The sap being more drawn to the south side by the action of the sun, causes the rings on that side to swell more; and this operation of nature has been observed by nature's children, and employed by them as a sure guide in their long wanderings through the pathless forests where they find a home.

If the farm-house where Wordsworth spent the evening before this memorable morning walk was either at Elterwater or High Arnside, and the homeward pathway led across the ridge of Ironkeld, either by the old mountain road (now almost disused), or over the pathless fells, there are two points from either of which the sea might be seen in the distance.

Mr. Addison, in his characters of the English Poets, addressed to Mr. Sacheverel, thus speaks of Spenser: Old Spenser next, warm'd with poetic rage, In ancient tales amus'd a barb'rous age; An age, that yet uncultivate and rude, Where-e'er the poet's fancy led, pursued Thro' pathless fields, and unfrequented floods, To dens of dragons, and enchanted woods.

While the war-whoop of the savage still echoed within the surrounding valleys and his council fires blazed upon the hills, those daring adventurers penetrated the hitherto pathless wilderness and passed through unexampled hardships with heroic endurance.