length; the shores, however, approach so near to each other in the middle, that a bridge has been thrown over the strait, which divides the lake into two distinct parts.

On its eastern side, Thirlmere skirts the vast base of Helvellyn; and the numerous torrents that rend their way down the sides of this mountain contribute their copious streams to the lake. A deep brown shade is imparted to the waters by the surrounding hills; and there being little or scarcely any verdure on the banks, and no hanging woods to cast a rich shadow on its surface, this mere presents an almost uniform air of wildness and desolation. The predominating features of the scene are greatly heightened by the vast crags apparently hanging on the sides of Helvellyn; from which, it is probable, they have been torn by some convulsion of nature. The western shore of the lake forms a small promontory, adorned with a neat manor-house enveloped in trees, and a picturesque group of rocks, some of which are pyramidal, and mantled with wood to their summits, while others boldly project their grey and naked sides. Thirlmere exceeds in its elevation that of any other lake, being five hundred feet above the level of the sea: the greatest depth of its waters is ascertained to be eighteen fathoms.

In some measure connected with our present subject, is the mournful catastrophe of a young gentleman, who, in the spring of 1805, lost his way in the mountains, and perished beneath "the dark brow of the mighty Helvellyn." He had left Patterdale without being able to procure a guide, and was proceeding to Wythburn; contrary, however, to the advice of those acquainted with the dangers of the road, by whom he had been strongly persuaded to wait till a conductor could be procured. It began to snow heavily a short time after his departure, and to this circumstance his unhappy fate was, no doubt, mainly attributable. The mountain passes are, on such occasions, rendered unusually perilous, and the greatest circumspection is required, even in those who are not ignorant of their route. His remains lay undiscovered for three months; when, at length, they were found guarded by a female terrier, the companion of his rambles.

Sir Walter Scott, and the author of the "Excursion," have given a permanency to this touching incident; the former by his poem-" Helvellyn," and the latter, by a beautiful composition, entitled "Fidelity."

In "Helvellyn" are the following exquisite lines :

"How long didst thou think that his silence was slumber?
When the wind wav'd his garment, how oft didst thou start?
How many long days and long nights didst thou number,
Ere he faded before thee, the friend of thy heart!
And, Oh! was it meet that, no requiem read o'er him,
No mother to weep, and no friend to deplore him,
And thou, little guardian, alone stretch'd before him,—
Unhonour'd the pilgrim from life should depart."

L

Different in poetical character, but not less beautiful and affecting, is this extract from "Fidelity:"

"The dog which still was hovering nigh,

Repeating the same timid cry,

This dog had been through three months' space

A dweller in that savage place.

Yes, proof was plain, that, since the day

On which the traveller thus had died,

The dog had watched about the spot,

Or by his master's side:

How nourished here through such long time

He knows, who gave that love sublime,

And gave that strength of feeling, great
Above all human estimate."

On the eastern side of Wythburn water is a rock, projecting into the lake, known by the name of "Clarke's Leap." It acquired the appellation from the circumstance of a person, bearing this name, having, in deference to the suggestion of his wife, precipitated himself into the mere. This singular instance of complaisance, it has been remarked, can find few, if any, parallels in ancient or modern times.

SKIDDAW, FROM APPLETHWAITE,-CUMBERLAND.

Applethwaite, a hamlet in the township of Under-Skiddaw, is situated on the south side of the mountain, at the end of "a deep and wild chasm;" and is distant from Keswick about a mile and a half towards the north. Ormathwaite Hall, in the immediate neighbourhood, belongs to Sir John Walsh, Bart., together with the extensive surrounding estate. In Applethwaite is a large woollen manufactory.

Skiddaw, as seen in the illustrative view, is too distant to give a just idea of its stupendous height and extent. It will, however, form the subject of another Engraving; we may, therefore, refer to the present one as merely exhibiting, from a commanding point, the picturesque features of a mountain village :

"Seemingly preserved

From the intrusion of a restless world,

By rocks impassable and mountains huge."

AIREY FORCE, CUMBERLAND.

Airey Force, situated in a deep and winding glen, in the neighbourhood of Gowbarrow Park, is an extremely fine and picturesque object; contesting the palm of beauty with Stockgill Force. A delightful winding path leads up the rocky vale to the waterfall, and after making a sudden turn, so as to come into a nook of the glen, the visitor arrives in