Bowness is a picturesque village placed on the banks of Windermere, and contains an ancient church, with square tower, dedicated to St. Martin.  In the churchyard are deposited the remains of the celebrated Bishop Watson, author of “The Apology for the Bible,” he having resided at Calgarth Park, in the neighbourhood, for several years.  In the vicinity are the residences of Professor Wilson (Elleray), the Earl of Bradford (St. Catherine’s), and the Rev. Thomas Staniforth (Storrs Hall, formerly the residence of Colonel Bolton, of Liverpool, the intimate friend of the late Mr. Canning).  From the school-house, which stands on an eminence, delightful views of Windermere, and other parts of the district, are seen to great advantage, Belle Isle, on the lake, appearing to be part of the mainland.  This island is more than a mile in circumference, and comprises about thirty acres.  We may add, that Storrs Hall, whilst occupied by Colonel Bolton, was frequently the retreat of many “choice spirits,” Canning, Wordsworth, Southey, and Wilson, of the number.  Mr. Bolton was a princely merchant of Liverpool, and Colonel of a Volunteer Regiment whilst England was in dread of French invasion.  He was one of Mr. Canning’s warmest political friends, and always took an active part in the electioneering contests for Liverpool in which Canning was engaged.  Lockhart, referring to one of these “gatherings,” says:—­“A large company had been assembled at Mr. Bolton’s seat in honour of the minister; it included Mr. Wordsworth and Mr. Southey.  There was high discourse, intermingled with as gay flashings of courtly wit as ever Canning displayed.  There were beautiful and accomplished women to adorn and enjoy this circle.  The weather was as Elysian as the scenery.  There were brilliant cavalcades through the woods in the mornings, and delicious boatings on the lake by moonlight; and the last day Professor Wilson (’the Admiral of the Lake,’ as Canning called him) presided over one of the most splendid regattas that ever enlivened Windermere.  The three bards of the lakes led the cheers that hailed Scott and Canning.”  Looking back on that bright scene, of which nothing now remains but a melancholy remembrance, Wilson remarks, “Windermere glittered with all her sails in honour of the Great Northern Minstrel, and of him the Eloquent, whose lips are now mute in dust.  Methinks we see his smile benign—­that we hear his voice—­silver sweet.”

* * * * *

Windermere has been termed, not inaptly, the English Zurich.  Before its diversified beauties were “married to immortal verse,” it was the favourite resort of thousands who admired external nature.  But the “Lake Poets,” as Wordsworth, Southey, Coleridge and others were once derisively termed, have linked the Lake District with the language of the nation.  Windermere Lake is eleven miles in length, and one mile in breadth.  Numerous islands diversify its surface, one of which (Belle Isle) we have already referred to.  Its depth in some parts is about 240 feet.  “The prevailing character of the scenery around Windermere is soft and graceful beauty.  It shrinks from approaching that wildness and sublimity which characterise some of the other lakes.”  It abounds with fish, especially char (salmo alpinus), one of the epicurean dainties.