THE

it has been remarked, "cannot easily be conceived. Nothing can be more excluded from the noise and interruption of life; or abound with a greater variety of those circumstances which make retirement pleasing."

This island formerly belonged to the Phillipsons, a Westmorland family of some note; and, during the contentions between Charles I. and his parliament, two brothers of this name, one of whom was then proprietor, aided the royal cause. After the war had subsided, Robert Phillipson being on a visit to his brother's house on the island of Windermere, Colonel Briggs, a parliamentarian officer, attempted to secure him, as a person who had rendered himself obnoxious to the ruling powers. Accordingly, he laid siege to the house; but was compelled, by the return of the proprietor with a strong party, to abandon the enterprise. Robert Phillipson had no sooner been relieved by his brother, than he meditated revenge. Advancing with a small troop of horse to Kendal, he there was told that Colonel Briggs had gone to prayers; upon which, he rode directly to the church, and proceeded on horseback through the midst of the congregation. The object of his search, however, was not there; and, the girths of his saddle breaking, Robert was unhorsed by the people, and, but for the timely succour afforded by his companions, would have been destroyed for this impious profanation of the sacred edifice. "The action marked the man. Many knew him; and they who did not, knew as well from the exploit, that it could be nobody but Robin the Devil."

This incident is worthy of remark, from its having been introduced with some poetical embellishment into the "Rokeby" of Sir Walter Scott.

"Through the gothic arch there sprung

A horseman armed, at headlong speed-
Sable his cloke, his plume, his steed.
All scattered backward as he came,
For all knew Bertram Risingham!-
Three bounds that noble courser gave;
The first has reached the central nave,
The second cleared the chancel wide,
The third, he was at Wycliffe's side."

The view of Windermere, shown in the engraving, is taken from the Ferry-house, whence a most delightful prospect is obtained across the lake. The distant mountains are named High Street, Harter Fell, and Hill Bell. The situation of the island previously mentioned, is indicated by the clustering foliage, connecting apparently with the foot of the mountains, yet being in reality far distant from them. Cowper would have been content to forego his "lodge in some vast wilderness," for a convenient dwelling on the banks of Windermere; and the beautiful remark made by Miss Landon on another view of the lake will apply with equal propriety to this: "Here might the weary heart dream itself away, and find the freshness of the spring-time of the spirit return upon it.”

NEWCASTLE,-NORTHUMBERLAND.

Newcastle, a borough and market town, usually designated Newcastle-upon-Tyne, from its situation on the northern bank of that river, was formerly a Roman station; and

some remains of the Picts' wall, which, extending from sea to sea, ran through the town, are still discernible in the vicinity of the Panden Gate. The town originally derived its name from a castle erected in the neighbourhood to check the inroads of the Scots; and, despite of changes and renovations, this noble structure affords strong evidence of its former strength and beauty.

Newcastle contains four churches, of which those dedicated to St. Nicholas and AllSaints are the most remarkable; the former for its lofty and ornamental spires, and the latter for its elegant steeple and beautiful interior. There are also many neat and appropriate buildings for the dissenting communities. The public charities of Newcastle are numerous, and most efficient; including among others an infirmary, a lunatic asylum, a lying-in hospital, and the keelmen's hospital, which last is supported by trifling contributions from the daily earnings of the keelmen. The bridge, an elegant structure, connecting the towns of Newcastle and Gateshead, was erected in 1781, at an expense of £30,000. In addition to other recent improvements, the town is adorned with an exchange, an elegant theatre, and a set of handsome baths. The residences of the higher classes are mostly in the northern part.

Newcastle has long been famous for its coal-trade, of which article it has frequently sent coast-wise, in the course of a year, upwards of 600,000 chaldrons. Here are also several extensive manufactories of glass, cloth, hardware, wrought iron, &c.; and shipbuilding is carried on to a great extent. Newcastle returns two members to parliament; and by the provisions of the reform bill, the inhabitants are entitled, under certain restrictions, to the right of voting in the election of members for the county.

The view of Newcastle, shown in the engraving, is taken from the Gateshead side of the river. The Tyne, partially covered with small craft, and graced by its elegant bridge, directs the eye to the dense line of erections, receding into remote perspective along the opposite shore. In this mighty assemblage of buildings, we readily distinguish the church of St. Nicholas, the castle, the new county courts, the church of All-Saints, and the exchange. There is an air of commercial greatness in the scene; and the distant shipping, of which the principal part, probably, is engaged in the coal trade, forcibly reminds us of the colliers, to whom a description of the Cimmerians, by Homer, may very well apply:

"The gloomy race, in subterranean cells,

Among surrounding shades and darkness dwells,

Hid in th' unwholesome covert of the night,
They shun th' approaches of the cheerful light.
The Sun ne'er visits their obscure retreats,

Nor when he runs his course, nor when he sets."

NORTH AND SOUTH SHIELDS,--NORTHUMBERLAND, AND DURHAM.

North Shields, Northumberland, forming the principal feature in the illustrative view, is a place of considerable antiquity, standing on the north bank of the river Tyne.