140 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT FISHERIES 



on the north, Loughrigg on the south, a panorama 

 of hills crowned by Fairfield on the east, and Silver 

 Howe on the west. The last-named is the scene 

 of the great Guide's Race, upon the occasion of 

 the famous Grasmere Sports the " Derby of the 

 Dales," as Miss Braddon has called it. Words- 

 worth and De Quincey lived here, and, as is well 

 known, the former is buried in Grasmere church 

 yard. 



The Rothay, a capital trout stream, and one of 

 the affluents of Windermere, runs hard by. 



It may here be remarked that the Rothay valley 

 contains five sheets of water of varying size from 

 the tiny Cod ale Tarn to majestic Windermere ; 

 and between these are Easdale Tarn, Grasmere 

 and Rydal Mere. With the exception of the last, 

 however, these beautiful sheets of water are more 

 renowned for their scenery than for the fishing 

 they afford. 



The lake is about one mile in length, three- 

 quarters of a mile in breadth, and lies 208 feet 

 above sea-level. From the lake itself can be best 

 seen the magnificent amphitheatre of mountains 

 which surround it. 



Grasmere contains trout, pike, perch and eels, 

 but no char. Salmon occasionally run into the 

 lake and its tributaries to spawn, and quantities of 



sides reflected in the water with wonderful distinctness. 

 The effect of this lake upon the spirit was immediate ; 

 awakening a feeling of something profound in one's own 

 nature. Windermere was tranquil, but it was a cheerful 

 tranquility ; its genius was peace, but peace with a smiling 

 aspect. Grasmere seemed to be formed amidst the moun- 

 tain recesses expressly as an abode for lonely, silent, pensive 

 meditation." CHANNJNG, 



