DERWENTWATER PRESERVATION. [To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR. "]
SIR,—I have just revisited Grasmere after an interval of many years, and as you published in the Spectator of August 17th a letter on Derwen.twater Preservation," I am tempted to draw your attention to a frightful peril which threatens Grasmere. The whole of the wild, forest-covered bank which lies between the ' Prince of Wales ' Hotel and the head of the lake is for sale in small plots, and already a hideous lodging-house (hideous, I mean, in such a spot) has been erected in the very centre. Lovers of Wordsworth and De Quineey will not need to be reminded how dear to both was this most exquisite corner, which inspired some of the most glorious verse in our language. Indeed, in its proximity to Dove Cottage it may, in no fanciful sense, be pronounced holy ground, and any one who knows Grasmere will at once realise how entirely the carrying out of such a Vandal scheme will destroy the beauty of what is (and I speak with intimate knowledge of Switzerland, Italy, and New Zealand) one of the loveliest lakes in the whole world.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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