BROTHERS' WATER, FROM KIRKSTONE FOOT,-WESTMORLAND.

The small lake of Brothers' Water, though extremely interesting, and surrounded by scenery of the most enchanting and sublime description, is scarcely larger than a mountain tarn. Mr. Baines, junior, in his Companion to the Lakes, recommends the tourist to approach it from the Kirkstone side, in his route from Ambleside, as in that case "it is the beginning of beauties." Mr. B. accompanies his advice with these judicious observations:-"It may seem in speculation to be a matter of indifference at which end you begin, as, going over the same ground, you will have all the beauties, first or last; but it is found by actual observation, that a great difference is produced by the way in which objects present themselves; much depends on the first impression, and much on the order of improvement or of deterioration in which the views are seen."

This lake is said to have obtained its name from the circumstance of two brothers having been drowned here. Such an event did actually occur in the year 1785; and tradition speaks of a similar one having taken place, at a period considerably more remote ; but as the ancient name of the lake was Broader Water, it becomes matter of speculation whether the appellation has been gradually corrupted, or suddenly changed on account of the incidents before-mentioned.

The road from Patterdale to this lake is pleasant and easy, winding through level meadows, skirted by hanging woods and lofty mountains, down whose sides "a hundred torrents rend their furious way." The sound of these streams is occasionally driven full on the ear; while at other times it is scarcely audible, unless re-echoed from the opposite side. It is no unusual circumstance for one part of the mountains to be wrapped in shade, while the other exhibits all the glowing variety of colour which the rays of the declining sun can impart. The road from Brothers' Water to Ambleside lies through a rugged pass, truly alpine in its character, and winds along a contracted valley, with a lofty and naked mountain impending on the left. A steep and difficult path, leading to the heights of Kirkstone, encounters the deafening tumult of a raging torrent, tumbling and foaming over its rocky channel.

The meadows, spreading out to a considerable distance beyond the lake, present a surface as level as that of the pool itself; and Mr. Baines conjectures, "that they were once covered with water, and that an alluvial deposit, or the accumulation of vegetable matter at the shallow bottom of the lake, or the widening of the passage by which the water flows out of it, has converted this considerable extent from a pool into a meadow."

The huge mountains of Place Fell and Grisdale Pikes terminate the view of Brothers' Water, as seen from Kirkstone Foot.

PATTERDALE BRIDGE,-WESTMORLAND.

The village of Patterdale is situated at the upper end of lake Ullswater, and the lowly dwellings of this quiet abiding-place, shrowded with trees and sheltered by scowling mountains, repose in a rocky nook, with corn and meadow land sloping gently in front to the lake. The bridge, which crosses one of the tributary streams of Ullswater, forms a picturesque object in the neighbouring scenery.

The vales of Patterdale lie embosomed in the midst of lofty and barren mountains, and are watered by springs and streams descending from the hills. The brightness of their verdure contrasts effectively with the rugged sterility of the adjacent heights. Here and there appears a neat white edifice, built beneath the shelter of a hill, and partly shadowed with foliage; its size insignificant, by comparison with the colossal magnificence that surrounds it.

At the head of Ullswater, and near the village, stands Patterdale Hall, the seat of Mr. William Marshall, and formerly the residence of John Mounsey, Esq., whose ancestors for many ages bore the title of kings of Patterdale. This mansion is surrounded by thriving plantations, which, with the lofty mountains behind, shelter it from cold and inclement winds. At the end is a delightful shrubbery, through which, in the approach to the house, a lovely garden is discovered; and in front of this is a lawn, gradually sloping to the road.

The church of Patterdale is an ancient white structure, furnished with oaken benches, and exhibiting a simplicity far more suitable to religious services, and the awful grandeur that environs its site, than the too tasteful and elaborate erections of modern times. The eye cannot glance on an object more sublime, than a village church in a mountain country. The hallowed associations connected with the sacred pile, can but appeal forcibly to the mind, when the road to its portal lies over hill and vale, where the very footsteps of Deity are discernible, and the majesty of Omnipotence is so awfully displayed! In the church-yard is a venerable yew-tree, of amazing circumference, and still retaining a good portion of vigour it stands a chronicler of departed days; and is viewed with interest by the senior inhabitants, as a pleasing reminiscence of early life, when they rested in its shade, and when their eyes had not become dim through age. Neither "storied urn, nor animated bust," nor indeed a single grave-stone, can be found in this church-yard. The lowly inhabitants of the village are content to be gathered to their fathers, with no other covering over their last resting-place than the green mound :—

In our church-yard,

Is neither epitaph nor monument,

Tombstone nor name; only the turf we tread,

And a few natural graves."