1809.] 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
VY NUE papers have lately very generally 
Lr stated the great obligations which 
the country is under to Mr. Spencer 
Smith, for having shown his patriotism, 
by introducing the valuable plant which 
produces the Turkey madder roots: of 
the importance of this plant, I have long 
been so well aware, that I must assert 
my claim to the honour by informing you, 
that full twenty years ago, I imported 
seeds, from which numerous plants were 
produced, and have been circulated in 
considerable quantities amongst my 
friends. I still retain plenty of plants 
for the same purpose, and have in my 
possession, cotten dyed from roots of my 
own growing fifteen years ago, of a much 
Jiner colour than had ever then been 
produced in Britain. Some later im- 
provements in the process of dying, would 
probably produce a finer colour now, con- 
sidering the superior quality of the roots. 
[shall probably take an opportunity of 
Stating at large, the causes which have 
hitherto retarded its culture with success; 
they chiefly depend upon the climate, as 
the roots require to be dried* without 
fire, which is found to injure the colour, 
and render itofasimilar hue to the Dutch 
madder, or of a brick-dust tinge, instead 
ef crimson. Your’s, &c. 
© the ie & IULPS, 
Manchester, Sept. 10, 1809. 
Ee 
Lo the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
ROUGH the channel of your well- 
Bh conducted Magazine, L beg leave to 
endeavour to bring the scenery of Esth- 
waite Lake into more general notice 
than it has hitherto obtained. It will 
not, [ hope, be thought an intrusion by 
the admirers of the beautiful in nature, 
as situations of less consequence, are 
often more minutely described. The 
most particular place to be mentioned in 
this description, is Strickland Ease, a 
very beautiful peninsula, in Esthwaite 
Lake, a sweet situation, admired by all 
people of taste, who have seen it, which 
has long been thought an eligible place 
for a gentleman’s retreat. Though it is 
usually a peninsula, it frequently forms 
an island, as the water, when high, over. 
flows the isthmus, and thus totally sur- 
rounds it. Indeed it might, at a small 
expense, be made a complete and per- 
* inthe damp month of November. 
Moyruty Mac, No. 192. 
On the Scenery of Esthwaite Lake. 
473 
petual island, by cutting through the 
isthmus, which is low and narrow. It is 
situated on the western margin, and 
about half way up the lake, into which 
it stretches very far; is of a handsome 
elliptical form, comprehending upwards 
of nine and a half acres, and is fringed 
round with coppice and timber-treess 
such as oak, ash, &c. In the iniddle it 
rises into a beautiful mount, crowned 
with cultivation. 
The best view of this lovely and ins 
teresting spot, may be enjoyed by tour- 
ists, on the road from Cantmel to 
Hawkshead. When at about two miles 
from the latter place, the lake appears 
from the road at Easthead Pasture, 
where they may stop and obtain a good 
distant view of Strickland Ease, rising 
majestically from the bosom of the beau- 
tiful lake. A very fine near view of it, 
may he afterwards obtained by passing 
by it, as it is near the road. 
Should the travellers cross Winander- 
mere, at the ferry, and vo from thence to 
Hawkshead, they may also obtain a good 
view of the peninsula, from the east side 
of the lake, on the road betwixt Sawrey 
and Hawkshead, but they ought by no 
means to omit visiting the stations 
pointed out before. 
The beauties naturally possessed b 
this lovely spot, may be considerably im 
proved by tasteful buildings, plantations, 
&c. Prime and pleasant situations for 
this purpose, are becoming scarce amongst 
the lakes. This place, on account of 
the singularity of its beauty, situation, 
&c. canuot be matched in England. It 
resembles, more than any other situation 
in the neighbourhood, Belle Isle, the 
favourite retreat of J. C. Curwen, esq. 
for which the sam of thirty thousand 
pounds has been offered and refused. ° 
This peninsula is situated¢in a very im- 
proving neighbourhood, and if builtupon, 
would form an elegant and healthful re- 
tirement, being admirably situated for 
fishing and field sports, as game is plen- 
tiful in its vicinity. 
The mountain scenery which surrounds 
this place at a distance, is awfully sub. 
lime; but to enjoy it I would recommend 
a personal survey. 
The editor of a periodical work, having 
published that there are musquitoes in 
the neighbourhood of this place, the au- 
thor of this has made enquiries concern- 
ing them, and cannot learn any thing 
certain about them, except that the ” 
tenant of this spot, for upwards of seven 
years past, says, that there are no such 
3P insects 
