"The

The Lower Fall (of which a beautiful and correct representation appears in the Engraving) is an object of intense interest to every lover of the picturesque. approach to it is through a narrow glen, till you come to a little thatched summerhouse, standing on the banks of the Rothay, and which, from the date upon one of the window-shutters, would seem to have been erected in the year 1617. On entering the room of the summer-house, the view of the cascade bursts at once upon the eye. The suddenness and velocity of the impressions which the mind receives, defy every attempt to describe the effect produced on the spectator. The momentary effect is electrical. The noise of the torrent, and the dark shade of the overhanging and surrounding trees, form a scene which inspires a variety of pleasing yet melancholy sensations." Mr. Gilpin, one of our most distinguished topographers, observes, with reference to this cascade, that, "though a miniature only, it is so beautiful, both in itself and its accompaniments, as to deserve a particular notice. The water falls within a few yards of the eye, which, being rather above its level, has a long perspective view of the stream, as it hurries from the higher grounds, tumbling in various little breaks through its rocky channels, darkened with thicket, till it arrives at the edge of the precipice, before the window, whence it rushes into the basin, which is formed by nature in the native rock." Another writer remarks—“ Nature has here performed every thing in little, that she usually executes on a larger scale; and on that account, like a miniature painter, she seems to have finished every part of it in a studied manner. Not a little fragment of rock thrown into the basin, not a single stem of brushwood that starts from its craggy sides, but has a picturesque meaning, and the little central current, dashing down a cleft of the darkest coloured stone, produces an effect of light and shadow beautiful beyond description. This little theatrical scene might be painted as large as the original, on a canvass not bigger than those usually dropped in the Opera House."

After the glowing descriptions we have quoted, it can scarcely be necessary to dwell longer on this unique and singularly interesting cascade. Nature, in her happiest mood, produced this scene

and we would ask, who

"In lofty minds to nourish high romance;"

"if master of a vacant hour,

Here would not linger, willingly detained."

UNDERLAY HALL,-WESTMORLAND.

Underlay Hall, the princely residence of Alexander Nowell, Esq., is situated in an extensive park, about half a mile northward of the town of Kirby Lonsdale.

This structure is of very recent date, and is built of the finest stone, principally in the old English style of Gothic architecture, that prevailed in the reign of James I., but with a rich and massive Grecian portico. Objection has been taken to the site of this edifice, as

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not commanding those extensive and delightful prospects, which other and neighbouring situations afford. However this may be, the view which is here given of it can scarcely fail to raise a longing in the mind of the spectator, that this splendid fabric, with its magnificent lawn and gardens, were his "allotted home." "Shrined in its own delicious seclusion," Underlay Hall resembles the palace of the Happy Valley, where the Abyssinian princes reside during their minority, and to which they would willingly retire again, after brief experience of the world's tumult, and the ceaseless anxieties which gather round a throne.

The artist has thrown a broad and vivid light upon the building, giving distinctness to that minute and decorative finish, the prevailing characteristic of the style in which it is executed. Over the lawn and gardens

"Behold, the shades of afternoon have fallen"-

and the massive shadow affords a decisive and pleasing contrast to the brilliancy and lustre which invest the mansion.

LOWTHER CASTLE,-WESTMORLAND.

This majestic structure, the magnificent residence of the Earl of Lonsdale, stands in an extensive park, comprising six hundred acres of land, four miles and a half south of Penrith, on the east side of Lowther vale. The site of this mansion had attracted the notice of Lord Macartney, who, whilst describing a beautiful and romantic scene in China, observed, that "it reminded him of Lowther in Westmorland, which, from the extent of prospect, the grand surrounding objects, the noble situation, the diversity of surface, the extensive woods, and command of water, might be rendered, by a man of sense, spirit, and taste, the finest scene in the British dominions." Whether his Lordship's opinion influenced the Earl of Lonsdale in his undertaking, we are not able to say; but certain it is, that this nobleman, by the erection of the present Castle, and by a tasteful and judicious arrangement of the grounds in its vicinage, has nearly, if not entirely, realized the suggested scene.

The Lowther family is of great antiquity. The names of William and Thomas de Lowther are subscribed as witnesses to a deed executed in the reign of Henry II.; there can, however, be little doubt that they were located here previously to the Conquest, as their name is evidently derived from the Lowther river, which in the ancient British language is Gled-dwr, signifying a limpid stream. In the reign of Elizabeth, Sir Richard Lowther, Knt., was appointed Lord Warden of the West Marches, and had the custody of Carlisle Castle, and of the unfortunate Mary, Queen of Scotland. In addition to the manor of Lowther, this house is now possessed of many other extensive demesnes, formerly belonging to the ancient families of Westmorland and Cumberland.

Lowther Castle, the erection of which was begun in 1802, occupies the site of the old hall, which was nearly destroyed by fire so far back as the year 1720. This noble