Thirlmere Lake.

ancient family heritage , the Dale Head estate having been bought for the comparatively moderate sum—manorial rights and all—for a little over £ 33 , 000 . We are glad to see that the wild birds are taken under the protection of the Corporation . Robbing the nests of these birds was reported to the authorities , and Sir Joseph Heron issued a notice that legal steps would be taken against any future depredations of that kind . Speaking of Sir

Joseph " Heron " reminds me of a circumstance which took place thirty years ago , when the Rev . James Bush occupied Dalehead Hall . Mr . Bush had the sole right to have a boat on the Lake and to fish thereon . His sons followed angling , but the good old clergyman never did . One day a bird was seen fly ing round a tree high above it , but never getting away . One of the younggentlemen went to the spotanclon climbing the treefound that a heron

, , , from Rydal Lake had been fishing on Thirlmere , and taken a perch which was a bait for pike , with a line and wooden float attached , and getting hooked , flew away in the direction of its own Heronry . In passing the tree , the float and line caught in its branches . Master John Bush drew the bird to him , unhooked it , and let it go back to its brood on R ydal Lake . It is argued that , when the great work is accomplished , and a new road

runs along the top of the dam passing round the western shore , that those who witness it will be deli ghted with the scene . Undoubtedly , Great Howe and Raven Crag , with Helvellyn and distant Blencathra , will still be in view , but the beautiful shore , with its indentations and promontories , will be gone . Those who never saw Thirlmere in its pristine beauty will no doubt rejoice in a scene still having much remaining grandeur ; but those who know it as it

now is , will be like the patriotic Israelites , who wept for the glory which had departed when the second temple was supplied the place of the former . It is to be hoped that the Manchester Corporation will throw open the navigation of the Lake to all comers , and that boating and fishing will alike become free under the rule of that omnipotent Free Trade Corporation . This will be some compensation to both natives and tourists which will be highly appreciated , and I believe it was one of the things promised by the ori ginator to the people , to further the project and disarm opposition .

The Twenty-Four Inch Gauge.

THE TWENTY-FOUR INCH GAUGE .

From an Unpublished Volume of Masonic Sonnets , BY BRO . GEORGE MARKHAM TWEDDELL . OUR ancient Brothers , operatives true , Learnt well the use of that numeric gauge , Of four-and-twenty inches . Every page

Of history , all temples which we view Rais'd by their skilful fingers , prove they knew Full well the use of all Masonic tools : 0 ur admiration of them never cools , But still keeps warm and constant : but in lieu Of literal measures , speculative we

Apply them to our morals . Thus they may Remind us how to use the hours each day To bless us here and through eternity . Labour , rest , prayer , help to some poor Brother , All , each and every day , should follow one another . Bose Cottage , Stohesley .