by the inhabitants dignified with the name of islands.

We rowed to the end of this reach, when we landed, and walking about half a mile, arrived at a very comfortable inn in Patterdale. Though we saw Ullswater in its peaceful mood, we were informed, that it is frequently very tempestuous, and its surface is then completely covered with small breakers, which are called by the inhabitants "White Nags."

The following description of a thunder-storm on this
lake, is extracted from a Poem entitled " De Vaux, or
the Heir of Gilsland," lately published in Carlisle,
Anon o'er plains and mountains vast,
The clouds their heavy blackness cast,
And from the caves awoke the blast;
Sudden the lake of brilliant blue
To dark grey shifts its chequered hue :
Breaks the loud peal from fell to fell-
"Tis past! but hark again its yell!
Comes it from the wild dales, or heaven,
From echoing strait, or skies new riven?
The whitening surf beats in, and mocks
The boatman's strokes; the thunder shocks
Redouble; and the mingled sound

Of hundred torrents rises around,
Barring access to every bay,

Choked with huge fragments hurl'd away.

A.

FOR THE POCKET MAGAZINE.

THE WALK WITH ELIZA: A FRAGMENT.

"The tasteful pavilion, the rich painted hall,
The palace majestic, ah! what are they all,-
Though hung in brocade, and though fretted with gold,
Compared with the splendor of Nature unrolled."

D. H.

IT was on the evening of the day after my arrival, that the weather being extremely fine, Eliza, (so is my friend named,) was disposed for a ramble, in order that she might shew me all her favourite haunts, and point out to me more particularly those picturesque beauties which environed the happy spot where she

had fixed her abode; and accordingly I set out with her, not a little pleased at the idea of such an excursion with such a companion.

We bent our way at first over a range of lofty and impending cliffs, (for though this coast is chiefly low and flat, there are parts of it which form a complete contrast to the general character,) beneath which was extended a level beach of fine sand, and in the offing, at a considerable distance, were to be perceived a number of little white sails, that appeared as if endeavouring to catch the inconstant breezes that then agitated, but feebly and irregularly, the surface of the sea, and which, when contrasted with the vast and dreary solitude of waters, conveyed a pensive but not unpleasing sensation to the heart. Having for some time in silence contemplated this scene, which was particularly novel to me, and well adapted to put me in a musing vein, the famous visit of St. Preux with Julia to the rocks of Meillerie, and his previous bannissement to that immortalized spot, occurred to my recollection; and, approaching as near as I could with safety the verge of a beetling promontory, that jutted out into the sea beyond the rest, exclaimed in a serious tone, while I kept my eyes fixed on the waters below, "La roche est escarpée, l'eau est profonde;" but thanks to those invisible powers which are said to overrule the destinies of lovers, I continued with a smile, I am not like Rousseau's very romantic hero," au désespoir.” “ Allons-nous-en, mon ami," said Eliza, offering me her arm, and smiling in her turn, as she repeated Julia's words," l'air de ce lieu n'est pas bon pour moi."

"You must excuse the madness, charming Eliza," I cried, (taking the arm she offered,)" that would identify itself with those imaginary circumstances, which the justly celebrated Jean Jacques has so admirably portrayed: indeed, your presence and the appropriate situation of this unfrequented spot, might well combine to conjure up the illusion."

"And yet," said she playfully, "we are sadly deficient in respect to the imagery of his magic pencil; for here is no foaming torrent, formed by the melting of the mountain snows, rolling impetuously at our feet; no chain of inaccessible Alps behind us; no

Glaciers, the tops of which are capped with vast bo dies of ice, that have been accumulating ever since the creation: nor can we perceive beyond this watery expanse, the rich and fertile plains of the Pays de Vaud; no, not even the majestic Jura, crowning with its lofty summit the superlative grandeur of the scene!"

"True, Eliza," I replied," but when blest with the presence of the mistress we adore, nothing is easier than to make up such deficiencies."

It may be well supposed that all this ended in a way that was not very becoming in two philosophers; and yet, after all, it did not end in any manner but what even modesty herself might have deigned to acknowledge.

We now turned our steps in an inland direction, intending to return home by a circuitous route, when as we advanced amidst the rural seclusions of this charming tract of country, the day light gradually closed upon us, and the mild radiance of a full harvest-moon illuminated the surrounding scenery. The breezes, which but an hour before had partially ruffled the trees and the surface of the ocean, had now entirely subsided; all was hushed in profound silence; with the exception that occasionally we heard the voices of distant reapers, (who were making the most of the favourable opportunity for gathering in an abundant harvest,) and a few wild notes from some nocturnal bird. In short, all that environed us displayed a romantic pictúre, that gave one an idea of perfect tranquillity and repose, and might be said to be no unworthy transcript of the fabled Elysium.

This charming serenity which (to use a poet-like expression) breathed around us, infused a corresponding calm into our breasts: and I think if any lurking selfishness, or any consideration arising from a mercenary motive, had still occupied a seat within me, the feelings of that moment must have driven it away for ever. Acutely did the chords of sensibility vibrate in the bosom of my fair companion; nor could she help expressing to me the genuine effusions of her heart-that heart, which from its great susceptibility, was prone to every species of laudible enthusiasm; and thus she

gave rise to a conversation which has ever since afforded me matter for rumination.

"An eminent author," said Eliza, "in praise of the morning has thus expressed himself:

"Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet,
With charm of earliest birds."

Now I, in my devotion for the evening, would add to it,

And sweet the sacred calm around diffused
At eventide, when nature seeks repose.

I never am," she continued, " in a situation like the present, but a kind of charm pervades my imagination, and I can then offer up to Heaven the purest devotion of which a mortal is susceptible. Whenever I behold yonder pale luminary thus adorning the landscape with its placid beams, I fancy I perceive the smiles of the Deity depicted, as it were, in its mild radiance; and that the sweet serenity which prevails over the expanded bosom of nature, is an acknowledgment from him, of being well pleased with those who wish to make themselves deserving of his goodness. It is then that I say confidently within myself," surely I am living under the peculiar regard of Providence; yes, the Great Author of Nature himself condescends to watch over my destiny: like to a tender parent he lends a complacent ear to all my solicitations, and with unceasing care he safely guides me through the bewildering maze of this earthly existence, which is, I am assured, only the prelude to a better state." Often do I appropriate the words of a beautiful allegory to myself, and devoutly exclaim:

"When in the sultry glebe I faint,
Or on the thirsty mountain pant,
To fertile vales and dewy meads
My weary wandering steps he leads,
Where peaceful rivers, soft and slow,
Amid the verdant landscape flow."

Addison.

"Sweet pietist," I replied; but I must here observe, that this was the first time I had ever conversed with my friend on the subject of theology, and therefore her sentiments in this respect were new to me. "Sweet pietist," I said, “ I do ín part participate in your feel

ings. Ah! who indeed could be an indifferent specta tor of Nature in the charming dress we now behold her in? These verdant fields and exuberant groves, that impart a thousand exhilarating odours; those roman. tic, those elysian vales; those distant and receding hills; and yonder level ocean, now gilded by the soft and silvery light of the moon, and wrapped in the uni form silence of evening, have in their appearance something truly soothing and romantic, and which, to a susceptible and contemplative mind, must ever hold a superiority over the splendour of the brightest day."

*

March, 3, 1821.

D. HARRISON.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE POCKET MAGAZINE.

SIR, A celebrated French author, who thought hanging criminals in chains an indecent practice, and cruel to the surviving relatives of the culprit, took the following method of exposing and censuring it :. He de scribed a ship at sea encountering dreadful tempests, and reduced to a perfect wreck, with only one of the crew left on board. After being for weeks the sport of winds and tides, the vessel was cast on some unknown shore, which the sailor reached in safety. The interior of the island or continent appearing mountainous and inaccessible, he travelled miles along the coast, anxious to discover on what land he had been deposited. At length he came to a man hanging in chains, which filled him with joy, for then he knew that he was in a CIVILIZED country!!! As I am sensible I do not possess the abilities of this writer, will you allow me to carry his metaphor a little fur ther, and to say, that, had the seaman proceeded on till he came to some populous village or town, and there met with many children and grown persons of both sexes, who never knew where they were born, nor any thing about their parents, surely this would have been a strong confirmation of the aforesaid conviction -an evidence of social improvement and refinement