At the base of hills, rising rugged, abrupt, and blue, to a great height, lies a smooth quit lake, on the bosom of which the sun throws the outline of the neighboring hills, and the shadows of a group of men and woman, who are enjoying the secluded beauty of the scene, or preparing a bathe. On the other side two figures are seated on the ground, one old, the other young, and their image is expressed in the two trees behind them- one green and luxuriant, the other faded, decayed, and broken. The ruins of a castle intimate that the vale was once permanently peopled, while the presence of travelers in the distance marks it a s an object of curiosity.