Carlisle Patriot, 03 Sep 1825 - The Lakes

[petra.mi...@doctors.org.uk]

Saturday 03 Sep 1825   (p. 3, col. 3)

 

THE LAKES.

 

Extract of a Letter from Ambleside, Sunday, Aug. 21.—Storrs, the elegant mansion of Mr. BOLTON, on the banks of Windermere, continues to be the centre of attraction to a numerous and highly distinguished circle of visitors. Beneath this hospitable roof, Mr. CANNING has been for the last fortnight enjoying retirement from the fatigues of office, in the society of some of his most congenial friends; and the health of the Right Hon. Secretary appears to have already received great improvement from the pure and invigorating air of Westmorland. Scarcely a day has passed in which he has not been seen exploring some of the beauties of our scenery, either on horseback, or by water; nor can any thing exceed the enthusiasm which the kind and affable demeanor of the great Statesman excites among all ranks of our population. Mr. BOLTON's party is to receive a splendid addition to-day, in the person of Sir Walter SCOTT, who has been traversing Wales and the Lake country, on his return from Ireland. The celebrated Baronet arrived two day's ago at Elleray, the summer residence of Professor WILSON, and, to-day, he and his party, it is understood, remove from thence to Storrs. To-morrow, there is to be a procession of boats and a regatta on the lake, in honour of the greatest statesman and the greatest poet of the age, thus happily thrown together amidst scenes of unrivalled beauty and magnificence. The party at Storrs includes, besides the illustrious persons already mentioned, Mrs. CANNING, Lord and Lady Frederick BENTINCK, Mr. Charles ELLIS, M. P., his son, Captain ELLIS, Professor and Mrs. WILSON, Mr. DENNISON, M. P., Miss SCOTT, of Abbotsford, Miss MURRAY, Miss STANIFORTH, Mr. WORDSWORTH, the Honourable William HARVEY, Secretary to Mr. CANNING, Mr. LOCKHART, Mr. BELL of the Chancery Bar, Sir James and Lady GRAHAM, Mr. SCARLETT, &c. all of whom are expected to be on the lake to-morrow. The weather is delightful, and every inn in this neighbourhood is crowded with tourists.

 

Monday, Aug. 22.—About noon to-day our lake began to exhibit symptoms of gaiety much surpassing any thing that has been witnessed here during the lapse of many years. About thirty boats, sailing and rowing, mustered in the bay of Bowness, and the command being taken by Professor WILSON, they proceeded in line to Storrs, where Mrs. BOLTON and her distinguished party were ready to join the fleet in her splendid barge. The Secretary for Foreign affairs was hailed by a universal burst of cheering, nor was the reception of the Great Northern Genius less enthusiastic. As the flotilla entered Bowness Bay, the church bells rang a joyful peal, and the firing of cannon from shore and on the lake awoke the mountain echoes. Mr. CANNING and Sir W. SCOTT sat opposite to each other in the barge, and the variety of evolutions performed by the flotilla gave opportunity to many hundred eager eyes to catch a glimpse of the illustrious strangers. The spectacle altogether was most beautiful, and possessed an indescribable charm over the feelings and imagination. In the course of an hour almost every boat on the lake had joined this unexpected regatta, and, on Mrs. BOLTON's barge taking final farewell of the festivities, nine cheers were given, in good nautical style, by the whole fleet. Sir Walter SCOTT, it is said, leaves our lake to-morrow, in company with our own celebrated poet, Mr. WORDSWORTH, for Keswick, on a visit to Mr. SOUTHEY; Mr. CANNING remains for a fortnight longer at Storrs.

 

Another account:—Sir Walter SCOTT arrived at the White Lion Inn Bowness, on Saturday morning the 20th inst. and soon after took a sail on the Lake with Professor WILSON in his barge. Proceeding as far as Storrs, they made a morning call, and returned to Bowness, having on board Lord F. BENTINCK, his Lady, Mr. WORDSWORTH, and others. This celebrated Northern Bard, dined at Elleray in company with his daughter, Mr. LOCKHART, &c., and staid all night. On Sunday he went to Bowness church, sat in Mrs. WATSON's seat, and afterwards called at Calgarth, on his way to Storrs to dine; there were present Mr. CANNING, Lord and Lady F. BENTINCK, C. ELLIS, Esq. M. P., Mr. WORDSWORTH, Professor WILSON and Lady, Hon. Mr. HARVEY, Captain ELLIS, Mr. LOCKHART, &c. &c. On Monday morning at 12 o'clock nearly 30 boats left Bowness bay in procession for Storrs, with flags, awnings, &c., Professor WILSON's barge leading and marshalling the array. On their arrival, Mr. BOLTON's barge, containing Mr. CANNING, Sir Walter SCOTT, and all the fashionable party on a visit at his princely mansion, was received with three cheers. The procession was then put in motion to return to Bowness, amid the roar of cannon, the sound of bells, and the harmonious strains of two bands of music, the shores of the lake re-echoing with the noise of the cannon, or the swelling note of the sonorous trumpet. A breeze now sprung up and the sail-boats were in motion, performing various evolutions in the bay, while hundreds of spectators were witnessing with emotions of pleasure the animated scene. Mr. WORDSWORTH was with Col. BOLTON in the Victory; the Miss WATSONs of Calgarth, Major TAYLOR and many others with Professor WILSON in his barge. After plying about for an hour in the bay, the procession moved up the lake, round an island, and made sail for Storrs, where the illustrious strangers were saluted with three cheers on re-landing.—Tuesday, Sir Walter SCOTT breakfasted at Rydal Mount, and from thence proceeded to Keswick, accompanied by Mr. WORDSWORTH, to visit his friend Mr. SOUTHEY; returned to the Salutation Inn, Ambleside, in the evening, and proceeded next day to Lowther Castle, through Patterdale. The greatest enthusiasm was displayed by the gentry resident on the banks of Windermere, to show every attention and afford every means of pleasure and delight to their distinguished visitants, Mr. CANNING and Sir Walter SCOTT; they were observed to sit opposite to each other in the barge, both wearing white hats. Mr. C. is now in good health and stays a week longer; he has visited Langdale, Grasmere, Patterdale, Troutbeck, Elleray, and many other places among the hills and dales of this delightful summer residence; he his [sic] much on horseback, going at a hand-gallop, and visiting every thing worthy of remark or observation. The Right Hon. Gentleman and his Lady are at present (Tuesday last) at Lowther Castle on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Lonsdale. Storrs has been a scene of gaiety and splendour for the last two or three weeks, the hospitality of the worthy owner of the mansion being almost unbounded.

 

On leaving Lowther Castle, Sir Walter SCOTT proceeded to Rokeby, one of the favourite scenes of his inspiration, were [sic] he purposes staying some time.