and water, with verdant pastures and cultivated grounds, are extended at your feet. Beyond these, the mountains with verdant sides, and purpled with heath, rise in various forms, and discover a small lake, called Elter water. From this water issues a white silvery stream, which joins the Brathay, and thence flows over a succession of small cascades to mighty Windermere. Not far distant, the majestic lake of Windermere, which gradually unfolds itself during the ascent to the summit of the mountain, now appears in all its grandeur, studded with numerous islands, and nearly intersected by jutting promontories. Over the western margin of Windermere, Esthwaite Water is seen extending to Hawkshead; and on the right of it, Conister Lake stretches among the high and rocky fells of Furness. In the horizon is seen the Irish sea, washing a very indented shore. At another point, mountains extend as far as the eye can reach, declining imperceptibly into distance, and advancing their summits to different heights of elevation of these the most prominent are Dow Crags, Grisedale Pike, and Helvellyn."

The present view, taken from Fox How, an ascent between the ranges of mountains. on both sides of the valley, discovers the verdant beauty of Rydal vale, and the lofty hills which environ it in this quarter.

PRUDHOE CASTLE,-NORTHUMBERLAND.

Prudhoe Castle, so called from its occupying a proud eminence on the south bank of the Tyne river, gives name to a township and hamlet situated half a mile south-south-east of Ovingham. The steep promontory on which stand the ruins of this once celebrated fortress, communicates with the circumjacent grounds by a narrow neck of land, stretching towards the south. The site of the castle occupies seven parts of a circle, on an octagonal section. It is guarded on the north by an outward wall, constructed on the brink of the cliffs, which rise to the height of sixty perpendicular feet above the level of the river. The superstructure of the inner gateway is a massive embattled square tower, sixty feet in height, but which is so overmantled with ivy that the windows and loop-holes are scarcely discernible. The keep, or principal tower, measuring seventy-five feet in height, and forming a square of fifty-four feet, overlooks, with sullen and frowning aspect, the extensive and confused heaps of ruins by which it is surrounded. This ruined fortress forms a conspicuous and highly interesting object in the scenery of the vale of Tyne; and from what point soever it is viewed, its amazing extent, dilapidated walls, and time-worn towers, produce an august and imposing appearance.

Prudhoe Castle is considered to owe its original foundation to the Romans; it was a place of considerable note during the Heptarchy, and also at the time of the Conquest. It was the baronial mansion of the Umfranville family; and afterwards, for many ages, a castle of the Northumbrian Percy, in whose posterity it continues. The former house possessed it from the Conquest till about 1381, when it was transferred by marriage to the