'Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her.'
"I am so much delighted with the spot, that I scarcely know how I shall leave it. The situation is one of the deepest retirement; but the bright lake before me, with all its fairy barks and sails, glancing like things of life over its blue waters, prevents the solitude from being overshadowed by anything like sadness."
To connect the image of the sweetest of all poetesses with the scenery of Winandermere, was like adding a soul of music to a form of beauty. We fancied her seated in the alcove which she has described, as embosomed with the sweet brier and the moss rose-tree, her sons sporting around her, or listening to her sweet words, and regretted that our visit here should have been ten years too late.
Winandermere was much wrapped in mists and clouds while we were upon its banks. Yet we had some glimpses of its exceeding beauty. Sails were continually gliding over its surface. It has islands in its centre, and a background of distant mountains. It is ten miles in length, but so narrow that its circumference does not exceed twenty three miles. It abounds with fine fish, and is a favorite haunt for wild fowl. Long droughts, or protracted rains, but slightly vary its appearance, though it is said to be subject to strong agitation from winds and storms.
Americans, accustomed to the broad expanse of Erie
