VALLEY OF TROUTBECK,-WESTMORLAND.

The Troutbeck is a tributary stream to Windermere, and falls into the lake at a short distance from Calgarth. The valley of Troutbeck, " a favoured spot of earth," is fertile and lively; and the village, which stands on the side of a hill enclosing the vale, is beautifully picturesque. In the midst of the valley near to the beck, stands the chapel; a neat, unpretending edifice, a simple rural shrine, every way suitable for the mountain worshipper.

"Many a year ago,

That little dome to God was dedicate;
And ever since hath undisturbed peace
Sat on it, moveless as the brooding dove
That must not leave her nest."

"Ah me! how beautifully silent thou

Didst smile amid the tempest! O'er thy roof
Arch'd a fair rainbow, that to me appeared
A holy shelter to thee in the storm,

And made thee shine amid the brooding gloom,
Bright as the morning star. Between the fits
Of the loud thunder rose the voice of psalms,
A most soul-moving sound. There unappall'd
A choir of youths and maidens hymn'd their God,
With tones that robb'd the thunder of its dread,
Bidding it rave in vain."

The Beck is a favourite resort for trout anglers; the sport is good, and the surrounding scenery possesses that picturesque and contemplative character which the disciple of Walton deems essentially necessary to enhance his enjoyment. The "summer beauty" of this delightful vale, annually desolated by the winter storm, brings to mind that exquisitely fine passage in Ossian: "The thistle is there on its rock, and shakes its beard to the wind. The flower hangs its heavy head, waving, at times, to the gale. Why dost thou awake me, O gale?' it seems to say: 'I am covered with the drops of heaven. The time of my fading is near, the blast that shall scatter my leaves. To-morrow shall the traveller come; he that saw me in my beauty shall come. His eyes will search the field,

but they will not find me.'"

6

The scenery of Troutbeck is exceedingly varied in some parts the stream is enclosed between high and rugged rocks, and in others is beautified with woodlands; whilst occasionally its banks spread out into green meadows and pastures.

"Nature casts forth her gifts with lavish hand,

And crowns, with flow'ry luxury, the land."

R

Referring to the View, we notice the Troutbeck mills standing on the woody declivity that confines the stream. In the distance appears the head of Windermere, shining like "a burnished silver sea," and adorned with islands, of which the most conspicuous is Belle Island. The promontories stretching out into the lake are decorated with Storrs Hall (the seat of Colonel Bolton,) the Ferry, and the Station House. The line of mountains on the right form part of the boundary of Lancashire.

A scene, such as is here presented, clothed in all the beauty and magnificence of nature gives additional energy to the passionate appeal of the poet :

'Lives there a man, with soul so dead,'

Who never to himself hath said

This is my own, my native land?"

Whether 66 our steps are on the woody hill" that shrouds this vale of peace, when the brightness of the sun-beam is streaming round us, or in that more quiet time when "heaven burns with all its stars,"

"With what attractive charms this goodly frame

Of nature touches the consenting heart

Of mortal men! And what the pleasing stores

That beauteous imitation thence derives,

To deck the poet's or the painter's toil !"

STICKLE TARN, LANGDALE PIKES,-WESTMORLAND.

Stickle Tarn is discovered when crossing the Pikes from Great Langdale. It is elevated about 1700 feet above the level of the sea, and is formed of numerous tributary streams flowing from the mountains. This Tarn passes off in a rivulet, which composes the picturesque waterfall of Dungeon Gill.

"This is the solitude that reason loves!
Even he who yearns for human sympathies,
And hears a music in the breath of man
Dearer than voice of mountain or of flood,
Might live a hermit here, and mark the sun
Rising or setting 'mid the beauteous calm,
Devoutly blending in his happy soul

Thoughts both of earth and heaven!"

The accompanying View is taken from the foot of Pavey Ark, a perpendicular rock, appearing in the foreground on the right. Next to it rises the lofty pike called Harrison Stickle, having a pile of stones on the top, to which it is customary for every visitor to add one. The mountain of Wrynose occupies the centre of the distance. Between Stickle Tarn and the first range of hills lies Blea Tarn, of which a view has already been given in this work.