Thirlmere Lake.

eminence , famous for its hazel nuts . To make a good day ' s excursion , the tourist should take his route through the Vale of St . John ' s , Avhich he can do either on foot or b y Avaggonette . He would drive three miles , having the River Greta , with Brnnclholme Woods , on his left , backed up by Blencathra and Lofty Skidchw . At the third mile-stone he should turn to the right , and enter St . John ' s Valleywith Hollin root on his left ancl Shiindrahow on his

, right . In front , as he crosses the valley , there is Hill Top , the aucient seat of the Gaskarths , a family of great respectability in their day . ' It AVUS the Rev . Dr . Gaskarth Avho gave £ 200 , two centuries ago , to increasee the endowment of St . John ' s Chapel , and his family enjoyed the right of presentation alternately with the freeholders , till one of his descendants sold it to the first Earl of Lonsdale . Another clergyman of the family , Avho OAvned Hill Top , had a

daughter who married Colonel Howard , afterwards Lord Andover , and ultimately Earl of Suffolk . Her portrait , a beautiful one , Avas unfortunately destroyed by a fire , which took place at Greystoke Castle , not many years ago . Next the tourist passes Lowthwaite , a neat country residence of the Williamson ' s , long settled there . As he progresses the valley narrows , ancl Castle Rock ( of Sir Walter Scott ' s Bridal of Triermain ) comes prominently into

view , and stands a perpendicular mass of rock , resembling in form a huge tower or keep of the olden times . Passing Stanah , the occupation-road turns to the right ancl leads into the Keswick ancl Ambleside turnpike-road . Here it turns to the left , and half a mile brings you to Thrispot , Avhere there is a road-side inn , with the sign of the King ' s Head . Here may be seen an ancient sign , preserved inside the house , having the following distitch upon it : —

John Stanley lives here and sells good Ale , Come in and drink it before it goes stale . He succeeded his father Peter , And i'th old man ' s time , it was never better . Just beyond the inn , the road to the lake leaves the turnpike and passes Dalehead Hall , which stands on the right , with a fine green field stretching down to the lake . In half a mile come to the stone foot-brid which looks as

you ge , indestructible as if it had been built by the Romans , albeit they' have not left much to mark their way through this remote lake and mountain land . There is no cement used , ancl therefore we may conclude that it is British in imitation of Roman work . Here the tourist should leave his vehicle , cross over the bridge , and Avalk along the western shore of the lower reach of the lake ; then he will discover that its principal beauties are to' be seen along this side .

Green , in his excellent guide , says : "Mrs . Radcliff ' e , like others who have written upon it , seems not to have deviated from the turnpike-road , for she says : "This is a long but narrow and unadorned lake , having little else than walls and rocky fells starting from its margin . It is much to be regretted , " he adds "that Mrs . Radcliff ' e did not traverse the western side , for , had she done sothe public would doubtless have been much gratified bher

, y descriptions of some of the finest scenes in nature . " The distance from Keswick by the direct road over the bridge , which cuts the lake in two , is about thirteen miles , and may be clone only on foot . But the pedestrian would do well to take the Keswick road to Ambleside so far as near the end of Shoulthwaite Moss , then diverge by an occupation-road past Smatlrwaite , round the foot of the lake to Armboth ancl so cross the foot-bridge .

By this route you have Raven Crag , Bull Crag , and Fisher Crag on your right , ancl the bends , promontories and islets on the lake are seen stretched at full length at your feet as you traverse the ancient mountain road . The way I have indicated , through the valley of St . John ' s , adds about two miles to the distance . Southey says there are no legends in the lake country , and , indeed , they are very few , and those there are Avould have puzzled that incomparable magician to have made a taking story of them .