Wansfell, a hill of no great altitude, but commanding a very 

 extensive view. The little white cottage fronting the south, 

 which lies embowered amid the trees on the slope, is Dove- 

 nest, where Mrs. Hemans lived for a time. Looking west- 

 ward, the towers of Wray Castle stand out conspicuously, as 

 though asserting a right to dominate the waters beneath. 

 The view of upper "S3^manbetmete from the pier is very 

 fine, especially if the traveller be fortunate enough to see it lit 

 up by the glowing tints of a summer sunset. As the coach 

 approaches the toll-bar, the group of houses about Waterhead 

 is immediately in front, and Clappersgate village, on the left, 

 is seen nestling under the slopes of Loughrigg. The Brathay 

 valley, marked by the Italian campanile of the little grey 

 church at its entrance, opens out gradually. Among the most 

 effective objects of the scene, are two bold masses of rock 

 which shoot out of the water, surmounted by groups of 

 mountain firs. The dark outline of these trees stands out 

 in beautiful relief against a background of lighter green. 

 The nearer rock marks the point where the combined streams 

 of the Rothay and Brathay enter Winandermere. At the 

 ^oll^bar the turnpike divides, one branch sweeping round 

 to the left by Brathay, the other leading directly into j3_mbks 

 %itit. During the short stoppage in the town, there is time 

 to admire the Mechanics' Institute, — a new building of fine 

 blue stone, — in the open space near the hotels. 



^i)Z ^Einoll will be pointed out in the outskirts, and 

 shortly the descent into Rydal Valley is reached, — the nar- 

 row gorge, which forms the portal to Wordsworth's Lake, ap- 

 pearing to great advantage. The clump of Scotch pines on 

 the rocky knoll in the foreground, by concealing the exact 

 limits of the ravine beyond them, greatly enhances the per- 

 spective ; indeed, few pictures of the same extent are at once 

 grander and more perfect in every way than this. 



