rupted ascent, on the side of a green declivity. At the northern end of the vale there is another lake called Bassenthwaite closed in like a wedge between two mountains, and bounding the view; the vale with both its lakes opened upon us as we ascended. The second stage was infinitely more laborious, being so steep, though still perfectly safe, that we were many times forced to halt for breath, and so long that before we had completed it the first ascent seemed almost levelled with the vale. Having conquered this, the summit appeared before us, but an intervening plain, about a mile across, formed the third stage of the journey; this was easy travelling over turf and moss. The last part was a ruder ascent over loose stones with gray moss growing between them,-on the immediate summit there is no vegetation. We sat down on a rude seat formed by a pile of the stones, and enjoyed a boundless prospect, that is, one which extended as far as the reach of the human eye, but the distance was dim and indistinct. We saw the sea through a hazy atmosphere, and the smoke of some towns upon the coast about six leagues off, when we were directed where to look for them the Scotch mountains appeared beyond like clouds, and the Isle of Man, we were told, would have been visible had the weather been clearer. The home scene of mountains was more impressive, and in particular the lake of Bassenthwaite lying under a precipice beneath us. They who visit the summit usually scratch their names upon one of the loose stones which form the back to this rude seat. We felt how natural and how vain it was to leave behind us these rude memorials, which so few could possibly see, and of those few in all human probability none would recognise,-yet we followed the example of our predecessors. There are three such seats upon the three points of the mountain; all which we visited. It is oftentimes piercingly cold here, when the weather is temperate in the vale. This inconvenience we did not perceive, for the wind was in the south,-but it brought on rain as we were descending, and thoroughly wetted us before we reached home. After dinner, as the rain still continued, and we could not go further from home, we went to see an exhibition of pictures of the lakes, a few doors distant. There were several views of one called Was. water, which is so little visited that our book of directions is silent concerning it. It seemed to us however to be of so striking a character, and so different from all which we have yet seen, that we consulted with our host concerning the distance and the best mode of getting there, and have accordingly planned a route which is to include it, and which we shall commence to morrow. The people here wear shoes with wooden soles. D., who had never seen any thing of the kind before, was inclined to infer from this that the inhabitants were behind the rest of England in improvement; till I asked him whether in a country so subject to rain as by experience we knew this to be, a custom which kept the feet dry ought not to be imputed to experience of its utility rather than to ignorance; and if, instead of their following the fashions of the south of England, the other peasantry would not do wisely in imitating them. 3 U 3 POETRY. POETRY. ODE for the NEW YEAR, 1806. By HENRY JAMES PYE, Esq. Poet-Laureat. WH WHEN ardent zeal for virtuous fame, And weak the boldest flight of Fancy's wing :-- Upborne by worth th' immortal chief shall rise, Of seraphs, list'ning from th' empyreal sphere, For though the Muse in all unequal strain From Gaul Iberia, and Batavia won ; Th' Egyptian coast, while Albion's genius guides * Alluding to a poem called Naucratia, written by the author, and dedicated by permission to his majesty. + Copenhagen. Arrest 1 Arrest the fury of his naval war, When Glory shines the leading star; The fervid source of heat and light, And shine with clearer light, and glow with fiercer fire. From Europe's shores th' insidious train, Rapid across th' Atlantic fly To Isles that stud the western main ; His victor flag immortal Nelson rears; Fly the strong eagle o'er th' ethereal space, The Gallic barks the billowy deep divide, Their conquests lost in air, o'erwhelm'd in shame their pride. The hour of vengeance comes-by Gades' tow'rs, The godlike warrior on the adverse Pow'rs Leads his resistless fleet with daring prore. Terrific as th' electric bolt that flies With fatal shock athwart the thund'ring skies, On man's presuming offspring driven, Full on the scatter'd foe he hurls his fires, Performs the dread behest, and in the flash expires But not his fame-While chiefs who bleed For sacred duty's holy meed, With glory's amaranthine wreath, By weeping Veitory crown'd in death, 3 U 4 In In History's awful page shall stand Each youth of martial hopes shall feel With emulative wish thy trophies see, But o'er the renovated plain See Maia lead her smiling train Of halcyon hours along ; While burst from every echoing grove Loud strains of harmony and love, Preluding to the choral song, Which opening June shall votive pour To hail with proud acclaim our Monarch's natal hour. Still must that day, to Britain dear, To Britons joy impart ; Cloudy or bright, that day shall wear And as before the fervid ray That genial glows in summer skies, Each cloud that veil'd the beam of day Far from the azure welkin flies: Se So may each cheerless mist that seems Our brightening ether fly, and melt away in air. Awhile though Fortune adverse frown- A living rampire round their parent Lord, From Albion's, Erin's, Caledonia's land, The kindred heroes of the Briton line, To whelm invasion 'neath our circling flood, Or stain our verdant fields with Gallia's hostile blood. THE LAST MINSTREL. (From the Lag of the Last Minstrel). TH By WALTER SCOTT, Esq. HE way was long, the wind was cold, The unpremeditated lay; Old times were changed, old manners gone, The |