with a white, round-topped ENGLAND. WINDERMERE. MY DEAR CHILDREN,— It would take too long a time to tell you of all that Peg and I saw, on our road from Ullswater to Windermere. We stopped at a rich and lovely dale called Troutbeck-so called from the beck, or brook, flowing through it. We stood on Troutbeck bridge, and tried to get a good view of the lake, of which I had caught many fine glimpses already; but it was too late in the evening now, to see anything distinctly; so I resolved to sleep at the inn here, and start again the next morning. "Take the road to Low-Wood Inn, sir! and, just about a mile before you reach there, you will get a view of the lake. It is the best view, too, sir, except that of Rayrigg bank." As Peg walked comfortably along, I was busy observing more strange shapes in the mountains, though some of the distant ones were still surrounded by clouds. The mist, however, cleared off rapidly-and just as the sun was brightening up, I found myself on the highest part of the road, where a most splendid prospect suddenly burst upon me. There, spread out before me, was the clear bright sheet of water, larger than that of Ullswater, dotted here and there with islands, and presenting an appearance too beautiful for me to describe. From the place where I stood, nearly all the Islands could be distinctly and clearly seen. I found that, altogether, there were thirteen. One of them, which was called "Curwen's Island," was much larger than the building upon it. It was covered with fine woods, and edged all round with rocks. It is of no use for me to try and give you an idea of the beauty of the lake. You cannot imagine the reflections of the dark purple shadows in some parts-and the bright gleams of sunshine which gave the rest of the water the appearance of glass. Think of a sheet of glass several miles in length! You cannot imagine the beautiful reflections of the blue sky, and the white "flying clouds" which seemed to be chasing each other over the hills, and, in the water at the same time. I watched the fishing boats moving lazily and quietly along the edge of the distant shore; and two little sailing boats belonging to gentlemen living in the island. There were large flocks of wild fowl, which frequently sprang up from the rocks in the smaller islands, and then, after wheeling round and round in the air, and flying about for some time, settled down on the lake; some of them swimming together in groups; some forming long rows or files, following each other, and never keeping in a straight line, but cutting all manner of figures on the surface with the tracks they left behind them; whilst others were dipping head first into the water and rising again-making somersets"-flapping their sides splashing themselves-skimming the bright surface rapidly-plunging once more into the water, then, out again-and so, continually sporting on the wing." 66 66 The scenery around the lake also delighted me;-but, as I said, I cannot describe it. Words can give you no idea of the distant I would just say, that one part of the lake is very narrow; and there is a ferry-boat, in which the people cross to the opposite shore. After stopping at the ferry-house to take dinner, I hired a little skiff, and two men, and had a delightful row across the water, to the large island, called Curwen's Island, or Belle Isle. hills, or "pikes," as they are called, So, as I sat looking and wondering-forgetting Peg and myself -feeling only how calm and heavenly were the works of God-Lo! -PUFF! PUFF! another cough -and then another-with a strange wheezing noise. Then the noise of a fiddle, and a harp, with a heavy cloud of black smoke from behind a rock projecting into the lake, told me that the works of man were near, in the shape of the steamer "Lady of the Lake." She was filled with all sorts of noisy folks from Manchester, who had come up by the last "Excursion train." So, although the steamer looked pretty, as I did not like the fiddle and noise, I went away to breakfast. I cannot tell you of all the places I saw on the next day; but One of the watermen walked with me round this beautiful place, on a gravel path, nearly two miles long. We then walked up the hill, to the stately mansion, and stopped at a point from which may be seen one of the grandest, the most landscapes which England ever presented to the delighted eyes of a traveller. On our return, the watermen gave me some information about the fish in the lake. It not only abounds with trout, but with a fish called the char. This fish is about twice the size of a herring-of an olive green at the back, while some of its lower parts are white, and others, especially the fins, of a bright red colour. They said that not everybody was allowed to fish here, but that the lake was divided into five large districts. -- The owners of the lake let these districts to the fishermen, who pay so much money for rent every year, just as your papa pays rent to "the landlord" for his house. These men told me, too, of the great clouds and heavy showers which come on so suddenly, and of the violent squalls of wind, which raise waves on the lake, and storms, almost as fearful as those on the sea. W. Just like the waves on the Lake we read about in the Testament, when Christ's disciples were tossed about so. After wandering about on the shores of the lake, and visiting some of the smaller islands, or Holmes, as they are called (for "Holme" is the Saxon word for island), I reached the southern end of the lake, crossed Newby bridge, and set out for the large market-town KENDAL. On my way, I picked up some information on the "soil" of Westmoreland, which you may like to hear. It appears that this county derives its name from the wide, open moors on its western sidelarger than those of Cumberlandwhere numbers of geese are fed. Other birds, called grouse, which sportsmen are fond of shooting, are also found in these moors. I had almost forgotten to tell you something I had noticed on the road, which we will put in the history of the county's "surface." Some of the old mansions here, and many more of the farm-houses which I passed, were built, not of clay, or bricks, but of strong stones. These houses were surrounded by large yards, with very thick and high stone-walls. On making inquiry, I found that most of the houses were built, perhaps, 400 years ago, in the time before England and Scotland were made into one kingdom. At that time, Westmoreland being a border country, like Northumberland, there were very frequent fights and "frays" here. House burning, and robbery was continually happening, for the hills were infested with robbers. These border robbers, who were sometimes English, and sometimes Scotch, were called Moss Troopers, and they procured their food. by coming down on the plains at night, and carrying off the cattle and sheep by force. Therefore every farmer was obliged to fortify his house; to drive in his cattle and sheep from the fields, before evening time; and to shut them up in his strong courtyard, for protection, where they were guarded by strong and faithful watch-dogs. Both Peg and I enjoyed ourselves so much in this part of the country, that we were not anxious to reach Kendal until evening. There, just after supper time, I made some "Notes" on the different places we had seen-but I am really so tired and sleepy, dear children, that I don't think I can sit up to copy them. You shall have them next week. Good night, dear children! OLD ENGLAND. If the African stand OLD England for ever! No power shall sever My heart from the land of my birth. "Tis the land of the brave, Which none shall enslave; 'Tis the happiest land upon earth; "Tis the happiest land upon earth; "Tis the land of the free; So it ever shall be, Which no earthly power can bind ; Ere Britons be slaves, She shall sink in the waves, And leave not a vestige behind. But once on her strand, That moment his freedom he gains; A captive no more, He leaps on her shore, And breaks from him slavery's chains; The blessings that rise, From England, my country, my home. TRAINING-SCHOOL SONG BOOK. |