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Page 296:-
[in]viting in its aspect, but suited to the serenity of the spot,
which is calculated to inspire sentiments at once sublime and
chearful.
The langauge of poetry never applied 'The clear mirror of the
flood,' with a propriety greater than that with which, on many
accounts, a description of this lake might adopt it: the extent
of the water is particularly calculated with the height of the
adjoining mountain, to produce the most astonishing reflection
from its surface; and the situation of the neighbouring mountains
occasions such frequent changes of atmosphere in the course of
the summer's day (and at no other season, it is presumed, are
these parts visited by strangers) that the tourist will hardly be
disappointed of viewing the picture in all its great variety of
light and shade.
The following lines are an impromptu, written by a gentleman in
the year 1788, who has since distinguished himself by his
ingenuity, and at present enjoys no inconsiderable rank as an
artist; we might be justified in saying he now possesses a very
honourable niche in the modern temple of pictorial fame - in
Somerset-house.
Here let the youth who pants for honest fame,
By real genius led, whose classic taste
Delights to copy Nature, here employ
His pencil, and by boldest stretch of art,
Snatch all the transient colours of the lake,
That wildly on its surface mingling play.
And let the rapture that with speed pursues
The flying spectacle of light and shade
(And, instant, strikes the canvas with their tint)
Direct the eye, and guide the rapid hand,
Quick! as the chasing clouds and glancing light
Reflect their image on the glassy plain.
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