The interior of the castle is fitted up with correspond-
ing taste and splendour. There is a plentiful use of
British oak, carved with Gothic ornaments, in the
furniture and wainscoting of the rooms.
The central tower, which is seen by the visiter
immediately on entering the castle, is supported by
massive clustered columns like those of a cathedral,
and the arches and columns in the upper part of the
tower are in the same rich and grand style. The
staircase passes round this tower ; it is of a solid
and costly construction, answering to the character of



LOWTHER CASTLE — POOLEY BRIDGE. 197

the whole edifice. In a corridor at the top of the
staircase are several fine pictures by Guercino, Guido,
Titian, and Tintoretto, and there are a few other good
pictures in an adjoining room. After having gone
over the castle, we went with the gardener into the
gardens and on to the terrace which overlooks the
valley of the Lowther. Every thing is laid out on a
scale becoming the grounds of a palace, and the pines
and cedars have attained a truly aristocratic elevation.
It was with reluctance we quitted this splendid
abode. We crossed the river Lowther, which runs
through a most picturesque valley, and, after passing
for four miles through narrow and winding lanes, we
came to Pooley-bridge, where we took up our abode
for the night at a small but comfortable inn.
CHAPTER XVI.
ULLSWATER POOLEY BRIDGE — DUNMALLET SAIL UP THE

LAKE SWARTH-FELL HALLEN - FELL HALLSTE ADS GOW-

BARROW PARKS AIREY FORCE— STYBARROW CRAG UPPER

REACH OF THE LAKE PATTERDALE SUBLIME SCENERY

PATTERDALE HALL ECHOES ON DISCHARGE OF A CANNON.
