DINSDALE SPA,-DURHAM. Dinsdale is a small village lying in a deep retired situation, at the distance of five miles south-east by east of Darlington. This, and the adjacent village of Middleton-oneRow, are visited in the summer season by crowds of invalids, who repair thither to enjoy the medicinal virtues of the famed sulphureous spring called the Dinsdale Spa. These healing waters were discovered on Lord Durham's estate in 1789, by some workmen employed in searching for coal. One of the labourers, who for many years had suffered from severe rheumatic affections, was perfectly cured by drinking the spa-water and using the bath. From this time till 1797 it was much resorted to; but principally by the neighbouring villagers, for whose use a bath was constructed. Every succeeding year, however, brought an increase of visiters; and it was found necessary to erect a suite of hot and cold baths for their accommodation. An hotel, containing twenty apartments, built on an eminence in the immediate vicinity of the spring, commands a beautiful and extensive prospect of the surrounding country. The spa is nearly enclosed by a noble plantation extending about one mile westward, and intersected with shady walks. The virtues of the Dinsdale waters are efficacious principally in the removal of scorbutic affections. By an analysis of the gaseous fluids, this spa is found to contain a mixture of sulphurated hydrogen, carbonic acid, and azote; and the combination of solid matter includes muriate of lime, soda, and magnesia, with carbonate and sulphate of lime. Dinsdale is not now, however, to be considered the resort of invalids only; of many it certainly may be said, But to a great portion of the visiters, change of scene and delightful converse are the principal objects of attraction. LOWTHER CASTLE AND PARK,-WESTMORLAND. The south front of Lowther Castle has already been introduced into this work. (See page 38.) The north front (exhibited in the present engraving) is entirely different both in the character of its architecture, and the nature of its scenic accompaniments. The south is a solemn close scene: a beautiful but diminishing lawn soon terminates among the loftiest trees; the objects of the eye are bounded, and the imagination is left to wander among the recesses of the forest. The prospects from the north front are considerably more extensive, and are seen from a terrace of ninety feet in breadth, and about four times T as much in length. The eye first descends on a lovely and spacious park, rich with trees of the finest growth. This park is surrounded by a vast wood, over which, in the distance, is seen Penrith Beacon. The chief approach to the castle is from the north, where its numerous towers of different elevation are seen rising in beautiful proportion; the whole assuming a massy appearance, of great magnificence. This front is four hundred and twenty feet in length, and is executed in the rich and massive style of architecture which prevailed in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Its numerous towers, different in shape and elevation, are crested with battlements, and pierced with slit windows; and the fresh colour of the stone gives an amazing richness to all these harmonious masses of architecture. A lofty embattled wall surrounds the court of the castle, which is entered by an arched gateway. The central tower is seen by the visiter immediately on entering the castle, and is supported by massive clustered columns. The grand staircase, winding round this tower, is of a solid and costly construction, harmonizing well with the character of the whole edifice. In a corridor at the top of the staircase are several fine pictures by Guercino, Guido, Titian, and Tintoretto. HAWES WATER, FROM THWAITE FORCE,—WESTMORLAND. The lake of Hawes Water is seldom visited by tourists; though the solemn grandeur of its rocks and mountains renders it eminently picturesque. The comparative neglect in which it has been left, may perhaps in a good measure be attributed to the local habits of the guides, who are not accustomed to include it in "the excursions." This lake does not exceed three miles in length, and varies in width from half a mile to a quarter. On the western side, near the village of Measand, it is divided by a promontory; and thus consists of two sheets of water, joined by a narrow strait. The second expanse of the lake (the subject of our Illustration) discloses a scenery more varied and sublime than that of the northern extremity. The south side presents a noble ridge of mountains, very bold and prominent down to the water-edge, bulging out in the centre of a fine broad head, venerably magnificent; and the view of the first expanse, losing itself in the second among hills, rocks, and woods, is beautifully picturesque. The perspective of the second sheet of water appears from a distance to be terminated by the huge mountain called Castle Crag; but as you advance, Harter Fell rears his awful front, impending over the water, and confines the scene. Here, amidst rocks, and at the entrance of a glen almost choked by fragments from the heights, stands the chapel of Mardale. The illustrative view is taken from the side of a mountain, whence issues the waterfall of Thwaite-Force. At the foot of this hill stands the village of Measand; and close at hand is the woody promontory which divides the lake. The wood-covered hill on the left, projecting into the water, is Wallow Crag, concerning which there is a singular legend: "The vulgar believe that the spirit of Sir James Lowther, a gentleman who rendered to a quas 13 montory; and thus consists of two expanse of the lake (the subject of our Illust. i |