"The garrison at last capitulated; and the entertainment of the water being finished, towards the evening the company rowed to Keswick, to which place, from the water's edge, a range of lamps was fixed, very happily disposed, and a number of fire-works played off. An assembly room, which was built for the purpose, next received the ladies and gentlemen, and a dance concluded this annual festivity. "Whilst we sat to regale, the barge put off from shore, to a station where the finest echoes were to be obtained from the surrounding mountains. The vessel was provided with six brass cannon, mounted on swivels; on discharging one of these pieces the report was echoed from the opposite rocks, where, by reverberation, it seemed to roll from cliff to cliff, and return through every cave and valley, till the decreasing tumult died away upon the ear. "The instant it ceased the sound of every distant waterfall was heard; but for an instant only; for the momentary stillness was interrupted by the returning echo on the hills behind; where the report was repeated like a peal of thunder bursting over our heads, continuing for several seconds, flying from haunt to haunt, till once more the sound gradually declined. Again the voice of waterfalls possessed the interval, till to the right the more distant thunders arose upon some other mountains, and seemed to take its way up every winding dale and creek; sometimes behind, on this side, or on that, in wondrous speed running its dreadful course; when the echo reached the mountains within the line and channel of the breeze, it was heard at once on the right and left at the extremities of the lake. In this manner was the report of every discharge re-echoed seven times distinctly." The following descriptive poem appeared on the occasion of a regatta at Keswick:-- "Scarcely had day's bright god begun his course, And chas'd the misty vapours from the lake, When, ardent all for pleasure, forth there sprung A bright assemblage of firm, active youths, And virgins blushing like the op'ning bud. Nay, some there were who sought the sportive scene Whom frozen age had bow'd with iron hand; Drawn by the force of curiosity, Or by the workings of parental care, To watch and guard their blooming daughter's steps. The neigh'bouring rustics, too, with massy limbs, Inur'd to toil, inur'd to fun and rain; Each led his fav'rite damsel to the sight, And talk'd of love, or laugh'd with hearty roar.