it warms him; if melancholy, it cheers him; if drowsy, it revives him; if in pain, it eases him; if sick, it recovers him; he then feels not the weight nor is concerned that his tackle is no better. This is the prosperity of the fisher; but if you see him in adversity, when fortune does not smile on his endeavours, you shall find him much a-tired, and in a contrary condition, supposing (I say) that the thing called luck does not attend him, which should refine all the dross of outward misfortunes; he is then so much at a loss and dejected that he can expect but a bitter portion. Patience and hope are the two chief pillars that support the building of a fisherman, for if once they are disturbed or shaken, you may easily foresee the ruin of Piscator."

A FISHING EXCURSION IN THE LOWLANDS OF SCOTLAND.

BY WANDERER.

(Continued.)

To those visiting the lakes, and, indeed, all fine scenery, we strongly recommend a leisurely mode of proceeding; better, we think, to see a little well, than a great deal badly, according to the instructions given us when a child as to the way of proceeding with our lessons. We can by no means enter into the sentiments of those who rush through the lake district by coach or 'bus, and flatter themselves at the end of two days that they have "done the scenery." No doubt there is no way of viewing scenery so thoroughly and independently as by walking; but this will not suit the age or constitution of all, and so we leave everyone to choose his own mode of locomotion; all we say is, give yourself time to digest what you do see. Don't be in a hurry.

Amongst other beautiful spots in this district there is one where men of genius have enjoyed their day-dreams amidst the lovely scenery, including Christopher North; while Scott must have more than once visited the spot, waiting for some ferry-boat, perhaps; and the poets Wordsworth, Southey, and Coleridge have again and again been at the Ferry Nab. At Storrs, where the pier juts out with its little tower, these met together on a time, as we are informed by Lockhart. "There were brilliant cavalcades through the woods in the mornings, and delicious boatings on the lake by moonlight; and the last day Professor Wilson ('the Admiral of the Lake, as Canning called him) presided over one of the most splendid regattas that ever enlivened Windermere. Perhaps there were not fewer than fifty barges following in the Professor's radiant procession when it paused, near the point of Storrs, to admit into the place of honour the vessel that carried kind and happy Mr. Bolton and his guests. The three bards of the lakes led the cheers that hailed Scott and Canning, and music and sunshine, flags, streamers, and gay dresses, the merry hum of voices, and the rapid splashing of sensations as the flotilla wound its way

among the richly-foliaged islands, and along bays and promontories peopled with enthusiastic spectators."

Sad, indeed, it is when we reflect that all those great persons are now dead-that the sunshine upon wave and leaf, and that magnificent array of mountains, all of which were to them as familiar friends, and on which we still gaze are hidden from their view for ever. In crossing this ferry, about fifty persons, comprising a wedding party, were once upset and drowned.

Grasmere, at a distance of four miles from Ambleside, is a sweetly pretty village situate on the lake of the same name, and the pretty rural church is well worthy of a visit, both in itself and its grave-yard being the burial-place of the poet Wordsworth, near to whose tomb a well-carved head-stone marks the final resting-place of poor Hartley Coleridge (the son of the great poet, and himself a poet too), whose kind nature appears to have singularly endeared his memory to all the inhabitants of the locality. Within the church, on one of the side-walls, is a handsome marble slab, with an inscription surmounted by the bust of the poet Wordsworth. In passing Town End, the residence of the poet for several years after his marriage, is seen, consisting of a humble white cottage, where De Quincy resided after him, and in it is said to have written his "English Opium Eater;" where Southey, Coleridge, Lamb, and Charles Lloyd must have all been visitors at one time or other. This cottage has since been let in lodgings, we believe, at the ordinary rate. The Lake Hotel is a handsome building, and affords excellent means of accommodation, and furnished with a billiard table to enliven the tedium of wet days, which are by no means uncommon at Grasmere. Time would fail us to describe the various delightful excursions to be made in this beautiful locality, while the angler, active of limb and sound of constitution, may enjoy his rambles to lakes and tarns, independent of the numerous conveyances, both public and private, prepared for the accommodation of tourists. Of the two towns of the lake district, viz., Ambleside and Keswick, the former is decidedly the more central and convenient station, although around the latter lies the grander portion of the scenery.

On the 30th of September we booked our places by the Keswick coach for the following morning, and having given orders about our luggage, we walked down to the hotel from which it started, and a more beautiful prospect as regarded weather could not be desired; but it was not long before we discovered that we had an equally-fine prospect of having our neck broken, or, at all events, meeting with some dislocation of limb from the reckless manner in which our Jehu tooled our team of four. We proceeded along the level road beside the beautiful Lako of Rydal, at a good pace, and in all safety, which continued to Grasmere, in which village are many sudden turns, round which we proceeded at a comparatively headlong speed, and on rounding one corner, we were apparently, if not really going on two wheels, the opposite pair being raised above the ground. At every house-of-call our driver stopped, and allowed himself sufficient time (we presume) to "refresh the inner man," as after each repetition of his descent from the coach-box his tongue became more voluble, his face more rubicund, and his driving more rapid, and well might be applied to our coach, "vives acquirit eundo." Another stop, and, we suppose, another

refreshment! Speed still on the increase, checked presently by a long and steep hill; which, however, had to be counteracted by a corresponding descent. On goes the patent drag, and we rattle down, regardless of unprotected precipices. Presently the wheels are released from their temporary thraldom, and we finish the hill in a gallop which sets us rolling about from side to side, after the manner of porpoises in a storm. O breeching be faithful to your duty! O goodly pole be strong and worthy of the confidence reposed in you! O horses, don't bolt, or take a kicking fit! Never mind rolling stones; don't stumble till you reach level ground, at all events; and although you should meet the most frightful apparition, swerve neither to the right hand nor to the left, but preserve "the even tenor of your way!"

Once more on level ground and we all feel more comfortable, but another house of call tempts our flagellater to make an entry, when a fellow passenger inquires whether it is necessary for him to stop at every house in order to imbibe, to which an indignant reply is returned through a third party to the effect that for aught the inquirer knows he may be a teetotaller (query).

Well, as we proceed descents become more and more precipitous, until at last we come to one which is past a joke, and requires in addition to the patent drag one of the old skids, which is put on by a boy who attends for the purpose, and we now actually descended the almost precipice, surrounded by lovely scenery in a walk! This slow proceeding doesn't last long, and resuming our former pace we soon rattle into the town of Keswick. The leaders are now dispensed with, but with the remaining pair our coachman drives about the streets, and away to the railway station regardless of small children that may be playing in his road.

At last we reach the inn, and feel considerably relieved to find ourselves once more standing on our feet, and out of jeopardy. We should here observe that the driver of the return coach is a very steady one, and so it is a matter of chance to whose care the tourist may commit himself, and it is only fair to say as regards our Jehu that while his recklessness is admitted by all, it is asserted that he has never actually been the cause of an accident. Having arrived in safety on one element, we proceeded to the beautiful lake Derwent-water, and after a slight refreshment on its beautiful shores, committed ourselves to another, by engaging a boat the property of an old and enthusiastic fisherman, who rowed us round one of the beautiful islands, the property of a gentleman who has an enviable house, together with open boats, a fast sailing yacht, a conveniently constructed place for bathing, and in short every luxury that can render a temporary yearly residence on a small island enjoyable.

After an agreeable row on the lake we went to the black lead-pencil manufactory, which we strongly advise all visitors to Keswick to inspect. It is very interesting to watch the progress of the pencil making from the first piece of rough wood to the final polishing of the cedar and the gold-lettering, the machinery being beautifully adapted to the several stages of the process, while some, such as cutting, fixing, and glueing the lead in the groove made to receive it, &c., are performed by the hand. Pencils at various prices are to be purchased on the premises.

There is also a museum in Keswick worthy of a visit, and especially a model of the Lake District, which affords the tourist an excellent idea of the places he has seen or is about to see. There are several islands on Derwent-water, one which, Lord's Island, takes its name from having been the residence of the Derwentwater family; where some ruins and the remains of an archery ground are still visible. Next in size is St. Herbert's island, and possibly the most interesting of all; and was undoubtedly the residence selected by that hermit.

Besides many other small islands, there is occasionally a floating one, which appears above the surface and again sinks. Many years ago we landed upon this island, the soil of which was soft and muddy although the weather was very dry. On our last visit to Keswick this island had disappeared three weeks before our arrival. On one occasion it was planted with cabbages by a University reading party.

As regards angling in the neighbourhood, the river Greta, which runs by Keswick, is preserved by a club, from whom tickets may be obtained for the season for the sum of five shillings. The river Derwent also is well supplied with trout; salmon also make their appearance occasionally. The Greta flowing out of Thirlmere Lake, which is near at hand, joins the Derwent at the foot of Derwentwater, which latter river at about five miles distant flows into Bassenthwaite Lake. Besides these waters there is a stream which runs up Borrowdale. There is good trolling for trout in Derwentwater, and the rivers connecting it with Bassenthwaite also occasionally contains some very fine trout and pike. The season commences on the 1st of March, and terminates on the 10th of October. All the streams, including Derwentwater within a distance of six miles are preserved by the club. Large pike and perch are produced by Bassenthwaite.

The Cocker runs from Lower Water into the river Derwent, and enters the Solway Firth at Workington, eight miles below Cockermouth. We were informed by our old boatman and angler, that for the last three years the char or Italian trout introduced here by the monks to the number of a thousand had been put into Derwentwater, both from Windermere (where they are taken with the rod) and also from Geneva, but that they had not up to that time shown themselves in Derwentwater, but that they were expected to do so before long.

The name of "Keswick" is derived from Kesh the Kechsy, or water hemlock (Kesh is the local name), which here grows luxuriantly; so Keswick is really Hemlock-town, a name going back perhaps even to the time of the Ancient Britons. Leland speaks of it as "a lytle poore market-town cawlled Keswicke, a mile from St. Herberte's Isle;" that Bede speaketh of Camden says: "On the edges of this lake, in very rich land, surrounded by dewy hills, and defended from the north winds by Skiddaw, a very high mountain lies Keswicke, a small market town, many years famous for the copper works, as appears from a charter of King Edward IV., and at present inhabited by miners, whose smelting-house is by Derwent-side, which with his forcible stream and other ingenious inventions serveth them in notable stead for easy bellows-works, hammer-works, and sawing of boards not without admiration of those who behold.”

A contributor to the Gentleman's Magazine in 1751, says that “the poorer inhabitants of Keswick subsist chiefly by stealing, or clandes

tinely buying off those that steal the black-lead, which they sell to Jews or other hawkers." Hutchinson in his tour, speaks of Keswick as "but a mean village, wholly indebted to the amenity of its situation for the notice of travellers," and he sums up all that is said about it in the facts that the accommodation is very indifferent, that no tradition is preserved of St. Herbert that, there are eagles in the cliffs near Bank Park (at the head of the lake) and on the shore, a saline spring of very salubrious quality (at Manesty probably), and that a cliff projecting over the lake is called Eve's Crag, from its likeness to a woman. This saline spring was the property of the monks of Furness Abbey, and salt works were here for their advantage. The Newland mines were discoverod in Queen Elizabeth's time by Thomas Thurland and Daniel Hetchletter, a German from Augsburg; the upshot being a lawsuit between the Queen and Thomas Percie, Earl of Northumberland, the lord of the manor, which ended in favour of the former and her prerogative, because more silver and gold than copper was found, so they said, and the royal metals belonged to her, the baser only to the lord. Fuller, in his "Worthies," has a note on the Newland mines: "These mines lay long neglected, choked up in their own rubbish, till renewed about the beginning of Queen Elizabeth, when plenty of copper was here afforded, both for home use and foreign tronsportation. But copper itself was too soft for several military services, and could not alone (no single person can prove a parent) produce brass most useful for that purpose. Here taste and see Divine Providence, which never doth its work by halfes and generally double the gifts by seasonable giving them lapis calaminaris (whereof hereafter in due place) was then first found in England the mother of brass, as copper the father thereof. We must not forget the names of the two Dutchmen (good frogs by sea, but better moles by land) who refound out these copper mines, wherein also some silver (no new milk without some creame therein)-viz., Thomas Sharland and Daniel Hotchslabter, of Auspurge, in Germany, whose nephews bought land." The Newland mines, after being long abandoned, are again at work, and yielding well, while a new lead mine has been opened at Salt Level Bay. These "gold and silver" mines in Newlands constituted one of the three branches of old Keswick trade; the other two branches consisting of the black lead or wad furnished by the mines in Borrow. dale, and the wool of the numerous mountain flocks.

"May God Almighty grant His aid
To Keswick and its woollen trade,"

was the rhyme cut in stone over the entrance to a pencil mill; but the rhyme has not saved the trade, and the pencil-making, though continued, is not of the importance that it was. The Keswick buildings are not noteworthy; except St. Mungo's or St. Kentigern's Church (the saints themselves must decide on the proper appellation), the mother church at Crosthwaite, out by Dortinscale, already spoken of, there is really nothing to notice. The Town Hall is much like other small town-halls, not very imposing in appearance, but possessing a bell with the date of 1001, and the letters H. D. R. C. upon it. There is a