WINDERMERE. Thus do'st thou smile, enchanting scene! These oak-crown'd banks have dress'd; MRS. DORSET. THOSE Who have once seen the lake of Windermere, will not forget its varied beauties; but it is not in one or two days that the scenery which presents itself can be fully appreciated. Opportunities must be afforded of witnessing the different effects of light and shade, sometimes in the morning, and again in the evening, either on the water, or the distant hills and vallies. Sometimes when the sun gradually bursts forth from a cloud, the streaks of light are seen to dispel the gloom, and throw the landscape into view, or when a rapid cloud veils the luminary for a moment, the sombre hues of evening appear to cover the smiling scene. During the early morning, the bright beams of the sun do not produce too much glare or heat, but serve to give a charming glitter to the dewdrops, as they bespangle the grass and flowers, and produce a cheerfulness which every lover of nature must admire. In the evening the calmness of the lake is often most striking. The light hovers over it, and the reflection of the trees in the transparent water beautifies the scenery. The beams of the setting sun sometimes glow first over the vallies, and then illumine the tops of the distant hills with their vivid redness. These gradually and gently disappear, but the grey tints of evening still have their beauty, and a diversity of these are preserved long after the more splendid effects of the setting sun have vanished. Deep shade contrasts with the recent splendour till the silvery moon appears with her modest light, and forms a streak across the lake, which is occasionally broken as a breeze of the gentlest kind passes over it. Dear, lovely island! Never shall I forget your beauteous scenery, or the affection with which I was welcomed to you.* Seated, in the cool of the * I may, perhaps, with a mixture of parental affection and the garrulity of old age, be allowed to mention the pleasure I have received in visiting a beloved daughter, who, with her husband and beautiful children, occasionally reside on the island. It contains about thirty acres. "Its form is oblong, with irregular shores, retiring into little bays, and broken into creeks. The surface is somewhat uneven, and a sort of ridge runs through the middle of it." From every part some beautiful object pre evening, under one of your noble trees, while the gentle ripple of the water against your banks, and the late warbling of the redbreast, were the only sounds I heard, how peaceful were my feelings! Nothing can be more excluded from the noise and interruption of life than the pretty island on the lake of Windermere, or abound with a greater variety of those circumstances which make life pleasing. Happy the man whose tranquil mind And pleas'd the whole surveys; The varying year may shift the scene, The quiet of his soul. ANONYMOUS. Nor is the scenery of the lakes the only thing to be admired in a locality abounding with so much beauty. I traversed lanes sheltered by oaks, ash, and hazels, and only those who have seen the sents itself, the scene being constantly changed. The house is a large circular building, with a handsome Grecian portico. 'Tis there (may they ever be blest from above), Cumberland hazels can form an idea of the beauty of their silvery bark and luxuriant growth. From these lanes there are occasional openings, through which a view of a portion of the lake is caught, or a distant range of hills is seen. And what picturesque and rugged hills they are! Huge, projecting rocks, and verdant lawns, and deep channels, with the water flowing over the rough grey stones of the country in wet weather, or changed in dry weather to a sparkling rivulet, trickling along its course to swell a brook at the foot of the hill. Those only, indeed, who have wandered amongst the hills in the neighbourhood of Windermere lake, can form an idea of the many pretty rills which trickle along their rocky beds, and which are clothed with a variety of ferns and other plants. After rain, these mountain streams dash and foam with the utmost turbulence, but at other times they pursue their course, sparkling over the rough inequalities of their channel. Here numerous mosses may be found, and all around nature has furnished a dessert for her rustic children. Wild raspberries are met with in great profusion, as well as the little Alpine strawberries, and bilberries, and in every direction huge wild cherrytrees may be seen covered with fruit. These spots are haunted by blackbirds and thrushes, and indeed by many other birds who feast on the fruits thus liberally bestowed. Higher up the hills, huge masses of rock project, frequently grasped by the roots of some giant oak, looking like the claws of a fabulous bird. Underneath the rock, a yew-tree may be seen with its spreading branches and sombre tints, forming a pleasing contrast with the grey surface of the projecting rock. This is no fanciful description, but true to nature, and taken on the spot during a pleasing walk, on a delightful evening, with those whose affection and kindness added so much to my enjoyment of the lake scenery. This walk was continued a short distance above the verge of the lake, which was seen here and there through openings in the coppice wood. The landscape was charming. Above were the precipitous hills, and below, the lake calm and peaceable, with its islands looking like floating woods, reflected in the watery mirror. But how shall I describe the effects of the setting sun. It was, indeed, hidden by the abrupt hills, but its rays illumined not only the lake and its islands, but glowed on the distant vallies and mountains with a beauty, which no pencil could imitate and no language give an adequate idea of. Th' harmonious glow Wide spreads around, and not a cloud disturbs The mellow light. SOTHEBY. |