30 "^ia^inantietmete^ 



It is one of the prettiest of lake sights. There are generally- 

 several sailing matches, the most important being that for 

 the challenge cup. The regatta club is composed of the 

 gentry of the neighbourhood. 



BOATING AND BATHING. 



There are plenty of boats to be had at Bowness, Water- 

 head, and Millerground, and watermen who are practised 

 and skilful. The stranger should be warned, however, 

 against two dangers which it is rash to encounter. Nothing 

 should induce him to sail on Winandermere, or on any other 

 lake surrounded by mountains, unless with persons who 

 understand the management of sailing-boats. There is no 

 calculating on, or accounting for, the gusts that come down 

 between the hills; and no skill and practice obtained by 

 boating on rivers, or the waters of a flat country, are any sure 

 protection here. Nothing should induce him to go out in 

 one of the little skiffs which are too easily attainable, and 

 too tempting, from the ease of rowing them. The surface 

 may become rough at any minute, and those skiffs are unsafe 

 in all states of the water but the calmest. The long list of 

 deaths occasioned in this way, — deaths both of residents 

 and strangers, — should have put an end to the use of these 

 light skiffs long ago. The larger boats are safe enough, and 

 most skilfully managed by their rowers; and the stranger 

 can enjoy no better treat than gliding along, for hours of a 

 summer day, peeping into the coves and bays, coasting the 

 islands, and lying cool in the shadows of the woods. The 

 clearness of the water is a common surprise to the visitors 

 from a level country ; and it is pleasant sport to watch the 

 movements of the fish, darting, basking, or leaping in the 



