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Cornell University Library 
 
 PR4821.J5H5 
 
 Herefordia, a poem.By James Henry James 
 
 3 1924 013 488 162 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013488162 
 

 mh.. 
 
 THE ACCEPTANCE, 
 
 QUEEN VICTORIA, 
 
 OF THIS VOLUME, 
 
 ILLTJSTK ATIWG A P I C T IT B E S Q, TJ E 
 
 ENGLISH COUNTY, 
 
 IS HUMBLY SOLICITED 
 
 |l), |)cr llajcstu's |aitljful Subject, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 
WYE BRIDGE, HKREFUKT). 
 
 "Nor distant far, the stout Old Bridge appears, 
 Withstanding flood and storm three hundred years. 
 Its arches, rough, yet sturdy all now seem ; 
 And jealous of the piers high up the stream, 
 Would to the rival fabric silly say— 
 ' We shall be strong, when you are in decay.'" 
 
 Canto II. 
 
HEREFORDIA 
 
 JAMES HENRY J_AMES, 
 
 Anddk Temple. 
 
 LONDON. 
 EDWARD LACEY, 434, WEST STRAND. 
 
 ?. 
 
7'-/- 4 
 
 LON DON : 
 
 WEnTHEIMER AND CO., PBINTERS, 
 
 CIRCUS PLACE, riN«BURY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Herefordshire, by its historical associations, its beautiful scenery, 
 so delightfully intercepted by the picturesque and winding river, the 
 Wye, at all times claims the admiration of travellers. 
 
 The highly cultivated soil, rich with orchards, hop-yards, and 
 cattle, adds greatly to its importance as an agricultural district. 
 These natural advantages, united with the truly hospitable character 
 of its inhabitants, render it a most agreeable place of sojourn to 
 strangers, who cannot fail to be interested in rural scenery, and in 
 the pleasant and peaceful occupation of the resident population. 
 
 Whilst the County thus enjoys an unrivalled position amongst the 
 other districts of the ancient Siluria, and indeed amongst the most 
 favoured parts of all England, the many eminent persons (either 
 natives, or closely aUied with it), who are and have been identified 
 with literature, science, art, and with her ecclesiastical institutions, 
 make it not unworthy of commemoration in a special form. 
 
 The Author has attempted this pleasing yet not easy task ; but 
 the spirit which has prompted him will, he trusts, cause the many 
 defects, too palpable in the working up of its varied subjects, to 
 be considerately overlooked. 
 
vi PREFACE, 
 
 The difficulties inherent to poetic composition, when applied to 
 objects which embrace not only scenes in Nature, but also historical 
 facts, local allusions, names and dates, will be readily app^reciated 
 by the reader. These, it is hoped, may be taken as an apology 
 for the apparent want of connection between, and the somewhat 
 awkward blending of, the matters consecutively discussed in tlie 
 Cantos which compose the Poem, of which the Author now ven- 
 tures the publication. But he cannot do so without tendering 
 his best acknowledgements to his valued friend, the Rev. Albert 
 Jones, W.A., Minor Canon of the Cathedral, for his kind assistance 
 in procuring for him several of the drawings for the Historical 
 Illustrations, as well as the Notes relating to them. 
 
 Whilst adhering to the Histor)- of Hereford, as the leading thread 
 of the Poem, the aim has been throughout, to render it accept- 
 able to general as well as local readers, by the introduction of 
 subjects associated with rural life, and also by relieving the heroic 
 metre (in which the principal portion of the text is written), by the 
 occasional adojjtion of lyrical measures. 
 
 The Author must not omit to express to Mr. Freudemacher, Arti,st, 
 and Messrs. Wertheimer, Printers, his approval of the \er)' able man- 
 ner in which they ha\e seconded his efforts in the Illustrations 
 and Typography of the A'olume, to make it not unworth)- of his 
 native county. 
 
 MzniiT 1. Tkmi'M , Jan. \^tli, iRrti. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Dedication 
 
 Introductory Stanzas 
 
 Canto I. 
 
 Canto II. 
 
 Canto III. 
 
 Canto IV. 
 
 Canto V. . 
 
 Canto VI. 
 
 Notes to the Poe)ii 
 
 Notes to the IIIustration.s 
 
 24 
 44 
 65 
 «.i 
 lOI 
 121 
 
 LANDSCAPE ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Wye Bridge, Hereford . Frontispiece. 
 
 The Castle Green . . 14 
 
 Cathedral and Lady Chapel . ... 36 
 
 The Preaching Cross, Blackfriars . 46 
 
 The White Cross . 72 
 
 The River Wye, from the Prospect at Ross 8S 
 
 Goodrich Court, and Goodrich Castle 108 
 
 Town Hall, Hereford . 121 
 
 Tintern Abbey . i.^o 
 Ludlow Castle .... ..... 15S 
 
 ARMORIAL BEARINGS, RELICS, &c. 
 
 St. Ethelbert's Shrine, or Pyx ... . Title Page. 
 
 Arms of the City of Hereford ... 3 
 
 Arms of the Bishopric, prior to the time of Cantilupe . . 7 
 
 Arms of the Bishopric, since Cantilupe ... 23 
 
 Arms of the Deanery .... 43 
 
 Seal of the College of Vicars Choral ... .65 
 
 The Crosier of Bishop Trelleck, ancTBuU of Pope Clement \'I. . 85 
 
 The Brass Statuette at the College . . . loi 
 
 Arms of the Author . 152 
 
Familiar with the scenes my youth had known, 
 
 Thou mad'st my thoughts and feehngs all thine own ! 
 
 Thee, whom to know was but to see and love ; 
 
 Thee, whom to love was but a joy to prove. 
 
 That joy none holds, save He, who now doth bless 
 
 His humble creature with such happiness ; 
 
 The happiness which warms a husband's heart. 
 
 The sympathy which prompts a parent's part : 
 
 And next to thee and thine, my former home 
 
 (The which to picture in this modest tome 
 
 My pen hath tried) commands a child's sweet care, 
 
 Leaving many a sweet remembrance there ! 
 
 This then accept, a token of my love, 
 
 A poor thank-offering to the Power above. 
 
 Who so far on our earthly pilgrimage. 
 
 For us, hath deign'd His mercies to engage ! 
 
SiLURiA, our fathers' cherish'd home, 
 Where fought invincible, through wounds and death, 
 Britannia's hardy sons, defying Rome, 
 Her galhng chains, and slavery's hated breath ! 
 Land of the brave, where drawn from ancient sheath, 
 The sword of freedom met a hostile world, 
 Her bands all led Caradoc's arm beneath, 
 Nor vainly strove, where'er his flag unfurl' d, 
 And shedding life for hfe, he back th' invader hurl'd. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Herefordia, favour'd part of that blest land, 
 We and our children hold through years of peace ; 
 Abode of industry, where Nature's lavish hand 
 Doth give to labour hundred-fold increase : 
 The region, too, where now in joy and ease. 
 Religion bids us use the treasures given. 
 As trusts for those, whose wants we should appease, 
 The poor and meek; who oft by trouble driven, 
 May lack the things of earth, but not the wealth of heaven ! 
 
 Rashly, in vain, with feeble hand and lyre. 
 Untuned to strains befitting such sweet theme. 
 To sing thy beauties doth my muse aspire, 
 A task most grateful, though it unwise seem. 
 Fruitless as ends the sage's frequent dream. 
 Yet as a parent eyes a much loved child. 
 Hiding a fault in virtue's brighter beam, 
 Thou must regard the poet's venture wild, 
 Praising the thought, e'en if his work doth prove unskiU'd ! 
 
■'M> 
 
SI IJJECT. 
 
 Contemplation. — Morning on the Plinlimmon Mountains. — 
 Source of tlie River \V)l', its Descent to Rhayader, its Course 
 by Penybont, CJlasbury, Hay, Chfford and Wliitney, into the 
 County of Hereford. — And liy way of Clifford, Hereford, 
 Goodrich, Tintern, and Chepstow, to join the River Severn. — 
 The peaceful Condition of the Country and its pleasant Mllaycs 
 and Churches. — Allusions to ( )\\'en Glendwr and Henry V. — 
 The City of Hereford, the Old Castle, and its defence against 
 the Parliamentary Troi.tij^ in the Time of Charles I. — The Castle- 
 Green, River, Bridge, Dinedor Hill. — A Summer Storm as 
 seen from Dinedor. — The MuLalnlity of Worldly Grandeur. — 
 Allusion to the pi'evailing Spirit to restore and sustain our 
 Ancient Temple.s devoted to Di\ine Worship. — The joyous 
 Character of Rural Life. — The S|ir)rtsman's Song. 
 
"SJ > I 
 
 
 'mi 
 
 Hail, Herefordia ! clothed with hill and plain, 
 Where grateful peace, and smiling plenty reign 
 A paradise, where clustering orchards bloom. 
 And pear and apple blush with soft perfume. 
 Garden of flowers ! where hop on slender bine 
 And damask rose with honeysuckle twine. 
 Land of beauty ! where garner'd riches crown 
 The labour of man's hand with fruit its own. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Hail, Herefordia ! Freedom's charm'd retreat, 
 Where mind and mind in kind communion meet, 
 All free to think and act, aloud express 
 That which but makes a Briton's happiness. 
 Personal independence ; this, to move 
 Here none would rashly try, below, above : 
 Not the least fair of England's fair domain. 
 Where Ceres triumphs with her golden train ! 
 
 Hail, Herefordia ! damsel coy and bright. 
 With cheek of roses, eye of piercing light. 
 Thee, modest, joyous, e'en the wanderer loves 
 To greet in cottage, hall, or sylvan groves. 
 Gen'rous of heart, sedate in form and face, 
 There shine alike thy kindhness and grace, 
 Apt with sweet words, whose truth and eloquence 
 Bespeak thy candour, purity, and sense. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Hail, Herefordia, hail ! The welcome warm 
 
 Thou bid'st thy children, and the matchless charm. 
 
 Which Nature to thy landscape doth impart, 
 
 Delight the eye, felicitate the heart. 
 
 The aids thou giv'st to impotence and age. 
 
 The charities thy liberal hand engage, 
 
 Mark the best feelings of humanity, 
 
 The founts of holy love that never die. 
 
 V. 
 
 Lo ! Morning dawns ; bright o'er the arc are traced 
 Faint streaks of crimson from the opening East. 
 Then, hie Thee, rambler, where, all robed in snow, 
 Plinlimmon's rugged heights resplendent glow ; 
 There, view for once, athwart the mountain plain. 
 The rising sun illume the pathless main. 
 Piercing with glittering beams the cold grey sky. 
 Ere first his face doth greet thy straining eye. 
 Chill'd though thy blood be in its purple vein. 
 Perception touch, but slow, the sentient brain, 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Sublime and fair shall grow the wondrous scene, 
 
 AA'arm wax thy heart, pleased be thy smiling mien. 
 
 As Night retires before the God of Day, 
 
 The 1^'aning mist assumes its upward way. 
 
 The light, on Morning's spangled front unfurl'd, 
 
 Gives life and language to the waking world : 
 
 The tongues, all mute through Darkness' dreary hour, 
 
 Now celebrate Jehovah's love and power ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 In deep defile, beneath the granite cone. 
 Where sits the eagle in its eyry throne. 
 There may you trace a small yet limpid spring. 
 By pebbles chafed, o'er pebbles murmuring ; 
 The fount whence Vaga, like a serpent's trail. 
 Draws her quiet course through Siluria's Vale : 
 A brooklet, here, its shallow bed descends ; 
 A river, there, with broader current bends. 
 Here shelving rocks, with lichens overgrown, 
 Form shady haunts where salmon sport alone ; 
 There, sloping margins, warm'd by sunny beam. 
 Entice the trout to gambol in the stream. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Threading their stony way, all rough and steep, 
 The widening streams in ample volume sweep, 
 And thundering down the rugged precipice. 
 Where caldron-like the seething eddies hiss. 
 The currents mingle in the plain below. 
 Beneath the bridge at Rhayader now flow. 
 Then passing close by Penybont and Builth, 
 Through scenes of rustic toil and buoyant health ; 
 Skimming the fertile vale of Glasbury, 
 The river glides Hay-Church, and Castle nigh, 
 Touching the fruitful soil of Hereford, 
 Where Whitney-meadows stretch their velvet sward. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Silent, and clear, fair Vaga flows along 
 Through groves enliven'd by the skylark's song ; 
 In fi-equent groups, kine fill the open glade, 
 Sipping the liquid glass in cooling shade. 
 Here fleecy flocks, like stars in th' azure sky. 
 The meadows stud, delightful to the eye, 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Where tiny daisies rear their crownlets sweet, 
 So tempting e'er to children's rambhng feet ! 
 
 IX. 
 
 Through shocks of ages past, of war and storm, 
 
 Unchanged and fresh, yet smiles loved Nature's form 
 
 The hill, the dale, the boundless sea and sky. 
 
 The rivulet and rock, still catch the eye. 
 
 Nor should we feel the wasting hand of Time, 
 
 Did not pale Ruin, in her face sublime. 
 
 The once staunch oak, the tower, and fane assail. 
 
 Leaving but crumbling stones to tell the tale, 
 
 How work of human skill must share the doom. 
 
 Which yields its maker to the lowly tomb. 
 
 So droops De Clifford's strong-hold bleak and bare, 
 
 (The childhood's home of Rosamond the Fair.) 
 
 With Goodrich walls, old Chepstow's frowning keep. 
 
 And Tintern's shrine ; 'neath which, in noiseless sweep, 
 
 See, Vaga hastes to kiss Sabrina's wave, 
 
 Fringing with flowers the bank her waters lave. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 13 
 
 X. 
 
 All fickle as the wind, that turns aside 
 
 At morn, at night, at noon, and evening tide. 
 
 Are human thoughts. So, e'en the weaker part, 
 
 Which holds the female's soft, and loving heart, 
 
 In waywardness and change doth come behind 
 
 The rougher sex, the master of mankind, — 
 
 Who e'er would woman's gentler mind control 
 
 With bonds, which bears not his maturer soul. 
 
 Now cold and sullen, hot and jealous, he 
 
 Doth exercise relentless tyranny : — 
 
 Yet, doubly cruel still, is womankind. 
 
 Who, in a sister's ways doth error find, 
 
 (Denying sympathy for faults her own). 
 
 If accident doth make the lost one known. 
 
 So Rosa fell, and paid the penalty 
 
 Devised by Ellen's cruel jealousy ; 
 
 Yet who but mourns the hapless maiden's fate, 
 
 Who doth not loathe her rival's murderous hate ? 
 
14 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Peace triumphs here, where War once had its sway, 
 
 Briton and Saxon mix'd in bloody fray : 
 
 Corn-fields and Gardens rich with apple-bloom. 
 
 And Hop-yards redolent with soft perfume, 
 
 And smiling Hamlets with their copse-wood hide. 
 
 The Village Church, its land-mark, and its pride : — 
 
 The Sacred Court, where praise, and prayer, and love. 
 
 On Sabbath-morn, address the Power above ; 
 
 The Font which seals the younglings of Christ's flock. 
 
 Our Saviour, King, our Hope's ne'er-failing rock ; 
 
 The Altar-stone where kindred hearts agree 
 
 To bear Life's toils, share its felicity ; 
 
 Our latest couch beneath the verdant sod. 
 
 Till call'd to taste the Paradise of God I 
 
 XII. 
 
 The restless spirits, once all fire and life. 
 Are dead and cold, have ceased their angry strife. 
 The princely Glendwr sleeps at Monnington, 
 In humble grave, the river's bank upon ; 
 
^¥-^^^^ 
 
 CASTLE-GREEN AND CATHEDRAL. 
 
 "To trace the growth of yon stupendous pile, 
 Its massive tower and well proportion'd aisle, 
 A thousand years ere Queen Victoria's reign 
 The Muse recalls." 
 
 Canto II. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 15 
 
 Henry of Agincourt is gone to earth, 
 
 Yet Monmouth stands, which gave the hero birth. 
 
 Old Hereford, fair city of the Wye, 
 
 Famed for its cyder and its loyalty. 
 
 Still holds her place amid the pleasant scene, 
 
 Where groves and varied landscapes intervene. 
 
 Reft is her castle, all her ramparts lost, 
 
 Which bade defiance to the Scottish host. 
 
 Preferring bloodshed, in Charles Stuart's cause. 
 
 Brave Scudamore upheld the crown and laws. 
 
 So, earn'd he then a victor's wreath and fame, 
 
 Link'd ever with the City's spotless name. 
 
 The fortress gone, yet on its former site 
 
 The Green remains, to all affords delight ; 
 
 Its slopes, its trees, its beauty ever fill 
 
 (With river, bridge, and Dinedor's wood-clad hill), 
 
 The gazer's eye with pleasure seldom known, 
 
 Save, Art and Nature make the work their own ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Now looking down from Dinedor's camp and hill. 
 Where late, the view was all serene and still, 
 
i6 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Dun clouds appear upon the changing sky, 
 Surcharged with Jove's august artillery. 
 Hot grows the air, a tremor strikes the earth, 
 The darkness looms, such at volcano's birth 
 Appals the mind, ere pent-up fires escape, 
 And make the mountain-cone with fissures gape. 
 Now loud, and louder, distant thunders speak, 
 From murky clouds the rain-drops melting break ; 
 Then flash on flash, and peal on peal succeed. 
 Sweeping th' horizon's line with giant-speed. 
 See, here and there, the forkfed lightning flies. 
 Through the blue vault, the rolling bolt replies. 
 Now lost and hid, each tower, each spire, recedes, 
 And, shorn with wind, trees quake hke trembling reeds. 
 Reckless and quick, as spoil'd and way^vard child,- 
 The tempest triumphs in its fury wild, 
 Till the broad sun, all conquering, full and brigkt, 
 Regilds both field and stream with living light. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 All worldly grandeur, wealth, and pomp, and power. 
 Are creatures of a day, a fleeting hour. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 17 
 
 That which belongs to finity and time, 
 Tainted by death, decay, perchance by crime, 
 Soon fades, and, wanting reproducing force. 
 Declines through Nature's perishable course ! 
 That which endures through immortality. 
 Must breathe of love, a holy sympathy. 
 Preserving all from sin's impending fate, 
 Leading to hfe, in life's most perfect state ! 
 So, pious hands from time to time restore 
 The sacred temples built in days of yore ; 
 The tapering spire, the huge expanded dome, 
 Where duty bids us seek our heavenly home. 
 Old and young, rich and poor, with pressing feet, 
 His grace to share, in God's high presence meet ; 
 As wave on wave, along the river flows, 
 Each race of worshippers but comes and goes ; 
 Now clear, now dim, then lost to human eye, 
 Swept in the ocean of eternity ! 
 
 XV. 
 
 A country-life is stirring, free, and gay, 
 Unlike the townsman toiling, day to day. 
 
i8 Hl'.REFORDIA. 
 
 None need be sad, if they but love the field, 
 A sportsman's life doth recreation yield. 
 Enjoyment, there, will Melancholy cure, 
 The best of pill to keep the doctor poor ; 
 Sa\ e now and then, a crack, a fall, or sprain, 
 Will cost some cash, and not a little pain ! 
 To learn to tumble is no sad mischance. 
 It mars the risk, and doth the fun enhance, 
 And he whose foot in stirrup oft doth get. 
 Ne'er fenrs a broken bone, a somerset ! 
 
 I. 
 Hurrah ! Hurrah ! The thrilling horn 
 Doth wake the portals of the morn, 
 
 And drives dull sleejj awa\. 
 Sec '. see ! once more, the golden sun 
 To streak the east hath just begun. 
 
 And hails the commg da}'. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 19 
 
 2. 
 
 " Up and astir ! " the sportsman cries, 
 And quick the downy couch he flies, — 
 
 To take th' exciting field. 
 Both horse and hound are on the move, 
 Whilst Reynard lurks in yonder grove, 
 
 By tangled brake conceal' d. 
 
 3- 
 
 Hark ! hark ! Again, at headlong pace, 
 The sky doth echo back the chase, 
 
 Each footstep, sliout, and breath ! 
 O'er hedge and ditch, at dawn of day, 
 See, gallant Reynard leads the way, 
 
 Heedless of all, save death. 
 
 4- 
 Hurrah ! hurrah ! With clattering heels. 
 And heavy tramp, the landscape reels, 
 
 As 'twere a whirlwind's birth ! 
 To die this morn he hath no mind 
 So Reynard leaves his foes behind. 
 
 And safely runs to earth ! 
 
SL'liJI'XT. 
 
 A Retrospect. — The Introductiun uf Chnstiaiiity into England. — ■ 
 Refiection.s upon that Lti^-jjensation. — Sketch of the lIisLuiy 'A 
 the Cathedral Cliurch of Ilerefoid. — t'vom the time uf the 
 Heptarchy (incUiding the Murder of King Ethelbert), to the 
 end of the Eighteenth Centur)'. — Eabric raised b)- Wilfred and 
 Athelstane. — And Additions by Bishops Lozing and Raynelm. — 
 Its Restoration under Deans Merewether and Dawes. — Story of 
 Ethelbert and Elfrida. — St. Cantilupe's Shrine, and Woiks of 
 Bishops Audle}', Booth, and Stanburw — The New ^Altar 
 Screen. — Allusion to the late Dean Mcrewcthcr, and the late 
 .Mr. Joseph l:.rili.\ . — The Cathedral and its central position 
 amongst the Parochial Churches of the (_'it)'. — The Aiicient 
 Monastery and Hospitals. — The .\ttractions afforded by the 
 l-'ields surrounding the City. ~ I'li^ L hild's S"Iil;. 
 
How oft, and pensively, in life's young day. 
 When summer sparkled in its silvery way, 
 Fair Nature wooed me, with her flowery sheen. 
 To rove o'er fields and thread the sylvan scene. 
 The mind thrown backward for a thousand years, 
 (Long interval of changes, joys, and tears) ; 
 When with infant step, half averted smile. 
 Civilisation scarce had touch'd this isle ; 
 Fearful to stay, till from the brighter, east, 
 Religion first her starry mission traced. 
 Dark was the land, and drear old England's shore. 
 When Saint Augustine and his compeers bore 
 
24 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The Cross of Christ, and His enlightening Word, 
 (By Saxons, simpled-minded people heard) ; 
 'I'he ra\- of hope, the pledge of heavenly love, 
 Which made man heir of endless bliss above I 
 
 II. 
 Love e'er be with thee, sainted ^'irgin mild, 
 Cirace be with thee, mother of Holy Child ; 
 Honour and praise to Jesus, (iod's own Son, 
 Our Saviour, King, and Lord, most Mighty One. 
 Glory to Jehovah, the (ireat, All-wise, 
 Maker of heaven, and earth, and sea, and skies. 
 Father of all, (iiver of life and light. 
 Ruler Supreme, All-powerful, Infinite ; 
 God of the LIniverse, Whose mercy hath 
 Saved us from death, eternal woe and wrath, 
 By one complete and lamb-like sacrifice. 
 Ransom, His goodness could alone devise ! 
 What marvel then that o'er the landscape rise, 
 The stately piles whose summits climb the skies : 
 Altars for praise and prayer, temples of love. 
 Where man (his soul and mind withdrawn above). 
 
hp:refordia. 25 
 
 To God e'er present on His kingly throne, 
 
 His wants, his cares, his inmost thoughts, makes known. 
 
 Oh praise ! Oh prayer ! rare privileges given. 
 
 That not a sigh escapes His ear in heaven ! 
 
 Based on a Rock, Messiah's church withstands 
 
 The wreck of age, and Satan's fiendish hands ; 
 
 Nor guile nor tumult can His truth efface, 
 
 Nor infidelity His star displace. 
 
 He hath declared, and who can dare gainsay, 
 
 " That His dread word shall never pass away ! " 
 
 Jesus, the once-rejected Corner-stone, 
 
 With hope, and joy. His saints will ever crown ; 
 
 To those who seek will point the ready way 
 
 That leads to life and never-ending day. 
 
 There, faith engrafted on the Holy Three, 
 
 Assures the yearning soul's felicity ! 
 
 m. 
 To trace the growth of yon stupendous pile. 
 Its massive tower and well proportioned aisle, 
 A thousand years ere Queen Victoria's reign, 
 The Muse recalls, when, high o'er South-Town's plain. 
 
HKRKFORDIA. 
 
 Stern (Jftj's palace reared its stately head, 
 
 A scene of treason base, — a tragic deed ! 
 
 Swept are its walls, its ancient gate, and fane. 
 
 Vet lurks there still foul murder's loathsome stain ; 
 
 For history tells how Mercia's monarch took 
 
 Counsel with Quendreda, and vilely broke 
 
 Hospitality's ties. He, b) her, led. 
 
 The blood of Royal Ethelbert then shed. 
 
 Who thither lured, claim'd for his queenly bride, 
 
 Their child Elfrida ; but so brideless died, 
 
 Leaving the hapless maiden sad, forlorn, 
 
 In (Jroyland's shade the Anglian Prince to mourn ! 
 
 But crime Uke this could ne'er unpunish'd be ; 
 
 His harrow'd soul, bent down with miser\', 
 
 From Marden Church tire slaughter'd king he brought. 
 
 And neath a tomb magnificently wrought. 
 
 Enshrined his bones within Saint Mar\''s aisle ; 
 
 With dners lands endow'd the sacred pile, 
 
 (ia^'e to the church the sainted sovereign's name, 
 
 \\'herein to worship pious pilgrims came. 
 
 The gifts, so made, the old l 'athedral shares, 
 
 Erected now, some full eighl hundred \ears. 
 
HEREFORD I A. 27 
 
 IV. 
 
 Within that space, lo ! Time hath done its worst, 
 Devouring fire, rapine, and war accurst ; 
 Wilfred's worli, that by Athelstane begun, 
 By Griffith, Prince of Wales, were soon undone, 
 Till Lozing, and Raynelm, with master-hand. 
 The fabric in its present outline plann'd ; 
 Save, that about a century ago. 
 The Western Tower was suddenly laid low. 
 The modern front by Wyatt then replaced. 
 Exhibits little skill, and doubtful taste, 
 Assorting badly with the first design, 
 Noble, elegant, of dimensions fine ! 
 
 V. 
 
 So long as stands about thy sacred walls 
 
 A stone on stone, the busy mind recalls, 
 
 With thoughts still sad, the Saxon monarch's fate, 
 
 Seeking within thy courts now consecrate. 
 
 The crumbling effigy defaced and worn. 
 
 O'er which his Anglian heges loved to mourn ; 
 
 The rehc fails, yet in the poet's verse 
 
 His blood-stain'd death impressive words rehearse. 
 
28 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 " Xight wanes apace, the crowd are gone, 
 The lamps have ceased to glow ; 
 And C'ynthia's beams reflect upon 
 The placid lake below. 
 
 "The song of mirth is heard no niDrc, 
 No guests the goblet fill ; 
 The banquet's revelry is o'er, 
 All, all is hush'd and still '. 
 
 " No more amid the stately pile, 
 The dance affords delight ; 
 Nor tale, nor jocund sports beguile 
 The silent hours of night. 
 
 4- 
 "All seek the downy couch of sleep, 
 The host and worthy guest ; 
 The drowsy guard on duty kcejj, 
 And envy them their rest ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 " No minstrels strike th' enlivening string, 
 None sound the thrilling horn ! 
 The nightingale hath ceased to sing, 
 And slowly breaks the morn. 
 
 6. 
 
 " The portals of the dappled east 
 Assume their bright array ; 
 The sun, in nevv-born splendour drest, 
 Drives lowering clouds away. 
 
 7- 
 " Thick vapours from the earth arise, 
 And pass away unseen. 
 Till night again shall veil the skies, 
 Now lucid and serene. 
 
 8. 
 "Above proud Oflfa's gate the gold- 
 Embroider'd banners hung. 
 And 'scutcheon'd shields emblazon'd told, 
 From whence his race had sprung. 
 
^3 HERI'.FURDIA. 
 
 9- 
 "The glittering lance and crested pluine 
 Adorn the sculptured wall. 
 And deepening shadows cast a gloom 
 Around his spacious hall. 
 
 lO. 
 
 " On South-Town's ' heaven-directed ' fane, 
 Sol slieils his glaring ray ; 
 And peace and joy through Mercia's [jlain. 
 Their gladsome sceptre swav- 
 
 1 1. 
 " How different far the scene will he 
 When night appears again, — 
 ( I'er all now reigns festi\'it\', 
 But lamentation then ( 
 
 12. 
 
 " A richly silver-braided \est 
 The \irgin train prepare ; 
 A scarf to wrap the snow-white breast, 
 And gems to deck the hair. 
 
HEREFORDIA. .^i 
 
 " Elfrida, at her lattice high, 
 Sits with the bridal throng, 
 She looks and looks, then heaves a sigh ; 
 ' ^Vlly tarries he so long?' 
 
 14. 
 " He comes, 'tis he; and by his side, 
 Attends a noble band ; 
 He comes to claim his royal bride. 
 His loved Elfrida's hand. 
 
 15- 
 
 " The wish'd for hour is gone and past, 
 
 Slow chimes the marriage bell ; 
 
 May heaven forbid it prove his last, 
 
 The bridegroom's funeral knell. 
 
 16. 
 " The priest before the altar stands. 
 The maid bends on her knee. 
 And lifts to God her heart and hand. 
 In pious fervency. 
 
32 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 17- 
 "But where is he who should have knelt, 
 Before his Maker low ; 
 And where are they, who might have felt, 
 \\'hat none but parents know ( 
 
 i8. 
 " In vain she waits and looks around, 
 Still vainer are her cries. 
 With shrieks the sacred aisles resound ; 
 Save echo,— nought replies. 
 
 19. 
 " Full grief her throbbing heart enthrals. 
 Her lips grow ghastly pale ; 
 She weeps, she faints, and senseless falls, 
 Before the altar rail. 
 
 20. 
 " But where is he by whom the \ows 
 ( )f love were pledged so late? 
 Demand of Offa's artful spouse, 
 Whose fiat seal'd his fate. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 .33 
 
 21. 
 
 
 " The blush of guilt, upon her cheek, 
 
 
 Sends forth its purple hues ; 
 
 
 And agitation seems to speak. 
 
 
 AMiat conscience dares refuse. 
 
 
 2 2. 
 
 - 1 
 
 In heart a loathsome thing, 
 With subtlety assail'd the life 
 Of Anglia's youthful king :— 
 
 " Ethelbert, suitor for her child, 
 (Fond hope of Mercia's lord !) 
 To whom, in accents sweet and mild, 
 She gave her plighted word. 
 
 "To Him, who gives life's fleeting breath. 
 His soul hath ta'en his flight ; 
 He sleeps the last long sleep of death. 
 Upon his bridal night. 
 
H I'.REFORDIA. 
 
 His guards were gone, no friends were near 
 
 To bless him ere he died ; 
 None, none to dry the falhng tear, 
 
 Or bid his pains subside. 
 
 26. 
 
 ' Oh ! where is she whom fate hath made, 
 Dejected and forlorn t 
 She goes to Cr(i\ land's hallow'd shade. 
 To li\e, alas ! to mourn 1 
 
 Weep Anglia, weep, thy monarch 's dead ; 
 
 To liea\"en his spirit 's flown ; 
 And he, whose hands his blood ha\e shed, 
 
 ^\"\\\ mount thy \acant throne. 
 
 28. 
 ■ He reigns ; but, mark, how self-reproach 
 
 Pervades his inm(jst breast ; 
 And pangs of sad remorse encroach 
 Upon his fever'd rest I 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 35 
 
 29. 
 " He lives, but life hath little left, 
 Of aught his love to claim ; — 
 ( )f all but grief 'tis now bereft ; 
 To him, 'tis but a name ! " 
 
 While aught is left of Cantilupe's fair shrine, 
 (The Bohuns in their altar-tomb recline), 
 Of Audley, Booth, and Stanbury, who wore 
 The mitred cap — in the cathedral bore 
 Their share of decoration ; so, thy name, 
 Dean Merewether, shall survive to fame, 
 Whose knowledge, taste, munificence display' d, 
 Restored the Lady Chapel, and here made 
 The Lantern Tower the glory of the scene ; 
 Where stands, too, Bailey's richly sculptured screen. 
 But both, alas ! removed, are dead and gone, 
 Ere they the finish'd work had look'd upon ; 
 Not ta'en too soon to suit th' eternal mind. 
 Too early lost to those they left behind. 
 
.V< HKRp:F(iRr)IA, 
 
 \ II. 
 X<.)r wanting there be other sii^'hts around. 
 Fresh charms imparting to the sacretl ground ; 
 The ancient College with its spacious sijuare, 
 Tile llishop's ( loister and the palace near; 
 Nor distant far, the stout old bridge appears, 
 Withstanding flood and storm three hundred ) ears. 
 Its arches, rough, yet sturdy all now seem ; 
 And jealous of the piers, high up the stream, 
 A\'ould to the ri\'al fabric slily say, 
 " We will be str(.>ng, when \'0u are in decay.'' 
 
 \ III. 
 Like aged parent, with his children nigh, 
 "J"he Minster keeps its place revered and high ; 
 The neighbouring fanes .surround it close at hand, 
 All-.Saints', Saint Peter's, with .Saint Martin's stand 
 A\'ith .spires uplifted, proudly looking o'er 
 Saint Nicholas' Church, and its low stunted tower. 
 On site remoter, raised in days bygone, 
 Where creeping ivy hides the sofien'd stone, 
 
HKRILFORI) CATIIEDllAL AND LADY CHAPEL, 
 
 " Like agfed pareut, with bis cbildreii uigh, 
 The Minster keeps its phice revered and high ; 
 1 he neighbouring fanes surround it close at hand. 
 All Saints', Saint Peter's, with Saint Martin's stand, 
 With spires uplifted, proudly looking o'er 
 Saint Nicholas' church, and its low stinited tower." 
 
 Canto II. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The graceful Monastery of Old Blackfriars, 
 With preaching-cross, though modestly aspires ; 
 And next to these, once courts of praise and prayer, 
 Their kindred piles, the Hospitals appear, 
 Making the city rich in Halls that feed. 
 And shelter give to those who are in need : 
 Thus Nature, Art, Benevolence, here, move 
 In land of Beauty, Peace, and Christian love. 
 
 IX. 
 
 In pleasant meads that skirt the city round, 
 Diversified with vale and rising ground. 
 Induced by sport and June's delightful air. 
 Gay troops of children meet and frolic there ! 
 And in their feles all happily engage 
 Their loved companions of a riper age. 
 Who now review with sense of joy and pain, 
 The days they did athwart the hill and plain 
 With agile limbs th' exciting chase pursue, 
 With faultless aim the ponderous missile throw. 
 Joyous, their name and race should thus survive, 
 And sad, themselves but moments few can live. 
 
.-^8 hkrp:f<)RI)IA. 
 
 I. 
 
 Like rose-bud burst in April-shower, 
 Anxious to taste the \ernal morn, 
 
 The gentle Alice, Nature's flower, 
 A spring- plant fresh was latest born ! 
 
 Fragile and prattling, blithe and fair. 
 
 She '11 dance and sing the long day through ; 
 
 When evening comes, her eyes prepare 
 "With ceaseless fire to shine anew. 
 
 3- 
 Sweet is the breath of childhood's rest. 
 
 Brings damask hue to thy soft cheek ; 
 Then sleep, that with the greater /est, 
 
 Thou niav'st thy life's eniovnient seek. 
 
 4- 
 ^ oting flowers soon fade, though now thev re bright, 
 
 And oft they lie all blench'd and low ! 
 The nipping frost and shade of night 
 
 Do sap their strength, and spoil their glow ! 
 
HKREFORDIA. 
 
 39 
 
 But to enjoy, is to be good ; 
 
 True pleasures flow where virtues thrive, 
 So take in youth and age the food, 
 
 Whereon thou may'st hereafter live. 
 
siHji:c[\ 
 
 •^prin^^ — Ojienin.ic of W'c^etntion and Active LifL-. — Tlic l:f<ip-\',-ir(k 
 and Orchards. — The Natnral Sll-mlt)' of the County. — The 
 ( ii-i'lcii \'alluy : — ! »i trc A1)l>e\', Mnccas, Garnon^, IIohnLacy. — 
 (Goodrich and Ross. — Malvern Udls. — Wilton Bridge and 
 Castle. — C'Hidrich Court, and ( ioodnch Castle. — iVnvard 
 \V(iO(|. and ^^'al^M^(l. — ^Suhl;' to the hy Clreen. — Address to 
 Tintern. — Cmnparisdn between Richmonrl Hill and \\_\ndcliff. 
 — AUusiun (o Pierceficki and (diejtsiow Castle. — The lieiuilv of 
 Kveninj^. — Smii^f of (he Night. — Possil)ililv of War. — The 
 Wiluntcer M'lM'nu-iii. — Stnif^^ nf tlie Oak Tree. 
 
Hail, Herefordia ! region bright and gay, 
 
 Wliere, crown'd witli blossoms, smiles tlie Queen of May ; 
 
 Doffing the garb of Winter, stern and cold, 
 
 Her cheerful reign doth Spring prepare to hold. 
 
 Bursting her bonds, and roused from icy death, 
 
 Nature awakes, and with her genial breath 
 
 Strews warmth and verdure, where the howling blast 
 
 Late made the country round a desert waste. 
 
 Up and astir ; with varied objects rife, 
 Man hastes again to labour and to life ; 
 
44 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 With the yoked team upturns the mellow land, 
 Here scatters seed with firm and generous hand, 
 There leads the flock to pastures green and sweet, 
 AMiere sunlit slopes the sportive lambkins greet ; 
 Xor deaf to duty and the calls of health, 
 Raising li\ industry the rustic wealth, 
 'I'he \illagc matron and her youthful train. 
 Now swell the busy troop o'er hill and plain. 
 Though bonny France with sunny landscape shines, 
 All redolent with smiles and blushing vines, 
 Slif cannot boast a more enchanting sight 
 Than Herefordia, when the Hop-)ards bright 
 \\'ith festoon'd vistas meet the raptured e\'e, 
 And orchards rich in blossom'd drapery, 
 Shed perfumes which Pomona only showers, 
 Ivlcn of perfect beaut\, fruit, and flowers ! 
 
 III. 
 Come charming Summer, time of joy and lo\e 
 To all creation, here, below, alio\'e; 
 BircLs, fishes, insects, l)Lasts, and e'en mankind. 
 All seek thy face, and atmosphere refined. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 45 
 
 See, morning breaks ! and o'er the dewy earth, 
 Light, borne on fragrant wings, hath early birth. 
 From branch to branch the tiny bee doth stray 
 Gathering her honied store from day to day. 
 On velvet lawn the fleecy flocks recline, 
 And 'mid the stream collect the lowing kine. 
 Tempted by shade and pasture rich and deep 
 To climb the river's side, bush-grown and steep. 
 Ne'er heeding happy youths in fields hard by. 
 Who dance o'er new mown-grass so merrily ! 
 Then welcome jocund Autumn crown'd with corn. 
 With gushing grapes and over-flowing horn. 
 When sumptuous fare, the tankard's ruby foam, 
 Make glad the rustic heart at harvest home ; 
 Then plenty cheers the lord of wealth and soil, 
 The humble cottar, child of want and toil. 
 All bless'd by fruits of Providence and Heaven, 
 With lavish hand to peer and peasant given. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Reader, if lust of wealth attract thy heart, 
 
 Go, thread the maze of Mammon's crowded mart ; 
 
4*1 h1':rkfordia. 
 
 If fashion lure thee to her glittering wny, 
 
 (jo seek her courts, where clothed in soft arra\', 
 
 And smiling mien, her \otaries take delight. 
 
 Wasting their strength m one continued night, 
 
 Nor finding rest till garish e)e of day 
 
 < )n sallow cheeks shall stamp a feverish ray. 
 
 If Nature lead th\ more sagacious mind, 
 
 ( U). trace her haunts, where health and peace combined 
 
 Induce «'ise thoughts, true hours of happiness. 
 
 And ripe old age which Heaven doth deign to bless. 
 
 \. 
 Who saunters then the fine old county through, 
 ( an coldl)' pass the scenes which catch his \iew ' 
 The wooded height, the grassy dell and mead, 
 Where burlv oaks their sha(l\- branches spread ; 
 The slopmg orchards where Pomona yields 
 Sweet pjar and apple ; the gold-colour'd fields. 
 Where waxing corn in rich profusion shines, 
 'The welbtrain'd hopj-yard with its tender bines, 
 Resounding with the gleaner's jox'Tul song. 
 The merr\ dance of labourers, old and \oung ( 
 
PRBACHING CROSS, MONASTERY, BLACKFRIARS. 
 
 " On site remoter, raised in days bygone, 
 AVberd creeping ivy hides the soften'd stone, 
 The graceful Monastery of Old Blackfriars, 
 With Preaching Cross, though modestly, aspires." 
 
 Canto II. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 vr. 
 When summer-months with balmy zephyrs vie, 
 The rod and Hne the thoughtful anglers ply, 
 The Golden Valley anxiously explore, 
 Where sport invites them to the sparkling Dore. 
 There may the student sweet retirement taste ; 
 The bard in reverie luxurious waste, 
 Beneath the Abbey walls, the livelong day. 
 And rouse soft echoes by his tuneful lay. 
 Nor needs the painter for his pleasing art, 
 Whilst Vaga's shores such fairy nooks impart, 
 Task grateful ! From the spot wherein she leaves 
 Fair Brecknock's hills, whence Monmouth's vale receives 
 Her stream. Nature, with ever-changing hue, 
 Enchants their ready pen and pencil too. 
 
 47 
 
 Moccas embosom'd in her sylvan glade. 
 Fair gardens on its terraced slope display'd. 
 And Belmont peeping from its close retreat, 
 Th' enraptured voyager's attention meet. 
 Sweet Rotherwas, secluded snug and warm, 
 'Neath Dinedor's sheltering hills, ne'er feels alarm. 
 
4B HRREFoRniA. 
 
 Holm Lacy stately with her park and deer, 
 
 And Fownhope woods romantic all appear. 
 
 The scene extends, till Ross and Goodrich nigh 
 
 ( )n either bank their crowning charms supply. 
 
 The Prospect boasts, beside its sacred head. 
 
 The path which Kyrle delighted once to tread, 
 
 With narrow purse, yet soul enlarged he bore 
 
 Himself the friend of all the neighbouring poor. 
 
 By precept urged them, by example led. 
 
 To win their heavenly and their daily bread ; 
 
 His fame and virtue through the country ran, 
 
 The modest teacher and the Christian man. 
 
 And Pope, great judge of inmost thoughts and waws, 
 
 ( )n the philanthropist bestowed his praise, 
 
 Praise woven with the ])i>et's deathless song, 
 
 l")eser\c(l and just, harmonious on the tongue. 
 
 X'lII. 
 
 Whoe'er hath gazed from Ross' high Prospect down. 
 Whose pretty church surmounts the anti(iue town. 
 There traced the river through its winding \Na)-, 
 Reflecting golden tints on summer day, 
 
HEREFORD I A. 49 
 
 Thence look'd where Cambrian mountains bound the view, 
 
 And Malvern's heights are bathed in purple hue, 
 
 The nearer hills all thick with shadows green. 
 
 And valleys robed in Nature's matchless sheen, 
 
 The slender spires, and hamlets here and there, 
 
 Basking in Industry's enriching air, — 
 
 Will long recall the grandeur of the sight, 
 
 Retain the thoughts which raised the mind's delight ! 
 
 Thence glancing westward from the sunny brow. 
 
 The beaten road ascends the steep below, 
 
 Nor distant far, thick clothed in ivy green. 
 
 The walls, and bridge of Wilton, grace the scene ! 
 
 Within few steps the stranger may descry. 
 
 Fair Goodrich Court, and Casde rising high, 
 
 O'erlooking Walford, on the other shore, 
 
 Old Penyard's wood with ^^'eston in the rear. 
 
 High o'er the stream old Goodrich lifts its head, 
 
 And bears with beethng brow an aspect dread ; 
 
 Uttering a gloomy plaint, her spirit mourns ; 
 
 With sadden'd heart to former glory turns. 
 
r.o HERE FORD I A. 
 
 I. 
 
 " Twine, quickly twine, sweet Ivy Green, 
 ( )'er my shorn walls all grey and bare, 
 And kindly hide, with leafy screen, 
 
 The hand that works destruction there. 
 
 " Twine, twine again, with perfumed flowers. 
 Bright as the golden sun in j\la)' ; 
 Witli honey'd blossoms crown the hours, 
 Bid Time m\ threaten'd fall dela\. 
 
 3- 
 " Fain would I e'er conceal the truth, 
 Traces which mark my ancient stone, 
 ( )h ! could I but renew my \outh, 
 
 When o'er my halls bright splendour shone. 
 
 4- 
 " Though ruin haunts my once proud fane, 
 No better fate, m\- masters share. 
 None of their lordh- race remain 
 ■|'() (loldrick, Talbot, or De Clare. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 5- 
 ' Yon puny towers now vainly wear 
 
 The tinsel of a later day, 
 Like youthful beauties flaunting peer, 
 Mocking my age and sure decay. 
 
 6. 
 ' Then quickly twine, sweet Ivy Green, 
 O'er my now soft and crumbhng form ; 
 Let thy young tendrils intervene, 
 To sate the blind devouring worm." 
 
 As day declines, lo ! Goodrich fades from sight, 
 Its turrets hid beneath the pall of night ; 
 And led by thoughts her raptured mind engage, 
 The Muse to Tintern makes a pilgrimage. 
 
 Hail, fair Tintern ! Whether or not it be 
 In Winter's dreary hour, when gloomily 
 
HEREFUKIJIA, 
 
 The harsh wind blo«s all biting, cold and loud,. 
 ^Vnil earth lies ice-bound, wrapt in snowy shroud : 
 On \'ernal morn, when oVr thy sacred ground, 
 The young grass springs, and Nature smiles around 
 In Summer, when the sun shines warm and bright, 
 And skylarks warble in the azure height; 
 Or in brown Autumn, decked with changing leaves, 
 A\"hen garners full, fruit blushing, golden shea\ cs 
 Ivcjoice the heart of man, — I \-isit thee ; 
 Tintern, thou still hast deathless charms for rr.e ! 
 
 Crumbling and reft though be thy ancient gate, 
 Roofless thy walls, fast sinking, desolate ; 
 All stript and naked th)- once glittering shrine, 
 Th\- gothic windows glassless, where did shine. 
 Traced in soft lines and tinctures bright and fair, 
 Lcjjcnds of saints, histories old and rare 1 
 Dull and dismantled though lli\- lofl) tower, 
 I'ngarnish'd, voiceless be thy statul)' choir; 
 \'el, Tintern, thou dost speak in tones to me, 
 Both sad and sueet, like holy memories be. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 5,5 
 
 3- 
 
 Nor praise nor prayer now wakes thy fretted aisles, 
 
 Nor studied pomp the sacred rite unveils ; 
 
 Thy lands and tythes by ruthless spoilers shorn, 
 
 Which made thy coffers rich with coin and corn : 
 
 Thy mitred abbots crumble in the dust, 
 
 Their tombs scarce marked with sculptured cross or bust. 
 
 The mind, reflecting on thy glories gone, 
 
 Regrets thy ruin, but is proud to own 
 
 The growth of freedom and the milder law, 
 
 Ruling since feudalism hath ceased to awe 
 
 The public mind ; that knowledge, hand in hand 
 
 With holy truth, hath lighted up the land. 
 
 4- 
 Then farewell Tintern ! He, who stands alone 
 Within thy walls, thy beauty looks upon 
 (The ivy clinging to thy wasting form, 
 Where, silent, feeds the dull, rapacious worm !) 
 V.'ill ne'er retire without a parting sigh. 
 The past and present crowding in his eye, 
 Wisliing again to see thy front sublime. 
 Nor further injured by, the hand of Time. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 X. 
 
 Monastic life is but existence lost, 
 ^Vallting the spring which should adorn it most. 
 'Tis active \irtue makes religion thri\ e, 
 Th' example best, by which to act and live. 
 A tree hath use which sheds its proper fruit, 
 'I hat failing, 'tis a dry and cumbrous root. 
 Th' imprison'd warbler sings ; but lo 1 its song 
 Is not so thrilling, half so sweet or strong, 
 As when it sounds in Xature's haunts all free, 
 Waking the air with charming melody ; 
 'I'o strains tliere given its younger mates aspire, 
 .And so results a full harmonious (juire 1 
 
 And who can i]uit thy shores, meand-ring \\'\e, 
 Ere climbing W'yndcliff, towering clear and high, 
 Xiewing the gorgeous landscape stretching wide. 
 And Piercefield wasli'd b) th)- ne'er-ceasing tide ; 
 I'hen visit Clie|jsto«-, th' old and quiet town, 
 ]!y sheltering hill-side, closely nestling down, 
 With aspect mild, beneath the Cas.le-keeii I 
 Like angry monarch scowling o'er the deep, 
 
HEREFORDIA. 55 
 
 Its watch hath been since Julius C^sar hurl'd 
 His countless legions through the startled world, 
 Till by Clare, Bigod, Pembroke's lord possest, 
 By Somerset and Cromwell 'mongst the rest ; 
 And lastly, in Victoria's peaceful reign, 
 Portion of Beaufort's rich, much prized domain ; 
 Where forest huge, and pastures fiU'd with kine. 
 Of Nature's wealth afford an endless mine. 
 
 I. 
 Who hath not heard of Richmond's charming hill, 
 
 Whence Nature light and beauty thickly showers. 
 And Father Thames with ample stream doth fill 
 
 The shore, where stand proud Windsor's regal towers. 
 
 Deep in the gorge, there Kingston holds its place. 
 And Bushey's noble park is clearly seen, 
 
 A fitting guard to Hampton's fairy space, 
 With palace, maze, and garden, all serene ! 
 
.-,6 HERKFORDIA, 
 
 3- 
 
 But here, more bold and grand, doth A\yndcHff rise, 
 A\'here Vaga wanders through the wooded vale, 
 
 Kissing \\ith lofty brow the da])pled skies, 
 And Tintern droo])s, in dust, a ruin pale. 
 
 High, on the broad expanse the eye doth rest, 
 Unnumber'd coimties meet the raptured view, 
 
 Encircling fair Sabrina's golden breast, 
 
 Then lost in Camfirian mountains clothed with blue. 
 
 Varied and rich, the prospect hath no end ; 
 
 Now soft, then wild, fresh objects catch the sight 
 Exhaustless ; save Avhere earth and air do blend 
 
 Their lessening outlines with the melting light. 
 
 6. 
 Sublime, enduring, at His high command, 
 
 (Uir great Creator's work will death defy; 
 llnlike the fruit of man's but puny hand. 
 
 Made for an hour, but to decay and die. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 7- 
 So, classic Piercefield must its beauties lose, 
 
 Roofless and bare will be as Chepstow's keep : 
 Nature alone shall see the world's sad close — 
 
 Will o'er its fallen greatness watch and weep. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Happy is he who scans this matchless scene, 
 Where charms of Art and Nature intervene : 
 Nor yet the varied landscape let him leave, 
 Ere day decUnes in dewy lap of Eve. 
 Day hath its glory ! 'Neath th' horizon's bound. 
 Life, light, and shadow, run their wonted round. 
 Morn moves along with quick and sounding feet, 
 All heralding with sweets the Noon-tide heat ; 
 But Evening soft assumes her sober vest. 
 Suggests pure thoughts, fit time for sleep and rest ; 
 Bids the full mind reflect on moments past. 
 Foretaste the morrow, that, perchance its last. 
 He who but tries the future oft to view. 
 Will mete the present with a standard true. 
 Doth labour well to fill the narrow span 
 Which God awards to action and to man. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 I. 
 Hark ! hark ! through rustling ircc 
 Xdw sighs the Mid-night breeze, 
 
 ( )'er field and streamlet l)orne ; 
 And high in ivied towers. 
 Through melancholy hours, 
 
 The moping owl doth mourn ! 
 
 List ! list I all soft and clear. 
 Now breaks upon the ear, 
 
 The nightingale's sweet song. 
 Listen, as louder grows 
 The melody, and flows 
 
 Her trilling, matchless song 1 
 
 .V 
 
 See ! see ! as in the cloud 
 The moon herself doth shroud, 
 
 Lea\ing the waning night ! 
 Silent on velvet lawn, 
 Watching the day's grev dawn 
 
 The glow-worm sheds her light ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 59 
 
 4- 
 Hark ! hark ! how quick and shrill,. 
 Crowing o'er vale and hill, 
 
 The cock doth wake the morn ! 
 Now larks do carol high, 
 The hound doth join the cry, 
 
 The sportsman winds his horn ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Hark ! hark ! dull guns now in the distance boom. 
 
 Athwart the sky impends a heavy gloom ; 
 
 Uneasiness doth strain the public mind, 
 
 A sense of danger, feeling undefined. 
 
 Erect and ready every man doth stand. 
 
 Courage and love now nerve each heart and hand ; 
 
 Courage in war to meet the coming foe, 
 
 And love of country none doth better know : 
 
 Pure unbought patriotism, the thought which spurns 
 
 All other motives, when abroad there burns 
 
 Aggressive action, and the wish to brand 
 
 With foreign yoke our yet unconquer'd land. 
 
 See, in the noble work, all ranks unite. 
 
 Reckless of life, all wait the glorious fight ; 
 
6o HEREFORDIA. 
 
 O'er .s;rned hos'.s these magic words appeai-, 
 "The Queen, old England, and our children dear!" 
 
 xi\ . 
 Firm as the rock which studs fair Albion' shore, 
 Unscathed by storm, and deaf to ocean's roar, 
 1 >auntless and steadfast as her stalwart oak, 
 Her sons, regardless e'en of threat or stroke, 
 Make common cause ; and all in band compact. 
 AV'hen danger frowns, resolve to think and act, 
 Well weigh the cause which craves their sturdy might. 
 And, once decided, buckle to the fight. 
 No better guards shall Albion c\cr need. 
 Whilst hearts so true are ready e'er to bleetl, 
 Whilst the broad oak, unbending broad and high, 
 In countless fleets her ^^o()(lcn walls supplj-. 
 
 'I'he British (3ak, the hne old oak, 
 A\'ith oulstrctch'd limbs and str(jnL 
 
 I )eiies the tempest's rudest stroke, 
 Endures through ayes long ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 6i 
 
 Deep in the soil, robust, and tall. 
 Firm stands its giant form ; 
 
 With branches wide, its shadows fall, 
 A shelter from the storm ! 
 
 When dark clouds veil the wintry sky, 
 Leafless it grows and bare ; 
 
 Its limbs extend all bright and high, 
 A crown of frost-work wear. 
 
 When Summer smiles all warm and green, 
 And decks the field with flowers, 
 
 The oak puts on its shady sheen. 
 The ruddy apple showers. 
 
 5- 
 When by the Woodman's axe it falls, 
 
 Dismember'd, shorn, and low. 
 The brave old oak rears wooden walls, 
 
 A fence 'gainst England's foe ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 And so, Religion hath been gix'cn, 
 
 A shield and solace here ; 
 It yields both peace and joy in hea\Ln, 
 
 With Jesus ever near. 
 
 "■~-^W^^f. 
 
•'%? ' '"""'J-'J 
 
SUIIJECT. 
 
 Xnliire must be viewed in all her (Jhanges, and her Haunts are 
 necessary to Cdntemplation. — Sceneiy from Ludlow, by way 
 of Keixford, I.edbury, and Malvern. — Ludlow Castle, its 
 History and Present Condition. — The Character of the C'nuitry 
 in < Mden 'I'inics. — The .Saxon and Roman Periods. — Iiua^inn 
 by tile Danes. — Urigin of the Castle of Hereford, and Subjuga- 
 tion of the Cit\' by William the Xorman. — The Men of Here- 
 ford in Doomsday Book. — .Surrender of Hereford to King 
 Stephen. — Henry the Third and the Barons. — Deposition of 
 Edward the Second. — Tlie W'.irs of the Roses. — The Earls of 
 Hereford. — The Viscounts ftf Hereford. — The Siege of Plere- 
 ford liy the Parliamentary Forces in Time of Charles the First. — 
 Its Defence b}' .Sir Barnabas Scudamore. — The I\b)nastci'y of 
 the Blackfriars, — The White Cross and the Plague in Here- 
 ford. — Cliapel at Kington destroyed by an Earthquake. — 
 The Slipping of Marcle Hills. — Longevity of the Lihabitants of 
 the Count}'. — IMorrice franco perfonned before King James 
 the First. — Presentation to tli.Tl Monarch of Twenty-one Sons 
 by Sir Roger de il.nskerville. — Ccneral Reflections on Man, and 
 the Design of the Creation. — Hen.fordia, delightful both to 
 .Strangers and to her Children: the Tie not broken In Death. 
 — Autinnnal T>eaves. 
 
Picture a voiceless, dull, unmoving world, 
 Eternal silence into chaos hurl'd ; 
 Or, e'en a flow of never-ending light, 
 Without the rest and soft repose of night ; 
 Pluck the fair stars from Heaven's high firmament ; 
 Sink the vast sea, by foaming billows rent. 
 And build a Babel huge of cold, grey s'one. 
 Whereon to fix the straining sight alone. 
 Monotony so sa.d would, craze the mind, 
 . Render tire vision' soon both dim and blind. 
 But Providence all-good, supremely great. 
 Hath saved His creatures from so dire a fate ; 
 
HEP.EFOP.DIA. 
 
 Si'curing health and jo}' ! Wherever view'd 
 Nature doth shine in crovvd.s or solitude. 
 
 IT. 
 
 He loses much who ne'er ca.n N.iture see 
 
 In c1l her fitful, strange variet)' : 
 
 Xow ^unu)-, pleasant, bright, serene and mild, 
 
 Gentle as sportive lamb and prattling child. 
 
 Then dark and threatening, with a face severe, 
 
 ^^'idl o'ercast sky and tempest hovering near. 
 
 Anon, to fi:'y lash'd in wildest height, 
 
 She strikes the s'.artled earth with subtle light ; 
 
 Next brooding into silence, such as reigns 
 
 When spectral corse doth scare the battle-plains. 
 
 Thus Spjring delights to smile with opening (kn-. 
 
 Clothing the hills and dales witlr soft array. 
 
 Then .'■'ummer lures us with her 1 ainiv hours, 
 
 1 ler [lurjjled thickets and her perfumed bowers ; 
 
 And sober Autumn v.ith htr golden horn, 
 
 Loads the huge bai-n with blusliing fruit and corn. 
 
 The stores vihich cheer us through the Wintiy night, 
 
 AVlien social converse charms with kindly light. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 67 
 
 But quiet thought, and contemplation deep 
 
 Love lonely heaths where clouds and shadows sweep. 
 
 In spangled fields and tangled lawn and dell, 
 
 The artless child of Nature fain would dwell ; 
 
 Far from the world, its anxious strife, and gains, 
 
 The mind high impulse, purer view obtains. 
 
 Content with little ; thus, the greed for much 
 
 The spirit vexeth not by sordid touch ; 
 
 Simple of heart, the student there confines 
 
 His book to fair Creation's glorious lines ; 
 
 Religion, too, the moral feeling sways. 
 
 Leading to truth's more calm and pleasant ways I 
 
 III, 
 Reader, if -aorldly cares distract thy mind, 
 The harass'd brain restoring balm would find, 
 Go, trace the glebe from Salop's boLindary line. 
 To spot where Malvern Hills the county join : 
 See Ludlow smiling, Avith her castle-wall 
 In peace o'er Ludford's antiquated hall : 
 Thence pass by Eerrington to Lem'ster Town ; 
 Then visit Hampton Court retired and lone. 
 
68 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 By Dinmore Hill, the \a\e of Lugg pursue 
 
 To Hereford, the varied country through ; 
 
 Then see Stoke Edith's mansion, park, and fane. 
 
 Till Ledbury's steeple rises o'er the plain ; 
 
 Thence seeking Eastnor's awe-insjnring towers. 
 
 Her velvet slopes, and all-enchanting bowers ; 
 
 Enraptured, climb the Beacon's swelling height, 
 
 'J here contemplate the panoramic sight. 
 
 Where beauty reigns, and Nature e\-er glows, 
 
 Displaying charms, which Britain only shows. 
 
 Brief is the task, but in the mind and eye, 
 
 "Will linger long the pleasing memory, 
 
 That freedom dwells, and industry here thrives, 
 
 Blessing the fruit the great Creator gi\es. 
 
 If Contemplation woo the purple shade, 
 
 And young romance affect the leaf\' glade, 
 
 (Coy Nymphs the twain, each tells her musings sweet, 
 
 In pleasant gro\"es, fond l(>\crs' sale retreat), 
 
 Co, seek the woods, where Wigniore's thickets join 
 
 The hills and vales of charming I.emtwardine, 
 
 Tra\ erscd by streams, where, through the vernal dav. 
 
 The anglers lo\ e to lure their finny \nx\. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 69 
 
 And he who scans the dark, barbaric age, 
 
 When conflicts dire marked history's early page, 
 
 May see, not far removed, the battle-field. 
 
 Where Pembroke's earl display'd his blood-stain'd shield. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Close-built, and nestling on the church-crown'd hill, 
 Fair Ludlow smiles with antique gables still. 
 But not disturbed by sounds like those of yore. 
 When her stout walls Montgomery's banner bore, 
 Founder of the fortress ; and from whose fame, 
 '■ Palace of Princes," dates its fitting name. 
 The Castle, for King Henry, Pagnell held. 
 Who aiding, next, Matilda, 'twas then quell'd 
 By Stephen's force; he, join'd by Scotland's heir. 
 Reduced the place, and fix'd his standard there. 
 In the third Henry's reign, De Montfort came, 
 Demolishing the towers by arms and flame. 
 Bold Roger Mortimer then ruled, its lord, 
 Till, to King Edward, treason foul'd his sword ; 
 And, here, the Duke of York in durance vile 
 Held Glastonbury's Abbot for awhile : 
 
HERE FORI) I A. 
 
 And once again, the Castle was besieged 
 ]/y the sixth Henry, who plundering waged 
 'War 'gainst the town ! Led by savage glow. 
 His soldiers laid the ancient stronghold lo-.;. 
 Upon the death of York at stern Vv'akefield, 
 Tlie Earl of filarch (his son) the Castle held ; 
 Here, the fifth ICh.vard and his brother were 
 \\'a;ch'd by the Earl of Ri\'ers' friendly care, 
 Till, trapp'd away by Glo'ster's fiendish power. 
 The royal youths v.ere niiirder'd in the Tower. 
 In Charles's wars, rj.-;dge,\'ater's famous earl 
 In the King's cau ;e his flag did here unfurl. 
 And for a space, the fji'lr^-ss kept ac bay 
 Cromwell's rapacious troops, which ro;.n 1 it la_\'. 
 
 \-. 
 Drear though be thy waks, dark be thy present fa'e, 
 ^\'here Ruin stalks all-grand, but desolate, 
 ^ et thou briglit deeds and brighter hours hast kno\'.ii, 
 Reilecting g'or;,-, pl.asure all thine own ; 
 The hours when pageant, maMpae, an.l fe-,!i\-al 
 Did the bra\e knight and jewell'd dame enthral. 
 
HRREFORDIA. 71 
 
 The deeds which even death and age defy, 
 Rich traits of honour, courage, loyalty. 
 Nor dost thou need the poet's glowing verse, 
 Such Milton's e'er-impassion'd strains rehearse, 
 And Butler pour'd from sharp satyric vein, 
 Within thy courts in Stuart's merry reign. 
 
 vr. 
 Who views thy giant fortress, once the pride 
 Of Norman power, will not have inly sigh'd — 
 That time is gone, when in thy neighbourhood 
 Raged constant havoc, bloodshed, war, and feud. 
 Peace marks thy place ; where, once vrith feather'd crest 
 Bristled the barb, now builds the bird her nest. 
 And songs harmonious wake the verdant plain, 
 Nor booming gun doth shake thy walls again. 
 Stately and still, beneath the vaulted sky, 
 Thou hold'st thy ancient head sublime and high : 
 Unscathed by storm, save fire of human rage. 
 Thou stand's^ a monument in after-age 
 Of feudal greatness, civil discords past. 
 Whereof thy stones a fading record last ; 
 
HKREFORDIA. 
 
 All i\y-clad, as if kind Nature tried 
 
 With graceful shroud thy wasting form to hide ! 
 
 \il. 
 In olden time, Herefordia ]i]ayed her part, 
 Prompt e'er in war ; ni peace with useful art. 
 To exercise her children's ready hand 
 T,y labour to impro\e her generous land. 
 This portion of Siluria was well-known, 
 Which the Dimetie Tribes then made their own. 
 Where long the people bravely held their home 
 Against the legions of invading Rome. 
 Nor till Caractacus was captive borne, 
 And Rome's imperial robe I)}- Claudius worn, 
 Here, did the galling yoke .Sihiria know, 
 'Fore Julius Frontinus her soldiers bow ! 
 The Roman station, Magna Castra, still. 
 And Ariconium built near Hury Hill, 
 Attest the rule, which, for five centuries' time, 
 The (';\jsars held in I'.ritain's shifting clime. 
 
THE WHITE CROSS. 
 
 "The White Cross (Bishop Charlton's work) records, 
 Now by its slmiJe form, though not in words, 
 That, since the Plague bore, by its poisonous breath, 
 To the doom'd city then, both woe and death, 
 The country-people have enjoy'd fair health, 
 The fertile soil produced its cereal wealth ! " 
 
 Canto IV. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 73 
 
 VIII. 
 
 During this era, a poor village known 
 To Britons, " CaerfFawydd," or " The Beech Town," 
 Enjoyed the now fair city's pleasant place ; 
 And Boel, the governor (so legends trace). 
 At the round table of King Arthur seen, 
 Was in high council, kept at old Caerleen. 
 Some fifty years had pass'd, that king being slain, 
 The district was by Saxon Cridda ta'en ; 
 And of the Heptarchy, the Mercian throne. 
 The last and greatest kingdom then was known. 
 Betwixt this time and Offa's dismal reign, 
 Britons and Saxons were by thousands slain ; 
 To mark the country here by Offa won. 
 The famous Dyke that monarch then begun. 
 Two centuries later, did the Danes invade 
 The city. Bishop Carmalac being made 
 Prisoner, and for whom a ransom paid 
 Was by King Edward, till, by royal maid, 
 Ethelfleda ; the routed Danes were slain, 
 And few survived to flee the crimson plain. 
 The Wall and Castle, by this princess rear'd, 
 Did cause the King to be by Welshmen fear'd ; 
 
74 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 So, that with Athelstane a truce was made, 
 Tribute in silver, gold, and kine was paid ; 
 And, by this monarch was the River Wye, 
 'Twixt A\'ales and England, named the boundary. 
 King Harold next the city wall renew'd. 
 And when by Griffith, Prince of Wales, subdued. 
 The citizens were under tribute laid 
 To \Villiam First, who a Mint here made. 
 Thus ceased the Sovereigns of pure Saxon race. 
 Of whom, in history, now, the slightest trace 
 Recalls a sense of love and honest pride, 
 Their mild and simple rule so justified. 
 
 IX. 
 
 In Doomsday Book, the men of Hereford 
 Were chronicled in eulogistic word ; 
 Claiming the van when hostile ranks did meet. 
 And so, the rear, when force compell'd retreat. 
 In Eleven~thirt3-nine, th' year of Grace, 
 For the Empress !Maud, Talbot took the place, 
 Holding it three years, when to Stephen, King, 
 Fortune of war the castle old did bring ; 
 
HEREFORDIA. 75 
 
 And, crown' d, that monarch sate at Whitsuntide 
 
 In the Cathedral Church. He did decide 
 
 The southern suburbs all to set on fire, 
 
 That no unfaithful troops might there conspire. 
 
 When Henry with the Barons was engaged. 
 
 The war at first in Hereford was waged. 
 
 That done, the Ba'tle-field of Lewes was fought. 
 
 Hence, were the King and his son Edward brought ; 
 
 But luckily the Prince he found his way 
 
 To Wigmore, where Earl Mortimer then lay. 
 
 In solemn council then convened and closed 
 
 At Hereford, King Edward was deposed ; 
 
 And Hugh de Spencer, by the Friar's-Gate, 
 
 His favourite (Earl of Glo'ster) met his fate. 
 
 X. 
 
 The soil of Hereford was next imbued 
 With war "and blood, during the Roses' feud ; 
 The Duke of York, 'gainst Pembroke's royal Earl, 
 And th' Earl of Ormond, did his flag unfurl ; 
 But ere in fight, the troops at Kingsland met, 
 High in the Heavens three glaring suns were set. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Of Lancasters, four thousand nigh were slain, 
 
 And Owen, second spouse of Catherine 
 
 The Queen, with nine brave officers of note, 
 
 By Yorkists, were within the City smote. 
 
 In Cromwell's wars it was then thrice besieged, 
 
 And Cave and \Val]cr 'gainst each other 'gaged ; 
 
 The former rashly did capitulate, 
 
 I'he la'.ter entered by old Widemarsh Gate ; 
 
 But soon his army did evacuate, 
 
 When Scudamore reversed the City's fate, 
 
 And forced the Earl of Le\ en to retire, 
 
 Who so escaped King Charles' superior fire. 
 
 XL 
 
 The 5arls of Hereford, once powerful thanes, 
 
 Held feudal reign o'er town, and hill, and i)lains ; 
 
 From Swe}n, Fitz-C)/borne, to the bra\ e Breteuil, 
 
 Through Milo, Bossu, and the Bohun's rule, 
 
 To th' eighth Earl Humphrey, last of that high name, 
 
 Henry, his heir, was Duke of Buckingham ; 
 
 He aided Richard to usurp the throne, 
 
 (Then prompted Richmond to obtain the crown). 
 
HEREFORDIA. 77 
 
 Was by that monster kill'd at Salisbury, 
 When ceased the honours of the family ! 
 Viscounts of Hereford, the oldest known, 
 The Devereux' race through sixteen ages own ; 
 Of these, great Robert, Earl of Essex too, 
 Eliza's favor and her vengeance knew ! 
 
 XII. 
 
 Lord Cantilupe (the Bishop's brother), he 
 
 (Time, second Edward) built the Monastery 
 
 Of Old Blackfriars. In the succeeding reign, 
 
 The King, the Black Prince, and a noble train. 
 
 At its high consecration were employed ; 
 
 And so the fabric for a time enjoyed 
 
 Much reputation : to its coffers brought 
 
 The stores which lay nor churchman set at nought. 
 
 The Whitecross (Bishop Charlton's work), records 
 
 Yet, by its simple form, though not in words, 
 
 That since the Plague bore, by its poisonous breath. 
 
 To the doom'd City then dire woe and death. 
 
 The country-people have enjoy'd fair health. 
 
 The fertile soil produced its cereal wealth ! 
 
78 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 No dark event within the county's bound 
 Hath frighten'd e'er the simple follt around, 
 Since Kington Chapel sank by rude earthquake, 
 And Little Marcle Hills did dance and shake. 
 Its church destroying in their hasty fall, 
 (Some add !) the parson, clerk, and people all ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 The population here attain old age, 
 
 If temperate habits do the mind engage, 
 
 " But rheumatism abounds," so cries the sage, 
 
 " Where cider flows," their native beverage ! 
 
 In presence of their lord, the first King James, 
 
 When flourish'd many fine old English games, 
 
 Ten persons did perform most jollily, 
 
 A Morrice Dance before His Majesty — 
 
 I'i\e men, five women, whose united years 
 
 A thousand reached, by history appears. 
 
 And Baskerville, much to His Highness' sport, 
 
 Stout sons a score -and-one he took to court. 
 
 But Stuarts now no longer fill a throne. 
 
 The stalwart knight of Norman blood is gone : 
 
HEREFORDIA. 79 
 
 The Lord of Eardisley, a hundred lands, 
 With all his race is mingled with the sands — 
 The shifang sands which form'd the hill and plain, 
 Where e'en not now his once strong towers remain ! 
 But kings are mortal ; so the life of man 
 Doth vanish into dust, a narrow span ; 
 And dynasties but mark time's finite space, 
 All unenduring as swift lightning's trace ! 
 
 XIV. 
 Though grand soe'er the page of history reads. 
 And brightly there shine man's heroic deeds, 
 How feeble seem they, when our eyes survey 
 The works of God through each recurring day. 
 The World's design is wonderfully laid. 
 Wherein such love and mercy are display' d. 
 That, wanting these, existence would have been 
 A dreary waste, an unimpassion'd scene ! 
 Mark but the sky its soft and azure hue, 
 Where sun and clouds, delightful, form the view ; 
 The fields, too, deck'd in verdure rich and deep ; 
 The shading trees in lines of beauty sweep ; 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 And rivers bright, like th' eye in human face, 
 
 Light and expression on the landscape trace ; 
 
 Supplying harmony to charm the whole. 
 
 The joyous song of birds enchants the soul. 
 
 Nature rejoiceth in variety, 
 
 With endless objects, leads the mind and eye ; 
 
 Here, the bluff rock o'erawes the watery main, 
 
 There, mountain-range o'erlooks the sunny plain ; 
 
 Uniting order, use, and ornament. 
 
 In system peerless, wise, and excellent ! 
 
 XV. 
 
 So rich in gifts doth Herefordia claim 
 
 The stranger's love. To those, who, with her name. 
 
 By birth have privilege of closer tie. 
 
 Sweet Home dwells ever in the memory. 
 
 In life thus dear, — in death 'twill form a part 
 
 Of the soul's prayer to sleep within her heart ; 
 
 Fain would the Muse secure her resting place, 
 
 A nook within the county's much prized space. 
 
 Whene'er that comes, oh ! let the moment see 
 
 The Day's decline, whilst Autumn's leaves shall be 
 
HEREFORDIA. 8i 
 
 Thick strewed by winds, which murmur solemnly 
 O'er her poor tomb, the fitting drapery. 
 1. 
 Autumnal Leaves : 
 What lessons teach they in the busy crowd. 
 
 Where Fortune weaves 
 Her web of blank or prize ; but that a shroud 
 Awaits the old and young ; aye, instant death 
 To him that strives 'gainst fate with fiercest breath 1 
 
 2. 
 
 Pale, falling Leaves : 
 What speak they in the forest bending low. 
 
 Where Nature weaves 
 Her own cold winding sheet of spotless snow ; 
 But that all earthly things must see decay, 
 Ere light shall shine with never-ending ray ■? 
 3- 
 
 Pale, floating Leaves : 
 What prove they on the swift but silent stream. 
 
 Where soft Wave heaves, 
 And on the golden prow the sun doth gleam ; 
 But that the sands of Time unheeded fly. 
 Find the unseen depths of Eternity 1 
 
82 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 4- 
 
 Pale, falling I^eaves : 
 What say they on the bed of starry flowers, 
 
 Where Beauty weaves 
 A coronal, to hide the fleeting hours ; 
 But the stern law, without exception made, 
 That all must die, the brightest flower must fade 1 
 
 5- 
 
 Pale, wasting Leaves : 
 What say they in the charnel house of Death, 
 
 Where Darkness weaves 
 A gloomy pall, e'er stifling light and breath ; 
 But that, like leaflets withering day by day, 
 The whiten'd corses there must sink away^ 
 6, 
 
 Yet Autumn Leaves 
 Foretel an Earthly and a Heavenly Spring : 
 
 This sure Hope gives 
 (Gladdening the Universe with cheerful ring) 
 To Nature and to Man's immortal mind. 
 That both shall live again, renew'd, refin'd^ 
 
SUBJECT. 
 
 Invocation to tlie Month of May. — The Agricultural Character of 
 the County, paucity of Manuficturcs therein. — The County 
 Towns. — Kington, Charles the Second and Mrs. Siddons 
 there. — Leominster, Weobley, and Ledbury. — Ross. — The 
 River Lugg. — Eminent Men conected with the County. — ^John 
 Cuillim the Herald. — Roger of Hereford, Bishops Putta, 
 Wilfred, Athelstane, Lozing, Kaynelm, Bruce, De Bethune, 
 De Breton, Eox, Hoadley, Skipp, IMiles Smith, Huntingford, 
 and Musgra\e. — Cardinal Wolsey once 1 lean. — ^Joanna de 
 Bohun. — Henry the Fifth. — The Rev. Canon Phillips. — ^John 
 Phillips the Poet. — Davis and Gerthenge, James Cornewell, 
 is'ell Gwynne, Sir John Geers Cuttcrell, Sir Uvedale Price, 
 Bart., Richard I'.iync Knight, Thomas Amlrew Knight, Sir 
 Samuel Rush Meyrick, Dean Mere\\clher, Duncumb, Eosbrooke, 
 Joseph Liul, James Wathen, John ^^'ebb. — W illiarn Havard. 
 —David Garrick, Hr. Clarke Whitfield, Dr. John Bull. 
 David Ccx, Charles Lucy, Benjamin Jennings, Jun. — PIsIk p 
 (iillicil, Dean Langford, the Duchess of Somerset. — The Rev. 
 Chaucclliir T.iylur, the Rev. Dr. Talbot, founder of the County 
 Inhrmary. 
 
Rise, rise, sweet May, and let the day 
 
 Thy opening glances take ! 
 The Skylark's throat with silvery note, 
 
 Bids thee from slumber wake ! 
 On dale and hill, the Daffodil 
 
 Shakes off the heavy dew ! 
 The Cowslip bright doth greet the light. 
 
 And welcomes Spring and you ! 
 
86 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 2. 
 
 O'er velvet lawn, the milk-white Fawn 
 
 Gambols all blithe and free : 
 On silken grass, both lad and lass 
 
 Now foot it daintily ! 
 A sluggard ne'er, with matted hair. 
 
 Waste not fair Morning's breath ; 
 ( )r, sallow cheek will soon bespeak 
 
 A poison worse than death ! 
 
 3- 
 
 To hail on lawn the Sun at dawn 
 
 Brings cheerfulness and health ! 
 The Bee on wing is gathering 
 
 Her store of honey'd wealth ! 
 To crown Thee queen with garland green. 
 
 Thick set with Pink and Rose, 
 A fairy band, link'd hand in hand, 
 
 Doth lovingly propose ! 
 
 4- 
 Away, away, where breezes play 
 
 < )'er beds of soft perfume ! 
 See, Flora leads to daisied meads 
 
 A train of richest bloom ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 87 
 
 Then rise, sweet May, and let the day 
 
 Thy early kisses take ! 
 The Skylark's throat, with silvery note 
 
 Bids thee from slumber wake ! 
 
 I. 
 Herefordia e'er to agriculture given, 
 There manufactures have but little thriven ; 
 And thus, her towns are few and small, but fair. 
 Not rich in art, but fixed midst beauties rare. 
 Through Kington, placed by Radnor's hilly side. 
 Sparkling and swift, the Arrow's waters glide. 
 There, Charles, when outcast, and his fortunes frown'd. 
 Ere Worcester's battle, safe asylum found ; 
 Now, too, remains the Talbot-hostelry, 
 Which shelter gave to fallen royalty ; 
 There, Siddons first appeared in girlish age, 
 The future queen of Britain's tragic stage. 
 Whose name, with Garrick, Kemble, Powell, too. 
 O'er Hereford no common halo threw. 
 Then, Lem'ster, seated in a valley warm. 
 And Weobley, cosy, snug, and safe from harm. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Enjoy sweet peace, in troublous times not known, 
 When Stephen wore uneasily the crown. 
 'Midst fertile soil, Ledbury, Bromyard stand, 
 AA'here apple, pear, and hop, enrich the land ; 
 Nor distant far, Ross, with her wood-clad hills. 
 O'er meads and corn-fields thick, complacent smiles ; 
 A landscape pointing to the mind and eye. 
 Such only found where flows the matchless Wye. 
 Now quits the Muse her pleasing task to guide. 
 But bids the thoughtful rambler turn aside. 
 And ere, to Hereford he sighs, "Adieu!" 
 Of Kelpeck Church and Castle take a view, 
 Then Madley, with her decorated tower, 
 Will hold the critic through a pleasant hour. 
 
 I. 
 Through a rich sweep of woods and meadows green. 
 
 The lazy Lugg doth wind its quiet way ; 
 Now hid by copses, then in valley seen. 
 
 Till, with the Wye its yellow stream doth play. 
 
 2. 
 
 Glide on, fair river ! as thy silent wave 
 
 Flows from its tiny source to peaceful end, 
 
THE WYE, FROM THE PROSPECT, ROSS. 
 
 "The Prospect boasts, besides its sacred head. 
 The path which Kyrle delighted once to tread, 
 With narrow purse, yet soul enlarged he bore 
 Himself the friend of all the neighbouring poor." 
 
 Canto ITI. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 89 | 
 
 So may life gently ebb from birth to grave, 
 
 Soothed by the thoughts which wisdom's path attend. 
 
 3- 
 Steering a course that flees both rock and shoal, 
 
 Delighting now in sunshine, now in shade, 
 Noiseless and safe may Man attain the goal, 
 
 Where Providence a place of rest hath made. 
 
 4- 
 Who scans the book of Nature, doth not need 
 
 Lessons of duty to the young or old ; 
 Jehovah wills that he who runs may read. 
 
 Where, knowledge yields, of price and form untold. 
 
 5- 
 Who hath not seen beneath the crystal stream, 
 
 The polish'd pebble, variegate and bright : 
 Like sparkling gem it brilliantly doth gleam, 
 
 All rich with beauty, rosy tint, and light? 
 6. 
 Thus virtue shines in its own element ; 
 
 A kindred soil its lustre multiplies. 
 The future, mindful, gives to each event 
 
 The meed of praise which present time denies. 
 
go HEREFORDTA. 
 
 7- 
 A distant ray doth more intensely glow, 
 
 Familiarity doth lessen worth ! 
 Posterity, though late, doth justice do, 
 
 When unrequited merit leaves the Earth. 
 8. 
 A prophet hath no honour in his day, 
 
 Nor earns he favour in his native land ; 
 But when the sainted spirit flies away. 
 
 His tomb is garnish'd by a stranger hand ! 
 II. 
 How Providence hath graced thy ancient shire, 
 Old Hereford, the Muse with feeble lyre 
 Hath sung ; and ere she close the lettered page, 
 Whedier or not it lives a day, or age. 
 Duty and lo\ e would fain her lay extend. 
 Where fancies with the rural picture blend, — 
 To scribe their names, whose virtue, deed, or mind 
 Have ever ser\'ice done to human kind ! 
 Then, who so fit to lead the goodly roll. 
 As Guillim learned, witty, quaint old soul. 
 Father of heraldr}-, and blazoned lore. 
 On whose illumined tome the students pore, 
 
HEREFORDIA. 91 
 
 Puzzled with strange beasts, fishes, and a train 
 Of symbols coined in mythologic brain ! 
 Roger of Hereford, a century 
 Ere Bacon lived, versed in astronomy, 
 A treatise wrote upon Astrology, 
 With book on metals couched most daintily. 
 
 III. 
 Few Sees can boast of bishops such a line, 
 Whose learning, piety and goodness shine ; 
 Lavish of gold they raised their ancient seat. 
 The Minster grand, religion's calm retreat ! 
 There, Putta, Milfred, ruled when first it rose, 
 Athelstane next, who, (later scribes suppose). 
 Founded the present pile. Then did succeed 
 Lozing, Raynelm, Bruce, De Bethune : these, we read, 
 The fabric finished. By the liberal aid 
 Of Joanna de Bohun soon was made 
 The Lady Chapel, glory of the place ! 
 Of Bishops Booth and Audley then we trace 
 The work ; and next, of Bishop Stanbury, 
 The latter sent to Sarum's richer see. 
 The list gives scholars great and not a few, 
 De Breton, Fox, Hoadley, Skipp, (prelates, too) : 
 
92 HEREFORD! A. 
 
 The famed Miles Smith who Glo'ster's mitre w ore, 
 
 And Huntingford his honours meekly bore. 
 
 Musgrave beloved, alas ! too early gone, 
 
 Then ably filled Saint Cantiliipe's fair throne, 
 
 Who, rightly borne to Ebor's stately chair. 
 
 Next ruled with firm but kindly spirit there. 
 
 In him were blended, for his office high. 
 
 Due meekness, reverence, and charity ; 
 
 And best of all, the wisdom which doth teach 
 
 Christ's minister to practice more than preach : 
 
 He through long life observed Mith constant \ itw 
 
 Precepts praised by many, kept but by few. 
 
 Nor did the lofty Wolsey think too mean 
 
 Of Hereford, and so was once its dean, 
 
 Step lowest of the hill he dared to climb, 
 
 Ne'er since attain'd, — rough, dangerous, yet sublime ! 
 
 IV. 
 
 Henry the Fifth, though on its confines born, 
 
 Within the county hpent his childhood's morn, 
 
 ^\'as bred at Bicknor, in the family 
 
 Of the then powerful Earl of SalL-bury. 
 
 Flis nurse's tomb, with effigy is set 
 
 There, in the church of fair Saint Margaret. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 93 
 
 In later times, the canon Phillips claims 
 Our praise, whose loyalty past history names. 
 As having lodged some days at Withington 
 Prince Charles, in the year sixteen fifty-one. 
 After Worcester's .battle, when on his head 
 A price was set, but happily not paid. 
 Nor must we slight the good old clerk's grandson, 
 John Phillips, who, our famous Cider on. 
 In classic verse (with other poems) wrote. 
 As bard and scholar stamping him with note. 
 The poet Davies too, and Gerthenge, then 
 Whom Fuller names as "having used the pen. 
 The best in England." The first lived to be 
 
 Master in writing to the Prince Henry ! 
 If gallantry and courage, honored be. 
 
 The noble Cornewall needs no eulogy ; 
 
 Who, in his ship, the mighty Marlborough proved 
 
 How English tars can fight ; how much he loved 
 
 His country ; and, there, dying off Toulon, 
 
 From the opposing hosts their praises won. 
 v. 
 
 Save, for one fault — and who is free from sini — 
 
 The city needs not blush for fair Nell Gwynne, 
 
94 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The once poor apple-girl, then favourite, 
 
 Of gay King Charles, born near the palace-site, 
 
 Where, long, her grandson. Lord James Beauclerc, wore 
 
 Hereford's mitre. Honour well he bore 
 
 To his ancestress ; her, ^^■hose charity, 
 
 For our brave soldiers' weal her sympathy. 
 
 The Ho:ri)iu"Ll at Chelsea did endow, 
 
 A work of lij\'e which marks her memory now ! 
 
 For sterling worth, the' fine old gentleman, 
 
 The friend of rich and poor, we ne'er may scan, 
 
 CJeers Cotterell's fellow. Whilst Garnons rears 
 
 Its head, his name throughout succeeding years 
 
 Will be the pleasing theme of old and young, 
 
 Still dear to hearts, in their affections strong ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 For love of Nature, philosophic mind, 
 
 In learning skill'd, all men of taste refin'd, 
 
 U\Lil,ile Price, the gentle brothers. Knight, 
 
 .\ trio form, rare, excellent, and bright ! 
 
 To those delighting in black-lettered lore, 
 
 A\'ho F'osbiook's, Meyrick's, Duncumb's works explore. 
 
 Their deep research and patience will descry, 
 
 Safe pioneers in art and history ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 95 
 
 And Havard, come of low but honest birth, 
 Claims eulogy for industry and worth. 
 The generous aid his fortune freely shed 
 On youth deserving, in the county bred : 
 And deeply versed in archseologic field. 
 Whose labours ancient treasure oft revealed. 
 Uniting too, rich fund of anecdote. 
 With local customs, and events of note, 
 Dean Merewether, Wathen, Webb, and Bird, 
 Will long be mention'd with a kindly word ! 
 
 vii. 
 Whilst Avon's Swan his magic sceptre sways. 
 For deathless song, sweet poesy, and plays, 
 Must Garrick's fame endure. His genius rife 
 To Shakspeare's thoughts gave force, and fire, and life. 
 Suiting the actor in his wondrous part. 
 Absorbing person, character, and heart. 
 Portrayed in narrow bound of mimic stage, 
 Th' awaken'd spirits of a former age. 
 Though late, yet loved, whilst sounds the sacred song. 
 And voices soft in swelling measures throng, 
 The hearers pause to catch the notes again, 
 Th' impassion'd tones of Whitfield's solemn strain. 
 
96 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 And when the Nation's loyal anthem peals — 
 
 " God save the Queen " upon the organ swells, 
 
 The ancient College doth take honour full, 
 
 Her hall associate with the fame of Bull, 
 
 The author of that soul-inspiring song, 
 
 Whose strains from year to year our tongues prolong. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And whilst we care for learning, and for youth. 
 Their early training and their moral growth. 
 The Muse would speak with gratitude and pride ; 
 For, Gilbert, Langford, Somerset, divide 
 The noble work by them so well design'd. 
 The school to educate our children's mind. 
 Nor fails the hand which pens these feeble lays, 
 To trace slight tribute of his love and praise, 
 For one, whose guidance led, in truant youth. 
 His early bent to science and to truth ! 
 Nature, history, music, and the lore. 
 On which the classic mind delights to pore, 
 Find students here : so, homage Art receives. 
 And o'er the youthful sculptor, Jennings, grieves ; 
 '\^'ho, had he chanced maturer years to gain, 
 \Vould not have plied his taste and skill in vain. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 97 
 
 With gifted pencil, Cox's veteran hand, 
 In sparlding landscape held supreme command ; 
 O'er tangled thicket, leafy lane, and dell. 
 Threw sunny gleams, the rainbow's magic spell. 
 Whilst, too, in glowing tints our painters speak, 
 The canvas teems with Beauty's smiling cheek, 
 And Lucy's genius ever will survive. 
 The lineaments of Kyrle sublime shall live ! 
 From England's annals, in her darker hour, 
 Scenes, full of tragic incidents and power. 
 His later works with vivid force portray. 
 Worthy of Art in its most palmy day. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Spirit of Faith, of holy thought and word, 
 Thy bhssful reign and sacred shrine record. 
 Spirit of Faith, thy visions bright we see 
 Through Jesus' Cross in Time's Eternity ! 
 Spirit of Charity, thy teachings mild 
 Disenthral the soul, leave it undefiled ; 
 Prompting the heart to love, the hand to sliare 
 The woes to which humanity is heir ; 
 To soothe the wants of infancy and age. 
 The chilling gripe of penury assuage. 
 
98 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Thus shaped thy life, so sweet thy memory, 
 That ne'er a monument shall needed be, 
 Talbot ; whilst yon fair House with ample door, 
 ^\'ith skill and comfort cheers the suffering poor 
 Whilst Herefordia holds her honour'd name, 
 Recorded, there, shall be thy lasting fame. 
 
4^ -* '"'-■ /~ ' 
 
SUBJIXT. 
 
 Song. — A Parallel between Foreign Countries and England. — 
 Natural Tendency of Man to re.spect his Place of Birth. — 
 Reflections on the Past, Present, and Future. — Appeal to the 
 Reader. — Plereford as seen from Aylstone Hill and Brooniy 
 Hill. — Allusion to Changes in the Scenery. — The Railway. — 
 Increase of Plouses in the \'icinit\'. — May Dance on Broomy 
 llill. — Reference to the Halterail, or P.laLk Mountain. — The 
 Holy Mountain.— May-PIill and Mah-ern Flills. — The Catholic 
 Cathedral at Pclmont. — The Two New Churches of St. 
 Nicholas and St. Martin.— The Churches of St. Peter and 
 All Saints, and the Cathedral. — Legend of the Spirit of the 
 Wye. — The Hospitality shewn by the People of Herefordshire 
 to Strangers. — The Generous Disposition of the Men. — High 
 Character of the Female Sex. — The Produce of the County, 
 Cattle, Sheep, I lorscs, Apples, Hops, Cyder, Fruit, and Corn. 
 — The Gleaners' Song. — ^Mlusion to the fine Timber grown in 
 the DiNlrict, and the celebrated Uak Trees at Sarnsfield, 
 Eastwood, Mnci.is, and Eardisley. — Reflection on the great 
 Blessings conferred by Pro\ idence on the Country generally, 
 and the mutual Obligations under which Persons are ]Jaced 
 one to the other, both as Individuals and Citizens. — Con- 
 clusion. 
 
I. 
 Away, away, to sunny lands and skies, 
 
 Where cloud-wreath'd mountains don a cap of snow ! 
 Away, away, where dark-eyed houri vies. 
 
 And chains the heart with passion's fervid glow. 
 
 Away, away, to Italy's soft clime, 
 
 Where lake and streamlet lave the vine-clad vales ; 
 Away, away, where tinkling cymbals chime. 
 
 And fair-hair'd maidens chaunt their love-lorn tales. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Auay, away, where fields uf (iold abound, 
 
 AVhere grape and pomegran't swell the wine-crown'd feast ; 
 Away, away, \\here sparkling gems are found. 
 
 To fairy gardens in the gorgeous East. 
 
 4- 
 Away, away, and lake your pleasure's fill ; 
 
 O'er Earth and Sea in search of Beauty roam 
 Then sated, sigh for England's dale and hill, 
 
 The jo\' and comfort of your own dear Home. 
 5- 
 Slight not that Home of Liberty and Peace, 
 
 The Land which yields thee wealth and social love ; 
 A\'hose La\vs, to fetter'd Slaves, ensure release, 
 
 And to thy Sons the Jiope of bliss abo\'e ! 
 
 I. 
 Distant and mean though be the spot of earth, 
 A\'hich, once his home, still owns the wanderer's birth, 
 \e\. thoughts and scenes familiar to the eye, 
 (When age recurs to sparkling infanc)'). 
 Return, like fancies in a morning dream, 
 Prove but brief j())s, though real all would seem ! 
 
HEREFORD! A. 103 
 
 Bright was the sun of Hope in childhood's day, 
 Lighter the heart that chased dull Care away ; 
 The hearth more gay which held the social throng, 
 Sweeter the voice that hymn'd the sacred song. 
 The face remains (the form is gone above), 
 With smiles that speak a parent's ceaseless love ; 
 Like angels watching o'er a soul that tries. 
 Vainly, to join them in their paradise ! 
 How oft in gloomy haze the Future lowers. 
 The Present weeps in melancholy hours. 
 And yet the Past, by tender link, revives 
 The bliss which love in kindred heart conceives ! 
 
 II. 
 Now tell me, dear Companion of my song, 
 Wearied or pleased upon the wayside long, 
 Com'st thou, a stranger from a land remote, 
 With ear and eye quick to perceive and note ; 
 Perchance, returning after years of toil. 
 And grief, again thou tread' st thy native soil ; 
 To clasp old friends in sweet and firm embrace. 
 Once more the haunts of infant-years to trace 1 
 Then join me on the brow of Athelstane, 
 Thence view the ancient City in the plain ; 
 
104 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 And climb again old Broomy's grassy hill, 
 
 Where Contemplation loves to linger still. 
 
 There, see the change so late come o'er the scene, 
 
 \Miere Vaga flows through daisied banks serene ; 
 
 These spann'd afresh with bridge of iron form, 
 
 The path for Railway, broad, and strong, and warm ; 
 
 Where shoots the engine with its valve of steam, 
 
 A giant coursing with unearthly team, 
 
 Tearing along by strange, expansive power. 
 
 As many miles as minutes count the hour ! 
 
 in. 
 Nature yet smiles; but here and there intrude 
 Clusters of houses on her neighbourhood ; 
 With sounds of voices, marks of human feet, 
 Outnumb'ring those we once, on May-morn sweet. 
 Led through the dance in joyance and in ease. 
 On Broomy's slope, beneath her aged trees. 
 A screen from western winds, dark Hatterail 
 By mountain-range protects the fertile vale : 
 Where Hereford on Monmouth's border ends. 
 High, steep, and clear, the Holy Mount ascends; 
 Thence onward glancing, in the dappled east, 
 May-Hill and Malvern's outlines soft are traced. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 105 
 
 But close at hand, where Behnont-woods surround, 
 A gothic pile surmounts the rising ground, 
 A rival beauty, viewing with disdain 
 Saints Nicholas and Martin in the plain. 
 These dwarf-like seem, when quietly survey'd 
 Beneath the Minster's high and ample shade, 
 Back'd by All Saints, Saint Peter's tap'ring fane. 
 Whence Lacey fell, — by accident was slain. 
 Who roams along the River's peaceful shore, 
 Recalling incidents of Legend-lore, 
 Can fail to raise the soul's ecstatic part, 
 Mark scenes which please the eye and touch the heart ; 
 Watching the hours, as on the Dial's face, 
 The march of Time all silently they trace ? 
 I. 
 
 List to the young Lark's carol high, 
 
 Soft warbling through the Summer sky ; 
 
 See, see, the Sun's declining beam, 
 
 With golden streak, paints Vaga's stream : 
 
 All clothed in shadows deep and red, 
 
 Fair Belmont lifts her classic head. 
 
 And breathing sweets o'er bank and bower, 
 
 Now welcomes Evening's soothing hour. 
 
io6 HEREFORDIA, 
 
 2. 
 
 The busy crowd doth cease to bear 
 Theh" wonted burthens, toil, and care. 
 The Wind, o'erstrain'd, its functions flies ; 
 Labour in quiet shimbtr lies : 
 And Pain and Sorrow, eased, forego 
 Their keenest pang, their bitterest woe ; 
 Ambition slacks its onward race, 
 Rti>ii.-,c now reigns o'er Nature's face. 
 
 As Day recedes behind the ^\'est, 
 Kissing the clouds on Heaven's brea.st. 
 Grey twilight hails the crescent Moon, 
 Quetn of the Night in balmy June : 
 And \roo(-d by Zephyr's breath serene, 
 Mute Contemplation ^■iews the scene, 
 Vi'here near the River's liquid way, 
 IJeauty and Love enraptured stray. 
 
 4- 
 Now lost for once in silvery shroud, 
 Pale Luna hides in fleecy cloud : 
 Hark ! trilling on the ravish'd ear. 
 Sweet Philomel sings soft and clear, 
 
HEREFORDIA. to; 
 
 And darting from the osiers' side, 
 A fairy skiff ascends the tide : 
 Plaintive and low, a maiden's wail 
 Now emulates the sigliing gale. 
 
 5- 
 In slender shallop, swift and light, 
 The River-Spirit haunts the Night ; 
 Repeats her lone unhappy tale, 
 All widow'd, joyless, thin, and pale. 
 Shaping her" course where once did gleam. 
 Her lover's barque on Vaga's stream, 
 She still pursues the midnight-wave, 
 With dirge laments his bloody grave. 
 6. 
 " Weave me a ■vvreath, a cypress wreath, 
 Bring streamers from the willow grove ; 
 Senseless and cold the sod beneath. 
 Lies all I mourn, lies all I love. 
 
 " Weave me a wreath, a cypress wreath. 
 
 And with me weep, fair swan, and dove ; 
 Wasting and low, the sod beneath. 
 Lies all I've lost, lies all I love. 
 
io8 HERKF()];DIA. 
 
 " Light of my soul, star of my life, 
 
 Nature, and I for thee must mourn. 
 Till death shall end my pining grief, 
 Our ashes mingle in one urn." 
 
 IV. 
 
 If stranger rove within this ancient shire, 
 
 The rambler finds the kindest welcome here : 
 
 Generous and warm, the sons of Hereford 
 
 All comers greet, at their well-furnish'd board. 
 
 Rig] it cold is he to female beauty's charm. 
 
 If thy fair daughters ne'er his heart disarm. 
 
 By grace, good-nature, and fresh, blooming cheek, 
 
 Armour 'gainst which Creation's lords are weak ! 
 
 True love and loyall}-, like roses, twine, 
 
 So e'er unrivall'd do thy maidens shine. 
 
 If monarchs be by rustic beauty won. 
 
 Folk smaller must the soft impeachment own : 
 
 Hound, soft and crimson'd as the apples fair. 
 
 Their lips enticing, and resistless are ; 
 
 Who tastes them once, will suiely ne'ei- refrain, 
 
 Ere he f agcts to steal a kiss again. 
 
GOODRICH COURT, AND GOODRICH CASTLE. 
 
 ' Within few steps, the stranger may descry 
 Fair Goodrich Court and Castle rising high." 
 
 Canto III. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 109 
 
 V. 
 
 The strength and sinew which thy yeomen yield, 
 
 To guard their homes, and plough the fertile field ; 
 
 The fleecy flocks and kine of purest breed ; 
 
 Horses for draught, or train'd to greater speed ; 
 
 Large stores of edibles to market borne, 
 
 With apples, cyder, hops, and fruit, and corn, 
 
 Form but few items of the ample hoard, 
 
 The staple growth of fine old Hereford. 
 
 Then, hear the Gleaners' Song, its loud encore. 
 
 Through green glades, hark ! their joyous strains now pour. 
 
 Hie to the busy field, the busy field. 
 
 Where poppies wave so lightly. 
 Then thread the meads, where lambs conceal'd, 
 
 E'er join in frolics sprightly. 
 2, 
 Bright as the Sun, that cheers the day, 
 
 The Reaper's Sickle gleameth ; 
 And swift as lightning clears its way. 
 
 Where yellow Barley streameth ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 3- 
 Then up the hill, and down the dale, 
 
 Come, lasses, trip it Ughtly; 
 O'er hedge and ditch, through brake and vale 
 
 Where Fairies pace it nightly. 
 
 4- 
 
 Rise, quickly rise, and brush the dew, 
 ^Vhich drapes brown Autumn's morning ; 
 
 Thick clover-grass fast scamper through. 
 To glean the Corn at dawning. 
 
 Kind Providence guards rich and poor, 
 
 His mercy ever bideth ; 
 For great and small, His boundless store 
 
 A Harvest full provideth. 
 6. 
 Then ridge by ridge o'er fields now roam : 
 
 The largest sheaf he beareth,^ 
 Who, ere he takes his burthen home, 
 
 Nor time nor labour spareth ! 
 
 VI. 
 
 Here, too, the Oak, the forest-king appears. 
 Of aspect nolilc, rich in shade and years, 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 With lofty elm, the graceful ash and yew, 
 
 The beech and willow, pride of sylvan view, 
 
 Whose leaves prove grateful to the feather'd throng, 
 
 Which cheers the summer day with tuneful song. 
 
 He rightly sees thy sylvan glories shine. 
 
 Where stature, strength, and grand proportions shine, 
 
 Their giant limbs extending broad and high, 
 
 At Sarnsfield, Eastwood, Moccas, Eardisley ; 
 
 Who then doth think how many pelting storms, 
 
 And wintry blasts have rack'd their stalwart forms, 
 
 Must own the Power which rears from tiny seed 
 
 Such wondrous trees, must be Divine indeed. 
 
 The work of man, to live a day, a year, 
 
 Wants constant care, material repair ; 
 
 But Providence to plants, in age and youth. 
 
 Vouchsafes self-nurture, self-defence, and growth : 
 
 By such gives shelter to the beast and bird. 
 
 On all both use and ornament conferr'd ! 
 
 VII. 
 
 Since Providence hath bless'd the fruitful land. 
 His bounties scatter'd with a liberal hand ; 
 Should not the mind its denizens e'er train 
 To thoughts and works, wherein their interests join ? 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Who wealth enjoys, to him a trust is given, 
 
 T' administer the sacred gift of Heaven ; 
 
 To migitate stern Want and Poverty, 
 
 Encourage useful Knowledge, Industry ; 
 
 Respect the rights which man from man may aslc. 
 
 Make equal laws, the sage's noblest task. 
 
 If this were done. Corruption soon must cease, 
 
 And hated War succumb to arts of Peace ; 
 
 No tricksters, then for public place and pay, 
 
 Would e'er debase the crowd in open day ; 
 
 Nor forced by petty shifts to hold their rule. 
 
 Ne'er rob the State, the Nation's sense befool. 
 
 Small evils are not cared for, so we bear 
 
 The yoke, until it be too bad to wear. 
 
 Nor till their reign a rankling nuisance grows, 
 
 To crush it will the Public Mind propose : 
 
 Who dares, by wiles, to win your confidence. 
 
 To pilfer next, will quickly make pretence. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Diogenes, to find an honest man. 
 With lamp in hand the thoroughfares did scan. 
 The Muse, to seek a statesman great and true. 
 Must lantern use, and double glasses too ! 
 
HEREFORDIA. 113 
 
 Red tape, and nepotism, and low deceit, 
 
 Now form, alas ! the common counterfeit : 
 
 From rulers such let all devoutly pray 
 
 That fate will rid us at an early day. 
 
 Should Patriots again (a race like Peel), 
 
 Within Saint Stephen's Hall their light reveal. 
 
 The Muse might hail Britannia's sky more clear. 
 
 Reform and Progress, stars ascendant there. 
 
 Where England reigns, by far a higher aim 
 
 Than empty sov'reignty should wreath her name. 
 
 Conquest alone can give no moral right 
 
 To stranger-lands, to rule by threat and might. 
 
 For practised wrongs possession is no plea ; 
 
 Civilization, — Christianity 
 
 Are but the cover to Hypocrisy, 
 
 When made the means of loss and misery 
 
 To people far-removed, who neither need 
 
 England's doubtful friendship, her rule, or aid. 
 
 Thy recent trials in the troubled East, 
 
 Where civil discord made a bloody feast, 
 
 Should e'er a warning and a lesson prove. 
 
 Those, who would reign by force and not by love, 
 
114 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Will, soon or late, in fearful conflict be 
 ^Vith the sad objects of their cruelty ; 
 Nor will the foe Death's messenger recall, 
 E'en though the guiltless with the guilty fall. 
 
 IX. 
 
 'Tis best be poor, than feel the galling stain 
 Of fraud and wrong assail our smallest gain ; 
 Ill-gotten wealth hath wings and curses too, 
 Pangs bitterer than griping Want e'er knew : 
 'J'hen, say, Britannia, (the World's fair Queen), 
 Is thy sceptre bright, thy hand fair and clean 1 
 Though to thy sway thy sons allegiance owe. 
 Yet, there are duties thou may'st not forego ; 
 To comfort, aid, encourage by reward, 
 The men whose lives thy island-fortress guard ; 
 To keep implicit faith in work and word, 
 So that thy pledge to others' be preferr'd ; 
 To stifle strife, befriend the poor and weak. 
 To do the right thou dost in precepts speak ; 
 Justice to lo\e, and so exemplify, 
 By holy deeds, thy Christianity ! 
 How comes it then, that Lucre pa^•eH the way 
 To thy councils : that ^\'ealth, in grand ana)', 
 
HEREFORDIA. 115 
 
 All honour wins ; that Vice, in splendour set, 
 
 Is current passport to a Coronet 1 
 
 How fare thy brave defenders, rough but true 1 
 
 Requited how the perils they go through 1 
 
 Privations, hardships, ever bear a price. 
 
 Four groats a day may possibly suffice ; 
 
 And what, for faults, how venal though they be. 
 
 The knotted scourge is't fitting penalty 1 
 
 A sin so foul, the Muse would fain disclaim ; 
 
 But England owns it, to her lasting shame ! 
 
 To say "that Britons never shall be slaves," 
 
 Is idle boast, whilst o'er thy children waves 
 
 The hateful lash. Far worse than slaves they be. 
 
 The mangled victims of such tyranny ! 
 
 The Law which such injustice perpetrates. 
 
 The State which wanton Torture tolerates. 
 
 In Christian practice have no real place. 
 
 Wanting its Mercy, Charity, and Grace ! 
 
 X. 
 
 Ere quits the Muse, a scene so soft and fair, 
 Which breathes of home, and parents' early care. 
 She now would weave in this, her parting song, 
 Their honour'd names, whose love so deep and long, 
 
ii6 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 A glow of sunshine throws around her heart, 
 Not to be quench'd till life and she shall part ! 
 To wish them here, were idle, wild, and vain, 
 To vex their souls with mortal coils again ; 
 Their present bliss this would too keenly mar, 
 The which her anxious Mind must yearn to share : 
 And distant though the sweet re-union be, 
 Hope augurs joy as grows its certainty ! 
 
 XI. 
 
 Farewell, then, Herefordia ! Thy pure fame 
 Is to the Bard dear as his humble name. 
 Thy ancient boundary speaks to him of home . 
 Whate'er he sees, where'er his footsteps roam, 
 Recall sweet memories, such as may no more 
 Be tasted, save on Heaven's eternal shore. 
 Where all things shine with glory, life, and hght, 
 The Father, Son, and Spirit Infinite ! 
 The theme is endless, and the Muse too weak 
 Thy beauties all in fitting words to speak, 
 She, loth, must flee to ruder scenes afar, 
 Where, congregated thousands, hustling jar ; 
 Where, trade and commerce busy traffic drive, 
 The scholar, politician earnest strive. 
 
HEREFORDIA. 117 
 
 And ermined lawyers sit in grave debate, 
 Adjusting grievous wTongs in Churcli and State. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Adieu ! Herefordia ! — Farewell ! sweet Wye ! 
 On thy green banks fain would I listless lie, 
 Court soothing Sleep, sister of pulseless Death, 
 Closing the eye, but not the living breath ; 
 And binding Reason, whilst, through airy groves 
 Unchained and loose. Imagination roves : 
 Revels in dreams, which, like to frosted flowers. 
 Fly, when the sun of life his morn-beam showers : 
 And when exhausted proves the vital sand, 
 My soul is wafted to the better land. 
 Let friendly hands, with simple tribute, trace 
 A corner there for my last resting place ! 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Next to our Kindred doth our Country come, 
 The spot which gives us birth, our childhood's home. 
 No object, there, of beauty, love, or tie. 
 In after-years escapes the meinory. 
 
ii8 
 
 HEREFORDIA, 
 
 As the pure Soul doth yearn for holy Truth, 
 The Mind reviews the haunts of early youth : 
 Where'er we wander, be it east or west, 
 That place, recall'd, appears the last and best. 
 So, did the Muse this pleasing task essa}-, 
 With Herefordia link her lengthen'd lay. 
 
 END OF THE 1'0F.^T. 
 
CANTO I. 
 
 The County of Hereford comprises a portion of tlie ancient Siluria 
 wliich extended over Monmouthsliire, the Forest of Dean, and the 
 whole of South Wales, except the County of Pembroke. This 
 district was inhabited by the Dimets Tribes. That part of Here- 
 fordshire, lying west of the parish of Byford, and now stretching 
 to Radnorshire and Brecon, is said to have been formerly in- 
 cluded in Wales. A portion of the localities enumerated in the 
 poem, — namely Ludlow, Tintern, and Chepstow, — do not properly 
 belong to the County of Hereford ; but, they are comprised in the 
 Diocese, which extends over a large portion of Shropshire, and 
 a part of Monmouthshire. 
 
 " /« deep defile, beneath the granite coney 
 
 The range of hills, known as tlie Plinlimmon, situate partly in the 
 Counties of Radnor and Montgomery, commences a few miles 
 above the Town of Rhayader. In these hills, the highest point of 
 which rises 2463 feet above the level of the sea, is the spring from 
 which the River Wye (anciently called the Vaga, from its meander- 
 ing course) originates. The source also of its sister stream, the 
 Severn, is to be found in the same mountain-district. The Wve, as 
 
122 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 indicated in tlie poem, descends from its hilly bed, and on its way 
 forms a wide and beautiful cataract, a short distance from Rhayader, 
 where it finds its le\el. It passes from thence to Penybont, Builth, 
 Hay, Hereford, Ross, Monmoutli, and Chejistow, falling about two 
 miles below the latter place, into the broad channel of the Severn. 
 The Plinlimmon Hills, although of high elevation, comprise a 
 series of undulating surfaces rather than a mountainous ridge of 
 \ery prominent elevation. These hills, by their peculiar form, 
 afforded a slielter to the renowned ^\'clsh chieftain, Owen (den- 
 dwr, Avho, with a force only of 120 men, in the year 1401, was 
 enabled, for several months, to withstand the attacks of an army 
 greatly superior both in numbers and appliances. 
 
 " The river u>i)tds Hav church and castle nigh." 
 
 The town of Hay, or, as it is usually styled, "The Hav,'' situate 
 on the confines of Brecon, is only separated from Herefordshire by 
 the ri\ er "Wye. It has some historical associations with the doings 
 of Llewellyn and King John. By the latter, the castle was destroyed, 
 in the )X'ar 1216, and, with the exception of a gothic gateway, there 
 are not now any remains of much intere.st to the antiquarian. It is 
 a singular fact, that the town of Monmouth is similarly separated 
 from Herefordshire only by the AX^e. Ludlow also abuts on the 
 county, being isolated from it by the river Teame ; and Hereford- 
 shire, in like manner, adjoins XVorcestcrsliire, close to the town of 
 Tenbury. The town of Xcw Radnor, also, is situate not far dis- 
 tant from Herefordshire, on its south-western boundary. 
 
 " So (/roof's Dc ClifforiTs sironghohi bleak and bare!' 
 
 " Clifford ( 'astle," which stands upon the north bank of the ri\-er 
 Wye, was built by William Lit/l )/l)iirne, Earl of Hereford, but was 
 held at the time of the Dooms{la\- Book by Rudolphus de Totenie. 
 It was ac(]uired liy the Cliftbrds by the marriage of Walter Fitz- 
 Richard with iMargaret, daughter of Ralph de Cundy. A\'alter 
 Fitz-Richard, being a descendant of Richard 11., Duke of Normandy, 
 whose father accompanied the C'iin(|ueror into England, and, having 
 married the heiress of Ralph de C'undv, of Cliftbrd Castle, took the 
 name of De Clifford. The place continued to be the baronial 
 seat of the family for two cenUiries. 
 
 Here was born the too celebrated lad\', of whom Dryden says: — 
 
 " [anc Cliflnrd ^\ as her iinmc, os IkxjIvs declare, 
 l''.iir RtisxniofKt wMs l)iit lier )ioiii </<■ 'Mi^-rrcT 
 
NOTES TO CANTO I. 123 
 
 She was daughter of one of the Earls of Clifford, and became 
 celebra:ed for her amours widi King Henry II., who built her a 
 tower, in Woodstock Park, which he defended from his jealous wife 
 by the classical device of a labyrinth. Queen Eleanor, however, 
 who was as well read in ancient history as her spouse, was not slow 
 in hitting upon the expedient of finding the clue of the thread and 
 in reaching her rival. The historical romances add, that she com- 
 pelled this unfortunate lady to swallow poison. Whatever may 
 have been her fate. Fair Rosamond was buried at Godstow, and the 
 following Latin epitaph is inscribed on her tomb : — 
 
 •* Hie jacet in tomba, 
 Non Kosamonda sed Rosa Mumli, 
 Non redolet, sed olet, 
 Qui redolere solet. " 
 
 It has been translated thus : — 
 
 " Here lies not Rose the Chaste, but Rose the Fair, 
 Wliose breath perfumes no more, but taints the air." 
 
 The ruins of Clifford Castle, completely covered with i\'y, look 
 down solemn and sad upon the Wye : — 
 
 " Clifford has fallen, howe'er sublims. 
 Mere fragments wrestle still with time, 
 Yet as they perish, sad and slow, 
 And rolling dash the streams below, 
 They raise traditions gloomy scene, 
 The clue of silk and wrathful queen, 
 And link in memory's fairest bond, 
 The love-born tale of Rosamond." 
 
 " 0:i H;rcfoi-d,f.iir City of the Wye'' 
 
 The city of Hereford is of great antiquity, and in the time of tlie 
 Heptarchy, was the capital of the Mercian kingdom. It stands 
 about 250 feet above the sea-level, on a deposit of gravel, 900 acres 
 in extent, and from 15 to 33 feet in depth. The rocks of which 
 this gravel is mainly composed, have been idenrified with those 
 found some forty miles higher up the river Wye, in the valley of 
 the Ithon, and in the vicinity of Builth and Rhayader. The 
 population of the city and its liberties was 12,108 in the year 1851 ; 
 it has since, however, much increased through the advantages of 
 being made the centre of four important railways, namely, the Ross 
 and Gloucester, the Hereford and Newport, the Shrewsbury, and the 
 
124 Ht:REF()RDIA. 
 
 Worcester lines. All of these rail\\a}'s are now completed, except 
 the lat.er, which is now in course of formation from Malvern; and a 
 fifth line is projected to Hay and llrccon. 
 
 The present site of the cit}- was, during the Roman era, occupied 
 by a vinaij,c, called, by the fliitons, CaerlTaH)dd, or the Beech 
 Town. 'I'hc existinij; city became, in the year .-H6, the capital of 
 the principality of Mercia, and was called by the Anglo-Saxons 
 Fi-r///ixi\ or the place of Ferns. The origin of the name Hereford 
 has been the subject of much speculation. The Anglo-Saxon words, 
 ■' Jfere-I-Ford" or, " Here is a I'ord," ha\e been mentioned as 
 probable derixations, but the necessity of a secoid Saxon name does 
 not appear, theyfri/ ha\ing been 7r;7;/<;^'-('. " Hearde-ford. a "Ford 
 for herds" has also been suggested. The Britons, no doubt, pre- 
 ferred a name of their own, and on the disappearance of the 
 Beeches, would probably find another. This could be readily pre- 
 sented in the Roman Road from Ma^^iia to JVigoniia (Worcester), 
 which passes at about a mile distance to the north of the city. 
 He/ifford, signifying "The Old Road," is the modern ^\'elsh name ; 
 another supposed deri\'ation is Garjcd/ordd, or "the Rough-road," 
 gutturals being often dropped in the transition from one tongue to 
 another ; thus, FreiiinK^ " The ( )rchard," the ancient British name 
 of this part of Siluria. Haroldfort has also been mentioned as its 
 possible origin, the castle of Hereford having, after the ravages of 
 the Welsh, in 1055, been strongb' repaired bv Harold^ afterwards 
 king. In ancient maps and (lcscrii)tions, the names Hariford and 
 Hoe ford frequenth' occur. 
 
 The historical incidents of the city are briefly sketched in the 
 poem, from the period of the Hejitarchy to the civil wars of 
 Charles I. The c\\\ was rewarded, after the Restoration, bv a new 
 charter, anil an augmentation of the cil\-arnis, with the motto. 
 IiiTictiC Fnciniiuii Fidelitatis. Since that period, no event of any 
 historical importance has occurred in the rit\' or county. 
 
 " Reft is Jier castle, all her ramparts lost." 
 
 The castle of Hereford is described by I.eland as having been 
 one of the fairest, largest, and strongest fortifications in England. 
 It stood on the north bank of the Wye, slightly eastward of the 
 cathedral, and consisted of two wards. In the smaller, or western 
 one, on a lofl)- artificial mound, was the keep, which had ten semicir- 
 cular towers in the outer wall, and one great tower within, beneath 
 which was a dungeon. The dimensions of the eastern ward were. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO 11. 125 
 
 175 yards in the north and south, 196 in the east, and 100 in the 
 west. The smaller ward measured 100 yards on the south and east, 
 on the north and west were three sides, of sixty-five yards each. A 
 moat, crossed on the west side of the smaller tower, by a bridge of 
 s'one arches, with a drawbridge in the middle, surrounded the 
 whole. Ethelfleda, who died a.d. 920, and was succeeded in the 
 government of Mercia by her brother, Edward the Elder, com- 
 menced the castle and city wall. The latter was sixteen feet high, 
 and extended round the city on all sides except the south, where it 
 was defended by the river. Projecting from the wall at intervals 
 were fifteen semicircular embattled watch towers, thirty-four feet hi^h, 
 called from their shape, " half-moons," and having embrasures in the 
 shape of crosses in the centre for observation and the discharge of 
 arrows. Although portions of the wall have been rebuilt and 
 repaired since the days of Ethelfleda, the present scanty but interest- 
 ing remains undoubtedly stand on the ancient foundation. The 
 length of the wall was 1,800 yards, and that of the intervening space, 
 defended by the river, 550 ; the total circumference of the city 
 (intra-mural) being 2,350 yards. There were originally six gates, or 
 bars, at the principal entrances. A moat, which was obtained by 
 directing the course of a neighbouring brook, surrounded the wall, 
 and, until the recent alterations in and about the city, a shallow 
 stream remained in its place. 
 
 After the final subjugation of Wales by Edward I., the castle, 
 being no longer needed as a means of defence, was allowed to fall 
 into decay. Ruinous in the time of Leland, the devastation of civil 
 war, a century later, could not fail to accelerate its destruction, and 
 in 1652, subsequent to its gallant defence against the Scotch, by 
 Barnabas Scudamore, the materials of the building were seized as 
 royal property by the Parliamentary Commissioners, and disposed of 
 for £85, as their gross value. 
 
 CANTO II. 
 
 " To trace the growth of yon stupendous piUy 
 
 The history of the Cathedral church of Hereford, from its foundation 
 in the Saxon era, to the end of the eighteenth century, is briefly 
 sketched in the text. 
 
126 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The dignitaries and officers, attached to the cathedral, now in- 
 clude the bishop, dean, two archdeacons, four canons residentiary 
 (who, with the clean, form the chapter) ; the chancellor of the diocese, 
 chancellor of the cathedral, piecentor, succentor, praelector, trea- 
 surer and sub-treasurer, twenty-eight prebendaries (four prebendal 
 stalls being held by as many canons) ; the custos and vicars choral 
 of the college, an organist, a chapter-clerk, six lay deacons, and ten 
 choristers. 
 
 The stipends attached to seventeen of the prebends, have been, 
 by a recent act of parliament, transferred to the Ecclesiastical Com- 
 missioners ; a species of legalised spoliation, which, it is submitted, 
 can be justified on no reasonable grounds. It is conceived, that 
 these ancient institutions were intended to be conferred as rewards 
 upon distinguished members of tlie parochial clergy within the 
 diocese ; and as such they gave additional importance and dignity 
 to the cathedral establishment. 
 
 Nor can it be imagined how this act of spoliation was tacitly 
 assented to by the bishop of the diocese, who was (exce])t in one 
 ins;ance), the patron of all the prebendal stalls. It might, however, 
 have been rendered more tolerable had the emoluments been re- 
 tained, and had the prebendal dignity been incorporated with some 
 of the less valuable parochial preferments in the gift of the bishop. 
 But that the property of these strictly local appendages to the See 
 and Cathedral should have been appropriated by, and added to, the 
 funds of an ecclesiastical commission, wholly independent of, and 
 irresponsible to, the diocesan authorities, is an instance of the 
 grasi)ing manner in which parliament is allowed to deal with 
 private interests, and can only be accounted for on the principle of 
 " robbing Peter to pay Paul." 
 
 " T/ie a)icicnt CoIh-::^c with Us spacious Square." 
 
 The College, which is a corporation independent of the bishop 
 and the dean and cha])ter, at present consists of a custos and five 
 vicars choral. The Vicars, in the first ])lacc, are nominated liy the 
 Chapter, but are subject to rejection b)' their own body after a 
 year's probation. The custos is chosen for life, the choice gene- 
 rally falling on the Senior A'icar. 
 
 ^I"he college is built in form of a quadrangle, with obtuse arches, 
 opening into a lawn in the centre, and was erected about 1474. It 
 contains a hall, common room, chapter room, and a chapel, with 
 suites of apartments for the occupation of the members. The college 
 
NOTES TO CANTO 11. 127 
 
 garden adjoins the gardens and grounds of the bishop's palace, 
 being beautifully situate on the banks of the river Wye. Between 
 the cathedral and college is a cloister, connecting the two buildings, 
 one hundred and nine feet in length. 
 
 " Whilst aught is left of Cantiliipis fair shrine!' 
 
 The shrine of the eminent prelate, Thomas Cantilupe, stands 
 on the eastern side of the great northern transept, immediately 
 beneath the apartment now used as the library of the cathedral. 
 
 " So thy name, 
 Dean Merewether, shall survive to famel' 
 
 To the untiring zeal, exertions and excellent taste of the late Very 
 Rev. John Merewether, D.D., Dean, who died in the year 1850, 
 may be attributed the noble work of restoration of the cathedral, 
 which is now in course of completion. In it he was ably seconded 
 by the other members of the Chapter, and by the inhabitants of the 
 diocese, city, and county. 
 
 The altar-screen recently erected in the choir, was the gift of the 
 late Joseph Bailey, jun., Esq., one of the members of parliament for 
 the county, who died in the year 1850, greatly regretted by his 
 constituents, his family, and a large circle of friends. 
 
 " The neighbouring fanes surround it close at hand." 
 
 Two only of the ancient parochial churches within the city — those of 
 St. Peter and All Saints now remain ; the former situate at the head 
 St. Owen-street, and the latter at the junction of Eign-street and 
 Broad-street. The new churches of St. Nicholas and St. Martin are 
 without the city walls. The late Rev. John Hanbury, M.A., Rector 
 of St. Nicholas, and the late Rev. H. J. Symons, LL.D., Rector of 
 St. Martin, were actively engaged for some years in promoting the 
 erection of the respective edifices. 
 
 " Night wanes apace, the crowd are gone!' 
 
 The event described in the ballad, laid the foundation of the 
 future importance and prosperity of the Cathedral. The restless am- 
 bition of Offa, King of Mercia, prompted him to attack the neigh- 
 bouring kingdom of the East Angles, with a view of adding it to his 
 dominions, but he was defeated by the successful valour of Ethelbert. 
 Peace being subsequently concluded, Offa acceded to proposals of 
 
138 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 marriage between Ethelbert and his daughter Elfrida ; and the young 
 and unsuspecting prince attended, invited, at the palace of Offa, at 
 South-Town (now Sutton), with a splendid retinue, to treat for the 
 intended spousals. Quendreda, the queen of Offa, is recorded to 
 have prevailed upon her husband to violate the ties of hospitality 
 and humanity, and Ethelbert was treacherously murdered there, a.d. 
 793. His guards were dispersed; his kingdom, taken by surprise, 
 was annexed to the state of Mercia. The faithful Elfrida, who had 
 been betrothed, if not married to him, retired to Croyland Abbey ; 
 and Offa, seized with remorse, sought to appease his wounded 
 conscience by actions which, at the time, were thought to atone for 
 the deepest delinquency. Offa removed the body of Ethelbert from 
 Marden, where it had been privately buried, to the cathedral of Here- 
 ford, erecting over him a magnificent tomb, and endowed the church 
 with valuable gifts, chiefly situate in the vicinity of his own palace. 
 The known virtues of the murdered prince caused his shrine to be 
 visited as that of a martj'r ; and such was the fame of his miracles, 
 that the city and cathedral attained a degree of opulence from the 
 pious contributions of devoted pilgrims. 
 
 CANTO HI. 
 
 " Tlic Golden Valley anxiously cwflorc. 
 
 Where sport invites them to the s/'arklint; Dore." 
 
 DoRE i\.i;i;ia, more commonly called Alibey Doru (the name being 
 derived from the ri\L'r Doire or Dore), is a parish in the hundred of 
 Webtrcc, beautifully situate at the head of the ( lolden A'allc\-. The 
 church is dedicated to the hol\- Trinity and St. Mar\-, and consists 
 of a portion of the ancient abbey of White Monks. This was 
 founded in honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, in the reign of King 
 .Stephen, by Robert, son of Harold, Lord of Ewyas. It consisted of 
 an aljbut and eight monks, whose re\enue at the dissolution was 
 valued at fii8 js. The remains of the abbey, now forming tlie 
 parish church, are highly interesting lo the antiquary, and deri\e 
 additional beauty from their picturesque position. The late Re\'. 
 John Duncumb, iM.A., the historian of the county, preceded the 
 presf nt incumbent in the rectory, and was, besides his literary talent, 
 greatly rcspL-cted for his private personal worth and character. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO III. 129 
 
 " Moccas embosonid in her sylvan shade?' 
 
 Moccas Court, the seat of Sir Velters Cornwall, Bart, and Gar- 
 nons, the seat of Sir Henry Geers Cotterell, Bart., are beautifully 
 situate on the north and south banks of the river "Wye, about eight 
 miles from Hereford. Belmont, Rotherwas and Holm Lacy (the 
 mansions of Wegg Prosser, Esq., Charles Bodenham, Esq., and Sir 
 E. F. Scudamore Stanhope, Bart ), occupy equally beautiful sites, 
 nearer to the city. The poet Pope, whilst on a visit at Hohn 
 Lacy, wrote his well-known sketch, " The Man of Ross," in which 
 he so faithfully portrays the character of John Kyrle, so eminent for 
 his philanthropy and personal virtues. 
 
 " The scene extends till Ross and Goodrich nigh." 
 
 The town of Ross is said to have been founded from the ruins of 
 the Roman town " Ariconium," which stood at a short distance. It 
 was formerly a free borough, from the time of Henry III. to the 
 23rd year of Edward I., when it sent two members to parliament. 
 This privilege was subsequently and finally relinquished, on the 
 petition of the inhabitants in the following year. King Henry IV, 
 passed a night at Ross on his way to Monmouth to see his queen, 
 at the time his son and successor (Henry of Monmouth and hero of 
 Agincourt), was born. It is said that the king received intelligence 
 of the prince's birth from the ferryman at Goodrich, when he was 
 about to cross the river ; and that he gave the boat and ferry, which 
 were then the property of the crown, to the ferryman, in return for 
 the pleasing news. The unfortunate Charles I. slept at Ross in 
 J 645, on his way from Ragland Castle. 
 
 The living is a rectory and vicarage united, in the archdeaconry 
 and diocese of Hereford, in the patronage of the bishop. The 
 church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an irregularly-built though hand- 
 some edifice, with a lofty and well-proportioned spire, and stands 
 in -an extremely beautiful situation. The eastern window is orna- 
 mented with stained glass, and contains a figure of Thomas de 
 Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford, in the act of benediction. A weekly 
 market was granted to the town by King Stephen to Bishop Breton. 
 The bishops of Hereford had formerly a palace here, which is now 
 demoUshed ; and an old stone cross, called " Cob's Cross " (a cor- 
 ruption of "Corpus Christi Cross"), is still standing, and supposed 
 to be commemorative of the ravages of the plague, which visited 
 the town in the years 1635-6-7. 
 
13° HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The benevolent John Kyrle, Pope's " Man of Ross," died here, in 
 1724, aged eighty-eight, and lies buried in the cliurch, «here a rich 
 monument, with a medaUion, ^^as placed to his memory in 1776, 
 from a bequest by Lady Betty Duplin for that purpose. Ross was 
 the birth-place of John de Ross, a celebrated Doctor of Law, who 
 was established by the Pope in the bishopric of Carlisle, without any 
 election, in 1318, and who died in 1.331. 
 
 " TJic walls and lu'idi^e of ll'iltoii grace tlic scei/i-." 
 
 " Fair Goodrich Court and Castle rising high." 
 
 The bridge and ruined castle of Wilton are about a quarter of a 
 mile from Ross, being situate immediately in front of the Prospect. 
 
 Goodrich Court, the seat of Lady Laura Mepick (widow of Lieut- 
 Col. jMe>rick), is situate about three miles from Ross, and contains a 
 fine collection of armour, collected by the late .Sir Samuel Rush 
 Meyrick, who erected the mansion. 
 
 The Keep is the most ancient portion of the fine old ruin of 
 Goodrich Casde. It was composed of three stories, each consisting 
 of a single small room, the lowest being the prison, without even a 
 loop-hole to admit air or hght. The original windows are considered 
 to be the most truly Saxon that can be. In the middle story, a stone 
 frame for glass seems to have been inserted, and the st>le points to 
 the time of Henry VL, and probably made by the celebrated Earl 
 Talbot, who tenanted one of these chambers. The dungeon is sup- 
 posed to have been erected in the time of Edward III., when Richard 
 Talbot obtained the royal licence for converting his dungeon into 
 a state prison. 
 
 All that is known of the origin of the castle is, that a fort, held by 
 a doomsday-book proprietor, of the name of Goldrick, or Goodrick 
 (hence the name "Goodrich"), covered the ford of the river at this 
 place before the (Conquest. 
 
 In 116;,, the casde became the property of the Earl of Pembroke, 
 the then lord of the district from Ross to Chepstow. In 1347, 
 it was the seat of the Talbot family, who founded a I'riory of Black 
 Canons at Manesford, which is now a barn, about a quarter of a mile 
 from the castle. During the Ci\'il \Vars, the fortress pla\ed a con- 
 spicuous ])art, being taken and retaken by the opposing parties ; first 
 for the Parliament, but it was subse(|uendy taken by Sir Richard 
 Lingen, who, in i64ri, defended it for fi\e months against Colonel 
 Birch. It was, excepting the (Jasde of Pendennis, the last castle 
 
TINTERN ABBEY. 
 
 " Hail, fair TinterD ! whether or not it be 
 In winter's dreary hour, when gloomily 
 The harsh wind blows, all biting, cold, and loud, 
 And earth lies ice-bound, wrapt in snowy shroud : 
 On vernal morn, when o'er thy sacred ground, 
 The young grass springs, and Nature smiles around ; 
 In summer, when the sun shines warm and brig^^t, 
 The skylai'k trilling in the azure height; 
 Or in brown autumn, decked with changing leaves, 
 When garners full, fruit blushing, golden sheaves 
 Rejoice the heart of man, — I visit thee ; 
 Tintern, thou still hast deathless charms tnr me." 
 
 Canto III. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO III. 131 
 
 which held out for the king, Charles I. In the following year, it 
 was ordered by the Parliament "to be totally disgarrisoned and 
 slighted"; and so it became a ruin, just at a point of the river Wye 
 where such an object is most picturesque and interesting. 
 
 " Hail fair Tinteni, whether or not it be, 
 In winter's dreary hour, when gloomily^ 
 
 Tintern Abbey, although one of the oldest of the Cistercian com- 
 munities of this country, was not famous either for its wealth or the 
 number of its members ; and at the dissolution contained only 
 thirteen monks, supported by a rental of from £200 to £300, at the 
 highest calculation. Dugdale returns the revenue at £132 is. \A.., and 
 Speed at £256 iis. 6d. Its splendid situation on the banks of the 
 Wye, coupled with the elegance of its architectural design may, 
 however, challenge comparison with the finest ecclesiastical monu- 
 ments in the United Kingdom. 
 
 The abbey was founded in the year 1 131, by Walter de Clare, 
 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary ; but its endowments were greatly 
 increased by Gilbert de Strongbow, Lord of Striguil and Chepstow, 
 and afterwards Earl of Pembroke. The establishment consisted of 
 Cistercians, or White Monks, introduced to England only three 
 years before, when they setded at Waverley in Surrey. The founder 
 of the church was Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk ; and the conse- 
 cration of the choir (the first portion finished) took place in 1268 ; 
 and, in the body of the churchy which is the most interesting part 
 of the ruins, the architecture is of a style long subsequent. It was 
 built in the regular cathedral-form, with a nave, north and south 
 aisles, transept and choir, and a tower, which stands in the centre. 
 In the choir of the abbey was buried Maud, Countess of Pembroke 
 and Marshal of England, her body being borne into the church by 
 her four sons. 
 
 " Then visit Chepstow, old and quiet toion." 
 
 Chepstow Castle i? supposed to have been originally built by 
 Juhus Csesar. In the reign of Henry I. it was possessed by the Clare 
 family, of whom Robert de Clare (surnamed, like his father. Strong- 
 bow), is famous for his Irish adventures, It afterwards came, by the 
 marriage of a daughter of Robert Strongbow (who had no male 
 issue), to William, Marshal of England, Lord Protector of the King- 
 dom j and, by the marriage of his daughter, it fell to Hugh Bigod, 
 Earl of Norfolk. This daughter was Maud, who was in her widow- 
 
1,52 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 hood created Marshal, in \irtue of her descent, the king, Henry III., 
 solemnly giving the truncheon into her hand. She was buried at Tin- 
 tern, in 1248, her body being carried into the choir by her four sons. 
 The castle was subsequently sold to the Earl of Pembroke, whose 
 heiress, Elizabeth, carried it to Sir Charles Somerset, afterwards Earl 
 of \\'orcester. During the Ci\'il "Wars, it was a place of great im- 
 portance. It was, in 1645, given with other lands to ()li\er Crom- 
 well ; but was at the Restoration again possessed by the Somerset 
 family, who now enjoy it. Here, Henry Marten, one of the regicides 
 of Charles I., was confined for twenty years, where he died at the 
 age of seventy-eight, and was buried in the chancel of the parish 
 church of Chepstow. 
 
 CANTO IV. 
 
 " Go, trace the glebe from Salop's bounding line!' 
 
 The river Teame, flowing beneath the walls of Ludlow Castle, 
 divides the counties of Hereford and Salop, Ludford House, for- 
 merly the seat of the Charlton family, being within a few hundred 
 yards of the bridge. 
 
 Berrington is the seat of Lord Rodney, and Hampton Court (once 
 the property of the Coningsby famil)', and afterwards of the Earl of 
 Essex), now belonging to J. H. Arkwright, Em]., are situate within 
 three miles of the town of Leominster. 
 
 Stoke Edith Park, lying midway between Hereford and Ledbury, 
 is the seat of the Right Hon. Lady Emily I'ole)', relict of the late 
 Edward Thomas Fole\-, Esq., one of the former representatives of 
 Hereford.shire in parliament. 
 
 Kastnor Castle, the noble residence of Earl Somers, was erected 
 about thirty years since, and is romantically situate within four miles 
 of Ledbury, and about three miles from Mahern Hills and the 
 Herefordshire Beacon. 
 
 " The Earh of Hereford, once />o-Loerfid thanes" 
 
 AMien the Mercian kingdom was subdued by Egbert, the title 
 of I'.arl of Mercia was gi\-en to a \icero\', whose ])0\\'er at the first 
 being that of a tributary sovereign, gradually declined. On the 
 removal of Leofric from Hereford to Coventry, a.d. 1040, Swe)n, 
 the eldest son of (Jodwin, was made Earl of Hereford; but bemg 
 
NOTES TO CANTO IV. 133 
 
 banished for treason eleven years afterwards, was succeeded by 
 Ranulph, who was defeated by Algar and the Welsh, ad. 1055. 
 Although a Norman, he was displaced by the Conqueror, and his 
 earldom granted to William Fitz-Ozborne, a relative and adviser of 
 the king, together with extensive landed possessions, in defence of 
 which he at least strengthened Chepstow Castle. His son Bigod, 
 surnamed De Breteuil, having Joined the Earl of Norfolk in a con- 
 spiracy against William Rufus, was deprived of his property, and 
 condemned to perpetual imprisonment. 
 
 The title and possessions were next granted to Milo Fitz- Walter, 
 Earl of Brecknock, who in the time of Henry IV., erected the castle 
 of St. Briavels, on the east bank of the Wye, a few miles below 
 Monmouth, the abbey of Llanthony, and the priory of the same 
 name, at Gloucester. This warrior and architect supporting the 
 Empress Maud, the earldom was given by Stephen to Robert de 
 Bossu, Earl of Leicester, a grandson of Bigod de Breteuil, upon 
 which Milo retired to Llanthony, where he died. 
 
 On the accession of Henry II., the title and possession passed to 
 Roger, eldest son of Milo ; thence upon his death, occasioned by an 
 arrow whilst hunting, to his brothers, Henry and Mahel, and after- 
 wards to Humphrey de Bohun, who had married their eldest sister, 
 Margery, and had no fewer than seven successors of the same name ; 
 of these, the most eminent was Constable of England in the time of 
 Edward I., who with Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, extorted from 
 that monarch the Charter of 1298, which for ever exempted the 
 English from payment of any tax levied without the consent of their 
 parliamentary representatives. 
 
 On the death, in 1373, of the seventh Earl Humphrey, whose 
 monument is in the Lady Chapel of the cathedral, the male line 
 ceased, and the property of the De Bohuns was divided between 
 his two daughters, Eleanor, wife of Thomas de Woodstock, Duke of 
 Gloucester, and sixth son of Edward HI., and Mary, who married 
 Henry, Earl of Derby, son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. 
 Henry was created Duke of Hereford in 1377, and upon his suc- 
 cession to the throne, in 1399, the earldom of Hereford was con- 
 ferred on Edmund Stafford, Earl of Buckingham, son-in-law of 
 Thomas de Woodstock, who fell in the battie of Shrewsbury, 1403, 
 whilst fighting for the king. His son Humphrey (the eighth of that 
 name), the friend and supporter of Henry VI., was created Duke of 
 Buckingham, and fell on the Lancastrian side, at Northampton, in 
 1460, leaving his grandson, Henry, as heir. One half of his pro- 
 
134 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 pertywas seized by the sovereigns of the House of York, as co-heirs, 
 but tlieir heir claimed restitution successfully from Richard III., 
 who was placed on the throne through his exertions. Becoming 
 disgusted with the new monarch, he took up arms in favour of the 
 Earl of Richmond, and was arrested and executed at Salisbury, in 
 1483. Since that period, the titles and possessions of the De 
 Bohuns have been merged in the Enghsh crown. 
 
 " The viscoimts of Hereford, the oldest kinuoii" 
 
 The \iscounty of Hereford has been held for sixteen generations 
 by the De\ereux famih', and was conferred in i,',,")0 ', it is the premier 
 peer of that rank in England. Robert de E\reux, or Ervrus, was 
 one of the Norman leaders in the battle of Hastings. His descend- 
 ant, Sir \Valter Devereux, had estates at Bodenham and Whitchurch, 
 being Sheriff of Herefordshire in 137 1 and 137'). A subsequent 
 baronet of the same name, «ho, on his mother's side, came from 
 the De Bohuns, got the title of Viscount Hereford from Henry A'HL, 
 for his services in the French wars of that time. The barony of 
 Ferrers, and the earldom of Essex and Ewe, descended to this 
 house on the maternal side ; but ceased in 1646, on the death, 
 without issue, of Robert, the third earl, a general in the Parliamentary 
 army. Robert, father of the last-named, was the distinguished and 
 unfortunate favourite of Queen Elizabeth, 
 
 " Lord Cantilupe (the bishofs brother), he, 
 Time, second Edwards, built the Jdoiiastery.'' 
 
 The remains of the ancient Monastery and Pulpit Cross of the 
 Black Friars, situate at \\'idemarsh-L;ate, were restored at the ex- 
 pense of the late John Arkwright, Esij., of Hampton Court, near 
 Leominster. That estate is charged with the support of Coningsby's 
 Hospital, immediately adjoining the ruins, which was instituted in 
 1 6 14, by Sir Thomas Coningsb)-, Ivnight, being the only private 
 military hospital in the kingdom. The vicarage of Bodenham, in 
 which parish Hampton Court is situate, was directed, in a codicil to 
 the founder's will, to be given to the successi\e chaplains of this 
 hospital. 
 
 " The ll'hite Cross (Bishop Charlton's work) records." 
 
 During the prevalence of the Black Death, or Plague, in the city, 
 in 1347, the markets for the sale of provisions necessary for the 
 
NOTES TO CANTO IV. 135 
 
 inhabitants within the walls, were held on the spot now occupied by 
 the White Cross, about one mile and a quarter west of the city. 
 This rehc was erected some years afterwards by Bishop Lewis 
 Charlton, whose monument in the cathedral bears the same heraldic 
 device, a hon rampant. The prelacy of this bishop was from 1361 
 to 1369; and he is supposed to have been descended from the 
 Charlton family, who were formerly Earls of Powis. 
 
 " In presence of their lord, the first King James. 
 When flourished matiy fine old English games, 
 Ten persons did peifiornt most jollily, 
 A Morrice Dance before His Majesty^ 
 
 Ralph Wigley, one of the persons who, in the year 16 13, joined 
 in the morrice dance performed before King James I., is said to have 
 been 132 years old. 
 
 " And Baskerville 7nuch to his Highness' sport. 
 Stout sons, a score-and-one, he took to court." 
 
 The patriarchal person alluded to, was Sir Roger de Baskerville, 
 the last most eminent member of that once very powerful family, 
 whose then representative accompanied the Conqueror into England. 
 To his ancestor was granted Eardisley Castle, with other large pos- 
 sessions, in the western portion of the county. Several direct 
 descendants of the old knight, and the present personal representa- 
 tives of the race, are still resident at Weobley. 
 
 " Compact and nestling on the church-crowned hill, 
 Fair Ludlow stands with antique gables still!' 
 
 The town of Ludlow, which name is of Saxon origin, and formerly 
 spelled " Leadlowe," or, " Ludlowe," was called by the Britons 
 " Dinan," or the " Palace of Princes," and appears to have been dis- 
 tinguished for its importance prior to the Norman Conquest. At 
 that time, Robert de Montgomery, kinsman of William the Con- 
 queror, fortified the town with walls, and erected the greater part of 
 its stately castle, which he made his baronial residence until his 
 death, in 1094. On the attainder of his son, Robert de Mont- 
 gomery, the castle passed to Henry I., who made it a royal residence, 
 greatly enlarging and embellishing it ; and having strengthened the 
 fortifications, placed in it a powerful garrison, under the command 
 of Gervase Pagnell. He, in the following reign, having embraced 
 
136 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 the cause of Matilda, held it for a considerable time against the 
 forces of Stephen, by whom it was besieged in person, assisted by 
 Henry, son of the King of Scotland. This prince, drawn up from 
 his horse by an iron hook, was rescued from incarceration by the 
 courage and address of the English monarch. 
 
 Ludlow, from its proximity to ^Vales, was always a station of im- 
 portance, and a strong garrison was consta-ntly kept up in the castle, 
 for the defence of the frontier from the incursions of the Welsh. In 
 the reign of Henry III., an order was issued from the castle for all 
 the Lords-Marchers to repair to this place, attended by their fol- 
 lowers, to assist Roger Mortimer, at that time governor, in restrain- 
 ing the hostilities of the Welsh. And in the forty-seventh year of 
 the same reign, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, who had 
 joined the confederated barons, assisted by Llewellyn, Prince of 
 \\'ales, attacked the caslle with their united forces, and having set it 
 on fire, nearly demolished it. In the reign of Edward II., Roger 
 Mortimer, a descendant of the famous governor, having joined the 
 discontented barons, was sent prisoner to the Tower of London, 
 from which he effected his escape ; and in commemoration of his 
 success, erected, in the outer ward of Ludlow Castle, a chapel, 
 which he dedicated to St. Peter, and endowed it for a priest to 
 celebrate mass; but being arraigned for high treason, in the reign of 
 Edward III., he was publicly executed at Tyburn. 
 
 In the reign of Henry VI., Richard, Duke of York, who then had 
 possession of the castle, detained John Sutton, Lord Dudley, Re- 
 ginald, Abbot of Glastonbury, and others, in confinement here ; 
 and issued from this place his declaration of allegiance to the king, 
 which he also repealed some years after on the defeat of Lord 
 Audley, at Blore Heath ; but on his subsequent insurrection and 
 attainder, the king laid siege to the castle, and, having taken it, 
 stripped it of all its ornaments. The town was plundered of every- 
 thing valuable by his soldiers. The Duchess of York, A\ith her 
 two younger sons, was taken prisoner and confined for some tune 
 in one of the outer towers of the castle. After the death of the 
 Duke of York, at the battle of ^\'akefield, the castle descended to 
 his son, Edward, Earl of March, afterwards Edward IV. 
 
 The young king, Edward \'., and his brother, the Duke of York, 
 lived in the castle, under the superintendence and protection of 
 Earl Rivers, till their removal by order of the Duke of Gloucester 
 (afterwards Richard III.), to the Tower of London, where they were 
 barbarously murdered. Prince Arthur, son of Henry VII., resided 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 137 
 
 here after his nuptials with Catherine of Arragon, in 1501, and kept 
 a splendid court until his decease in the following year. 
 
 In the reign of Henry VIII., a kind of local government, called 
 the " Council in the Marches of Wales," was established at Ludlow, 
 consisting of a lord president, as many councillors as the prince 
 chose to appoint, a secretary, an attorney, and four justices of the 
 Principality, the lord president residing in the castle. 
 
 During the Parliamentary Wars, the castle held out for the king, 
 Charles I., under the command of the Earl of Bridgewater, but finally 
 surrendered to the Parhament. Frequent skirmishes took place in 
 the town, between the contending forces, in one of which Sir Gilbert 
 Gerrard, brother to the Earl of Macclesfield, was killed. 
 
 Opposite the entrance gateway is the Hall, in which was per- 
 formed by the children of the Earl of Bridgewater, the celebrated 
 " Masque of Comus," composed by Milton, and founded on an 
 incident which occurred to the family of that nobleman soon after 
 his appointment to the presidency. In Mortimer's Tower, the poet, 
 Butler, after the Restoration, wrote several cantos of " Hudibras." 
 
 The remains of the castle, with its massive walls and picturesque 
 towers, still exhibit traces of its original grandeur, forming a most 
 interesting and venerable ruin, situate on the summit of an eminence 
 of grey-stone rock, overhanging the river Teame, which separates the 
 town of Ludlow from the adjacent county of Hereford. 
 
 CANTO V. 
 
 '■'■And, thtiS, her Towns are small, andfeiv, hut fair!' 
 
 The town of Kington is of considerable antiquity, prettily situated 
 on the banks of the river Arrow ; and, here, the manufacture of 
 chintz and gloves was once extensively carried on ; the former has, 
 however, ceased altogether, and the latter is much diminished. 
 King Charles II. is said to have visited the town prior to the Battle 
 of Worcester, and to have slept at the Talbot Inn, still standing in 
 Bridge-street. Near to it is a barn, where the tragic actress, Mrs. 
 Siddons, who was born at Brecon, made one of her first pubUc ap- 
 pearances on the stage. The church dedicated to St. Michael, is an 
 ancient structure, standing in a large burial-ground, beautifully 
 situate, and commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. 
 A Free Grammar School was founded here, pursuant to the will of 
 
1,33 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Lady Hawkins, who, in 1619, bequeathed money for the purchase 
 of an esta'e, which, thirty years since, produced £224 los. per 
 annum. The hving is a vicarage, uniting, also, the curacies of 
 Brilley, jMichaelchurch, and Huntington. ( )n Bradnor liill, about 
 a mile north of the town, there are traces of an ancient camp ; and 
 there is a rocky eminence in the vicinity, called Castle Hill, though 
 it does not appear that any castle stood there, or that it was the site 
 of an encampment. A chapel is said to have been destroyed by 
 an earthquake m this place, about 500 years since. 
 
 Leominster (according to Leland) derives its name from a minster 
 or monastery, founded here by Merewald, King of \\'est IV'Iercia, 
 about 660, and that Saxon prince is said to ha\e had a castle or 
 palace about half-a-mile eastward of the town ; a fortress, also, was 
 standing on the same spot in 105.-;, when it was seized by the \\'elsh 
 chieftains, and fortified. ,\t the time of the Norrnan sur\e}-, the 
 manor, with its appurtenances, was assigned by Edward the Con- 
 fessor to his Queen Editha ; in the reign of ^\'illianii Rufus, the 
 fortifications were strengthened, to secure it against the incursions 
 of the \\'elsh. In the reign of John, the town, priory, and church 
 were plundered and burned by William de Braos, Lord of Breck- 
 nock ; in the time of Henry lY., it was in possession of Owen 
 Glendwr, after he had defeated the Earl of March. In the next 
 centiir)', the inhabitants of the town took a decisive part in the 
 establishment of J\^lr^• on the throne, for which service she granted 
 the first charter of incorporation, about 1554- The monastery 
 founded by Merewald, ha\-ing been destroyed by the Danes, a 
 college of preliendaries, and, subsequently, an abbey of nuns, were 
 established here ; but these institutions were destroyed previously 
 to the time of Edward I., 'wlio endowed the abbey of Reading with 
 the monaster\- of Leominster, to which it afterwards became a 
 cell ; its re\enue, at the dissolution, being £660 i6s. 8d. The 
 charter of incorporation, recei\ed from (Jueen jMar>', ^^as confirmed 
 and extended b\' subsequent sovereigns. The last was granted by 
 Charles II., in i<i6-,. The borough has sent two members to Par- 
 liament since the 2,3rd year of Edward I. The parish church 
 dedicated to .St. I'eter and St. Paul, is a spacious and irregular 
 structure, exhibiting specimens of every st)le of Norman and 
 English arcliitecture : the tower, which is of considerable ele\"ation, 
 stands at the north-west angle. This place confers the title of 
 Baron upon the Earl of Pomfret, who styles himself Baron Lempster, 
 that ha\ ing been the ancient name of the town. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 139 
 
 Weobley was, until its disfranchisement by the Pariiamentary 
 Reform Act of 1832, an unincorporated borough, and returned two 
 members to Parliament. The elective franchise was granted by 
 Edward I., and was renewed, or confirmed by Charles I. The 
 church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul is a fine structure, and 
 contains several monuments of the families of Birch and Peploe. 
 On the south side of the town are the remains of an ancient castle, 
 which was taken by Stephen, in the war between him and the 
 Empress Matilda, for whom it had been kept by William Talbot. 
 
 Ledbury derives its name from the river Leden, which intersects 
 the parish from north to south. It is situate on a declivity at the 
 eastern angle of the county, and at the southern extremity of the 
 Malvern Hills. In the more ancient parts of the town, the houses 
 are composed of timber and brick, with projecting stories ; and in 
 the centre stands a curious market-house in Elizabethan style. 
 Ledbury sent two members to Parliament in the reign of Edward I., 
 but surrendered the elective franchise, subsequently, on the plea of 
 poverty. The parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, exhibits 
 some fine specimens of Norman architecture, and on the south side 
 of the chancel is a cRapel, dedicated to St. Catherine, of decorated 
 character. The north Porch is in the early s'.yle of English architec- 
 ture, as is also the tower, which is surmounted by a spire of elegant 
 proportions, and beautifully standing out against the hill, pictu- 
 resquely clothed with trees. The Hospital of St. Catherine was 
 founded here, in the thirteenth century, by Hugh Foliot, Bishop of 
 Hereford, and endowed for six widowers and four widows. It was 
 re-founded by Queen Elizabeth, in 1580, for a master, seven poor 
 widowers and three widows. The present building, highly orna- 
 mented, was erected in 1822, at a cost of nearly £6,000. In and 
 near the parish were several Roman remains, and there is still a 
 part of the famous Beacon Camp, considered to have been one 
 of the fortresses built by Caractacus, when this part of Britain was 
 invaded by the Romans, under Ostorius Scapula. At Ledbury, 
 Jacob Tonson, an eminent bookseller, and the subject of a satirical 
 triplet by Dryden, whose epitaph, published in the " Gentleman's 
 Magazine," for February, 1736, was closely copied by Dr. Benjamin 
 Franklin, for his own tombstone. 
 
 The town of Bromyard is situate partly in a hollow and partly 
 against a hill The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a spacious 
 structure, in the Norman style, occupying a high and prominent 
 position. The downs adjacent to the town, on the \\'orcestershire 
 
14° HEREFORDIA, 
 
 side, are extensive and open, and the district lying towards Hereford, 
 from which it is distant fourteen miles, is rich in orchards and fine 
 hop-gardens. The Free (irammar School was endowed by Queen 
 Elizabeth with £i6 4s, iiid. per annum, subsequently augmented 
 by £20 per annum, by J^hn Perrins, Esq. There are almshouses 
 for sc\cn aged women, endowed by the Rev. Phineas Jackson, 
 formerly vicar of the parish, to which also the Rev. Dr. Cope, 
 a former incumbent, \\as a benefactor. The town has been always 
 considered dull, and, from its isolated position, is said, by a local 
 proverb, "to have been the last built, and that it fell from the sky 
 ready made." 
 
 " Of Kilj-'cck Church and Castle take a 77tTi'." 
 Kilpeck is a parish, and perpetual curacy, in the upper division 
 of the hundred of ^\■ormelow, and the living is in the gift of the 
 liishop of Gloucester. The church, dedicated to .St. David has 
 some fine portions of the Norman st3le of architecture. It was 
 gi-\en by Hugh Fitzwilliam (whose family assumed the name of 
 Kilpeck) son of the Concjueror, to the abbey of .St. Peter, (ilou- 
 cester, in 11 34, and became a cell of black monks subordinate 
 to it, till its suppression. The ancient castle of Kilpeck fell 
 early to ruin, and, since the time of Edward I., a part only of the 
 walls was remaining. 
 
 " Then Madlcy, -ant/i her decorated toic'cr, 
 II'iVl hold the critic througli a pleasant hour." 
 
 Madlcy, a | ;irish in the hundred of ^\'L■btree, is a vicarage in con- 
 nection with the perpetual curacy of Tilicrton, in the ]ieculiar juris- 
 diction of the E)ean of Hereford. The church, dedicated to St. 
 Mar)-, is a large and handsome edifice, principally in the decorated 
 st\le, with an embattled tower at the west end. The late ^ery Rev. 
 John Merewether, D.D., Dcim of Hereford, was \icar of the parish, 
 and, by his munificence and taste, contributed greatly towards the 
 restoration and beautif) ing of the church. 
 
 " leather of Heraldry and blazoned lore." 
 
 John fluillim, autlior of the valuable treatise, known as "Heraldry 
 fJisplayed," was born at Hereford, in 1565, Avas educated at the 
 ( athedral Grammar School, and died in 162 1. 
 
 " Roger of Hereford, a century 
 Ere Jlacon lived, versed in astronomy^ 
 Roger of Herefjrd, ancestor of Richard Hereford, Esq., the 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 141 
 
 proprietor of Sufton Court, having flourished, as astronomer, as- 
 trologer, alchemist and mathematician, so early as the time of 
 Henry II., anticipated the career of Roger Bacon by nearly a cen- 
 tury. He is said to have been educated at Cambridge, as his 
 works were long preserved in the library of that university ; of these 
 the most noted are, a "Treatise on Judicial Astrology," and "A 
 Book of Metals." 
 
 " Few Sees can boast of Bishops such a line!' 
 
 The Bishops Putta, Turtell, and Terteras, were the three first 
 Saxon Bishops of Hereford, to whom, between the years 730 and 
 740, a magnificent cross was erected on the east side of the cathe- 
 dral, near the site of the present Grammar School. Amongst the 
 eminent persons who have filled the See of Hereford, since the 
 Conquest, may be mentioned : — 
 
 John Le Breton, LL.D., the predecessor of Cantilupe (1269 — 75) 
 who was eminently "learned in the law." His treatise, "De Juri- 
 bus Anglicanis," written by special command of Henry HI., was 
 long in use as a standard authority. It washighly eulogised by Sir 
 Edward Coke, who speaks of the author as "an ornament to his 
 profession and a solace to himself" 
 
 Thomas Cantilupe, or Cantilow, was son of William, Lord Can- 
 tilupe, or Kentilupe, so-called from his residing in Kent (by Milli- 
 cent, Countess of Evreux). who represented two of the principal 
 Norman families which entered England with the Conqueror. This 
 prelate was born in 1225, became Chancellor of the University of 
 Oxford, and was, by Henry III., made Lord Chancellor of England, 
 and succeeded to the See in 1275. He died in 1282, at Civita 
 Vecchia, on his return from Rome, where he had been to obtain 
 redress for encroachments made on the rights of his church. His 
 fiesh was buried in the Church of St. Severus, near Florence ; his 
 heart was inurned at the monastery of Ashbridge, in Bucks, and 
 his bones were deposited with pomp in his own cathedral, where 
 his tomb, or shrine, now exists, in the north transept. He was 
 canonized about the year 13 19, and, after his death, the arms of 
 the See (the same as those borne by the East Anglian kings) were 
 abandoned for those of the saint ; and these have been retained 
 to, and are used at, the present time. 
 
 Edward Fox (1535— 1538), the first Protestant Bishop of Here- 
 ford, and one of the pillars of the Reformation, was almoner to 
 Kmg Henry VIII. 
 
143 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 John Skipp, D.D. (1539 — 53), was one of the compilers of the 
 Book of Common Prayer, and his successor, Jolm Harley, D.D. 
 (1553 — 54), was imprisoned and deprived of his See by Queen 
 Mary, for the alleged crimes of heresy and wedlock. 
 
 Miles Smith, D.D., born at Hereford, in 1550, who died in 1624, 
 was the son of a fletcher, or maker of arrows, was bred up at the 
 Cathedral School, and Brazenose College, C)xford. He became a 
 Canon Residentiary of the cathedral, and afterwards Bishop of 
 Gloucester. He was eminent as an Oriental scholar, and was em- 
 ployed by James I. in the translation of the Holy Bible. He 
 wrote the Preface to the Authorized Version, and, to this prelate 
 and Dr. Bilson, Bishop of Winchester, was committed the entire 
 revisal of the sacred volume. 
 
 George Isaac Huntnigford, D.D., was appointed to tlie See in 
 1815, and died in the year 1834. He held, also, the W'ardenship of 
 the College of "Winchester, near to which city he was first niducted 
 to the offices of the sacred ministry, in a small parish church, where 
 he was buried by his own special desire. Dr. Huntingford was 
 esteemed one of the most learned men of his time, a profound 
 ( Jreek scholar (equal, perhaps, to Person), and was greatly beloved 
 for his eminent Christian virtues. 
 
 " Miisgrave beloved, alas I loo early goncT 
 
 Dr. Thomas Musgrave was, on the death of Bishop Grey, in 1837, 
 raised to the See of Hereford ; and in 1847, was translated to the 
 archiepiscopal chair of York. In both these high positions he won, 
 by his amiable, upright, and truly Christian character, the affection 
 of every class of the community. He died in i860. 
 
 " Nor did the lofty Jlolsey think too mean 
 Of Hereford, and so was o/iee its Deanl' 
 
 Thomas Wolsey was born at Ipswich, in i\Iarch, 1471, and from 
 the time he became a Bachelor of Arts in the University of Oxford, 
 at fourteen years of age, to the date of his downfall and his retire- 
 ment to the abbey of Leicester, in 1530, no British subject ever 
 advanced so rapidly in the favour of his sovereign. His income 
 exceeded in amount the revenues of the Crown, and his household 
 comprised 800 persons ; his retinue included noblemen and gentle- 
 men of the highest rank and character. Wolsey succeeded Reginald 
 ^Vest, as Dean of the Cathedral of Hereford, in 1512, during the 
 episcopate of Bishop Booth, but appears to have held it but a short 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 143 
 
 time, Edmund Frowcester having received the dignity in the same 
 year. From the modest position of a Fellow of Magdalen College, 
 and tutor of three sons of the Marquis of Dorset, in 1500, he ulti- 
 mately became rector of Lymington, a chaplain to the king, 
 Henry VIIL, rector of Redgrave, counsellor and almoner to His 
 Majesty, rector of Torrington, canon of Windsor, registrar of the 
 Order of the Garter, prebend of Bugthorpe, Dean of York, Bishop 
 of Tournay, Bishop of Lincoln, Archbishop of York, Cardinal of 
 St. Cecily, then Lord Chancellor of England, and Pope's Legate, a 
 latere, in 151 6. Besides the profits of these appointments, the king 
 bestowed on him the rich Abbey of St. Albans, in commendum, and 
 the Bishopric of Durham, and, afterwards, that of Winchester; and 
 with these, he held, in pawn, the Bishoprics of Bath and Worcester, 
 enjoyed by foreign incumbents. 
 
 " Henry the Fifth though 07i its confines born^ 
 
 On the other side of the Wye, the district of Monmouthshire begins 
 (for we have hitherto been in Herefordshire), and Courtfield claims 
 our attention for a moment, as the place where Henry V. is said to 
 have been nursed, under the care of the Countess of Sahsbury. The 
 remains of a bed and an old cradle were formerly shown as relics 
 of the Monmouth hero. Half a mile further down the river is 
 Welsh Bicknor Church, which has puzzled the antiquarians by its 
 sepulchral effigy, representing a recumbent female figure, in stone, 
 not ungracefully dressed in a loose robe, but without inscription or 
 coat of arms. Tradition will have it, that it is of the Countess of 
 Salisbury, and it is perhaps correct in the person, but wrong in the 
 name ; for, the lady who nursed Henry at Courtfield, supposing him 
 to have been there at all, w'as, in all probability. Lady Montacute, 
 who married the second son of the first Earl of Salisbury, but was 
 no countess herself Her son, however, Sir John De Montacute, who 
 possessed the manor of Welsh Bicknor, succeeded to the earldom 
 of Salisbury, and became Earl Marshal of England. It was he 
 who was chief of the Lollards, and was murdered in the year 1480, 
 by the populace of Cirencester. Welsh Bicknor is stated to be in 
 Monmouthshire, but, locally, it is in the lower division of the 
 hundred of Wormelow, in the county of Hereford. 
 
 " In later times the Canon Phillips claims 
 Our praise, whose loyalty past history names." 
 
 The Rev. Canon Phillips, who had then an estate at Withington, 
 
144 HEREFORDIA, 
 
 afforded an asylum in his liou.se to Charles II., in 1657, after the 
 battle of \\'orcestcr. 
 
 " Xor must wc slight the good old Clerk's grandson." 
 
 John Phillips, the son of Dr. Stephen Phillips (Archdeacon of 
 Salop), and grandson of the Rev. Canon Phillips, was born at Bamp- 
 ton, in Oxfordshire, where his father was also rector. He attained 
 great celebrity by his poems, " Cider," " Blenheim," and the " Splen- 
 did Shilling" ; and died i,-,th February, 1708. There are monuments 
 to his memory in Hereford Cathedral and Westminister Abbey. 
 
 " The Poet Davics, too, and Gcrthcngc, then." 
 
 John Davies, poet, schoolmaster, and penman, was born in Here- 
 ford, and became writing master to the Prince Henry, son of James I., 
 and died at Carlisle, in 1618. He and his pupil, Richard Gerthenge, 
 ^^■ere noticed by Fuller in his " British AN'orthies," and reputed to be 
 tile best penmen in England. 
 
 " 1 he noble Cornewall needs no eulo::\\' 
 
 James Cornewall, Captain in the Royal Na-i'y, was born at Moccas, 
 in 1679 ; Avas brother of Velters Cornwall, who represented the 
 county of Hereford in se\ en successive parliaments. Whilst in com- 
 mand of his ship, the " M.irlborough," of 90 guns, in an action witli 
 the combined French and Spanish squadron off Toulon, in 1744. he 
 lost both his legs, and refused to leave the deck, until he died b}' 
 the fall of the main and niizen masts. 
 
 " .S>r'(', /('/- ('//(■ fault, and loho is free from sin, 
 The city need not blush for fair Xell Uvyni' 
 
 Ellen, or Eleanor Gwyn, was of \\'elsli extraction (and although 
 the place of her birlh has been supposed by some persons to be in 
 the Coal-3ard, Drury-lanc, by others in the city of London, and in 
 Oxford), was born, February 2nd, 1650, in Pij)e-lane (now called 
 (Iwvn-street), in a cottage contiguous to the palace, which her grand- 
 son. Lord James Beauclerk, the then bishop, pulled down, and 
 included its site in the episcopal grounds. 
 
 " Uvedale I'riee, the gentle brothers Kn'ght, 
 .1 trio firm, rare, exeellent and bright" 
 
 Sir Uvedale Price, Bart, of Foxlcy (the father of the late Sir 
 Robert Price, for many )'ears member for the county and cit\- of 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 145 
 
 Hereford, and with whom the baronetcy ceased), was a very learned 
 and accomplished scholar, and the author of an "Essay on the 
 Picturesque." 
 
 Richard Payne Knight, of Downton Castle, was a rare instance 
 of high intellect combined with great philanthropic feeling and 
 practice. He was a very humane man, and warmly attached to 
 literary pursuits ; and, in furtherance of these objects, lived in great 
 retirement, surrendering to his younger brother, Thomas Andrew 
 Knight, his splendid paternal estate. He was the author of an 
 "Analytical Essay on the Greek Alphabet"; an "Analytical Enquiry 
 into the Principles of Taste," a " Monody on the Death of the 
 Right Hon. Charles James Fox," and other works. He left a 
 valuable collection of Papers and Manuscripts to the nation, 
 which are now deposited in the British Museum. 
 
 Thomas Andrew Knight, whose name has been previously men- 
 tioned, was President of the Horticultural Society, and contributed 
 very valuable works on agricultural and other subjects ; amongst 
 which are, a " Pamphlet on Mr. Forsyth's Method of filling up with 
 Plaister the Holes in Trees" (1802); also publications on the "Ne- 
 cessity of a Commutation of Tithes" (1804 and 1834); a "Report 
 of the Committee of the Horticultural Society" (1841) ; a " Selection 
 of Physiological and Horticultural Papers" (1841) ; the " Culture of 
 the Pear and Apple" (1797) ; but his most celebrated work is the 
 " Pomona Herefordiensis," illustrated with coloured engravings 
 (1811). 
 
 " To those delighting in black-letter lore. 
 
 Who Fosbrookis, Meyrick's, DunannUs works explore." 
 
 The Rev. Thos. Dudley Fosbrooke, a learned scholar and anti- 
 quary, was Rector of Walford, and the author of an " Encyclopedia 
 of Antiquities," and " Elements of Archaeology, Classical and Me- 
 diseval" (1825); the " Tourist's Grammar" (1826); " Foreign Topo- 
 graphy, being a Sequel to the Encyclopedia" (1828); "Choir 
 Service Vindicated ; a Sermon" (1829); and "British Monachism." 
 
 Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, a learned antiquary and armourist, the 
 owner and founder of Goodrich Court, arranged the armoury in the 
 Tower and at Windsor Castle, and possessed a valuable collection 
 of armoury at his own mansion. He was the author of several 
 Papers on the " Academies of England, Great Britain and Ireland," 
 and " Ancient Welsh Manuscripts"; and editor of "Dunn's Heraldic 
 Visitation of Wales" (1846); and the "Doucean Manuscripts" 
 
146 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 (1836) ; and, it is believed, also of a later and valuable work on 
 " Armour." 
 
 The Rev. John Duncumb, Rector of Abbey Dore, and Vicar of 
 Mansel, a learned and accomplished antiquary, was the author of 
 "Collections towards a History of the City and County of Hereford" 
 (1804). 
 
 " The friend of rich and poor, we ncer may scan 
 Gccrs Coitereir s fellowr 
 
 Sir John Geers Cotterell, Bart, (grandfather of the present Sir 
 Henry Geers Cotterell, Bart), many years M.P. for Herefordshire, 
 died in 184.-, aged eighty-seven. He was greatly beloved by persons 
 of every rank, and was regarded by all as the head of the County. 
 
 " And Havard, come of low but honest birth." 
 
 ^\■illiam Havard, Esq., born in Hereford, of humble parents, in 
 1735, rose to be partner in one of the chief London banks, and 
 subsequently connected with the Citv-and County Bank in his native 
 city. He devoted his leisure hours to literature, and was author of 
 the popular song " My Poll and my Partner Joe," published in 
 Dibdin's collection. He died in 181 1, at his house in South 
 Lambeth. 
 
 " Uniting, too, rich find of anecdote, 
 With local customs, and events of note.'' 
 
 The Rev. John INlerewether, D.D., F.R.S., Dean of the Cathedral ; 
 the Rev. J. Webb, F.,S.A., Rector of Tretire ; and the Rev. J. Bird, 
 Vicar of Mordiford, all eminent as scholars, enjoyed a high and 
 deserved reputation for their great knowledge of archaeology, and 
 through whose exertions many curious remains were discovered 
 throughout the county. 
 
 James \\'athen, Esq., a gentleman much given to literary and 
 artistic pursuits, accompanied the late Cap. Pendergras to China ; 
 he subsequently resided and died in Hereford. 
 
 " Whilst Jto/i's Swa?t his magic sceptre Sicars." 
 
 David Carrick (the son of a French refugee, who, in 1766, held a 
 lieutenant's commission in a regiment of Dragoon.s, then cjuartered 
 in Hereford), was born in Widemarsh-street ; from whence he was, 
 with his mother, remf)\'ed to Lichfield, soon after his birth. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO V. 147 
 
 " Though late yet loved, whilst peals the sacred song." 
 
 Dr. John Clarke Whitfeld, Professor of Music at the University 
 of Cambridge, for several years organist of Hereford cathedral, died 
 about the year 1845. He was the author of the oratorio of "Pa- 
 lestine," and numerous Anthems and Services, which rank amongst 
 the best works of our most eminent musical composers. Besides 
 his great musical proficiency as an organist and teacher, he was an 
 admirable performer on the violoncello, and possessed of an ex- 
 traordinary fund of wit and anecdote. 
 
 " Now whilst we care for learning, and for youth." 
 
 The Cathedral Grammar School was founded by Bishop Gilbert, 
 in 1386, for the purpose of affording gratuitous instruction to the 
 sons of poor citizens. But the salary of the master being only £30 
 a year, and not being deemed adequate, fresh regulations were made 
 in 1665, when he was also allowed to receive private pupils. The 
 Duchess of Somerset was a great benefactress to the school, and by 
 her munificence it enjoys, in turn with Manchester and Marlborough 
 'schools, the presentation to thirty scholarships, fifteen at Brazenose 
 College, Oxford, and fifteen at St. John's College, Cambridge. There 
 are also exhibitions for four boys born in the city of Hereford, 
 founded by Dean Langford, who died in 1607. The school was 
 raised to considerable eminence under the head-mastership of the 
 late Rev. Charles Taylor, D.D., who resigned the charge soon after 
 he became Chancellor of the Diocese. This gentleman died in the 
 year 1834, in consequence of a fall from his carriage. He was 
 greatly beloved and regretted by his family, friends, and pupils ; 
 amongst the latter, the author deems himself fortunate to have been 
 included. 
 
 " Through a rich sweep of woods and meadows green, 
 The lazy Lugg doth wind its quiet way." 
 
 The river Lugg, a deep and slowly-flowing stream, rises in the 
 county not far from Leominster, and passes through a valley rich in 
 meadows, corn-fields and hop-gardens, at a distance of about two 
 miles south-feast of the river Wye at Hereford. In some portion 
 of its route, the adjacent soil is of a deep clay, and its waters 
 partake of its red, yellowish hue. The river affords excellent sport 
 to the angler, who delights to wander on its quiet banks. 
 
148 HEREFORDIA, 
 
 " So homage Art receives. 
 And o'er the youthful scutjitor, Jennings, grieves." 
 
 The late Benjamin Jennings, jun., a native of Hereford, and sculptor 
 of " The Birth of the Rose,'' and other beautiful works, died in the 
 }ear 1856, at an early age. 
 
 The late David Cox, head of the Water-Colour School lived at 
 Aylstone-hill for several years, and there painted many of his most 
 characteristic sketches of rural scenery. 
 
 Charles Iaicv, Esq., the now eminent artist, and painter of the 
 interesting picture, " The Man of Ross portioning a Bride," is a 
 native of the county. This charming work is in the possession of 
 John Bleek Lye, Esq., jNI.D,, Castle-street, Hereford. Amongst 
 other excellent productions from jNIr. Lucy's easel, may be mentioned, 
 the "Prometheus Chained"; "Milton \isiting Galileo in the Pri- 
 sons of the Inquisition"; " The Parting of Charles I. from his Family"; 
 " Lord Nelson on Board the Victory on the Morning of the Battle 
 of Trafalgar"; "The Departure of the Puritan Fathers for America" j 
 " The Daughter of Cromwell on her Death-bed Remonstrating with 
 her Father." The majority of these pictures have been engraved in 
 the best style of art. 
 
 " And 7cihcu the Nation's loyal Anthem peals.'' 
 
 John Bull, Doctor of Music, and composer of the incomparable air 
 of" God save the King," was a Gentleman Commoner of the College 
 of Vicars. His musical works remained unknown for many years 
 after his decase. 
 
 " Thus shapi'd thv life, so siueet thv memory. 
 That needed ne'er a monument shall l>e." 
 
 The Hereford County Infirmary, standing on the south bank of 
 the river Wye, at the eastern angle of the Castle Green, was opened 
 in the 1776. It was erected by public subscription, mainly through 
 the exertions of the Rev, Dr. Talbot, Rector of UUingswick, who 
 headed the list with the munificent contribution of £500. Tlie site 
 for the building was given by Edward, the fourth Earl of Oxford. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO VI. 149 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 " Then join me on the brow 0/ Aihehtane, 
 * * * * 
 
 A7id climb again old Broomy's grassy hill." 
 
 Athelstane, or Aylstone Hill, supposed to be the scene of King 
 Athelstane's treaty with the Welsh, in the tenth century, is beautifully 
 situate about a mile north-east of the city of Hereford, of which, 
 and the surrounding country, it commands a most extensive 
 and delightful prospect. 
 
 Broomy Hill is situate about the same distance from the city, but 
 in a south-westerly direction, and upon the banks of the river Wye. 
 During the last fifteen years many additional houses, the residences 
 of gentlemen connected with Hereford, have been erected in its 
 immediate vicinity, the new bridge of the Newport and Abergavenny 
 railway forming a beautiful object in the landscape. 
 
 " With sound of voices, march of human feet. 
 
 Outnumbering those who, once, on May-morn sweet, 
 Led through the datice." 
 
 The charming and truly rural custom of going a Maying prevailed 
 in this district thirty years since, and young people of both sexes 
 met and danced together on Broomy Hill, under the three large 
 elm trees which now stand near to the basin of the waterworks. 
 From this point of the hill are seen the Hatterel (Hatterail), or 
 Black Mountains, in Brecon ; the Skerrid, or Holy Mountains, 
 near Abergavenny, in Monmouthshire ; the Malvern range in Wor- 
 cestershire ; and May Hill, in Gloucestershire. 
 
 " £ut close at hand where Belmont-woods surround, 
 A Gothic pile surmounts the rising ground!' 
 
 The priory church and monastery at Belmont, erected under the 
 auspices of Mr. Wegg Prosser, and the parochial churches of St. 
 Martin and St. Nicholas, are new features in the scene. The 
 cathedral, and the ancient spires of All Saints' and St. Peter's 
 churches, all of which enjoy a commanding position, with the fine 
 stretch of the river, visible from Broomy Hill, render it one of the 
 most picturesque spots in the vicinity. St. Peter's church is memo- 
 rable for the death of its founder, Walter de Lacy, in the year 
 1085, who accidentally fell from the battlements, which he had 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 ascended on the occasion of their completion. The churcli was 
 given, in 1161, by his son, Hugh de Lacy, to tlie abbey of St. 
 Peter, at Gloucester. 
 
 " And cold is he to female bcaii/ys cliari)i. 
 If thy fair daughters neer his heart disanjil' 
 
 The allusion, it is almost unnecessary to remark, refers to the 
 captivation of Henry H. by Fair Rosamond, daughter of Lord de 
 Clifford ; and to that of Charles IL by Nell Gviyn. 
 
 " The strength and siiieni whicJi her yeomen yield." 
 
 The county of Hereford has long been proverbial for the manly 
 character of its agricultural population, the richness of its orchards 
 and hop-yards, and their valuable produce. Its importance has 
 been greatly enhanced within the last thirty years, by its excellent 
 breed of horned cattle, horses and sheep, the former of which are 
 surpassed by none in the United Ivingdom. 
 
 " He rightly sees lur sylvan glories shine" 
 
 Herefordshire is generally famous for its finely-timbered woods 
 and parks ; and especially for its beautiful oak trees. The most 
 celebrated specimens of the latter class are at Sarnsfield, Eastnor, 
 Moccas Park, and Eardisley. The last-mentioned is a tree of very 
 large dimensions and great age, standing about a quarter of a mile 
 north-east of the village of that name. 
 
 " And darting from the osier i side. 
 The fairy skiff attempts the tide." 
 
 One of the many legends associated with the river, is that relating 
 to the " Spirit of the \\")e," whicli, it is said, has for centuries fre- 
 quented the stream, upon that beautiful portion lying between the 
 old bridge at Hereford and the charming domain of Belmont. This 
 legend, it is believed, had its origin in the circumstance of the death 
 of a youth, who was the suitor of the daughter of a governor of 
 the castle of Hereford. Ha\ing been implicated in a conspiracy 
 against tlie garrison, but without her knowledge, he was executed 
 by order of her parent. This sad event turned her brain ; and the 
 spirit of this damsel is reported to ascend the river nightly in a 
 fairy skiff, to ^■isit the scene of her former happiness, and there to 
 lament the death of the long-cherished object of her affections. 
 
NOTES TO CANTO VI. 151 
 
 " A?id what, for faults how venal though they be. 
 The knotted scourge is' t fitting penalty f 
 
 According to a return made in the House of Commons, dated 
 14th July, 1859, the number of persons employed in the Royal Navy, 
 in the year 1858, was 32,000. Of this number, 47,646 are still sub- 
 ject to the degrading and cruel system of corporal punishment. In 
 the last-named year, 997 were flogged. The number of lashes 
 inflicted was 32,420, the average being 32 lashes; the instrument of 
 torture being the cat-o'-nine-tails. The offences in all the ships 
 were nearly the same, namely, drunkenness, insubordination, theft ; 
 and the great difference of the punishment, between one dozen and 
 four dozens of lashes for the same offence, seems to depend more 
 on the temper of each individual captain or punisher, than on the 
 gravity of the offence so visited. The cause of the difficulty (which 
 we hear constantly complained of) in getting seamen, — of numerous 
 desertions, of the character of the seamen being degraded — may be 
 so traced to the barbarities thus perpetrated under the official 
 sanction of the Admiralty, whose conduct is a standing disgrace to 
 the crown, the government, and the parliament. 
 
 It must not be omitted to state, that the warrant and commission 
 officers are not liable to the punishment. But till a very recent 
 period, young gentlemen were liable to it ; but it was considered so 
 degrading, that by a special order they were exempted from the 
 punishment. Our aristocratic chiefs, yet, have pertinaciously continued 
 it for the actual working and able-bodied sailors, who in the hour of 
 danger bear the great brunt of the perils to which the service is 
 exposed. How such iniquity can be perpetrated in a Christian 
 country, it would be difficult to imagine. But we know that the 
 interests of the great body of the people are wholly unrepresented 
 in both branches of the senate ; in the upper house, where sit the 
 titled and territorial aristocracy ; and in the lower one, the junior 
 members of their famiUes, combined with the heads of the great 
 mercantile and manufacturing classes. These are all, more or less, 
 bent upon their own individual aggrandisement ; and the means 
 by which too many of them obtain places in the legislature, cannot 
 be characterised as honourable 
 
HEREFORDIA. 
 
 Jl'vi' Bridgr and Cathedral. — This view, taken from the south 
 bank of the river looking east, represents the bridge and the cathe- 
 dral. Few structures of the kind, from the pecuhar suddenness 
 and extent of the floods, which are created by the mountain- 
 streams collected at the head of the river, near Rhayader, require 
 to be so firmly built over a comparatively small river, as the Wye 
 Bridge at Hereford. And few bridges have so well withstood the 
 many floods, which with overwhelming force have borne against 
 this ancient fabric. At the close of the last, and during the 
 present century, the floods ha\ e been so great as to entirely cover 
 the meadows for a great distance on either side, the road through 
 St. Martins, being wholly under \Natcr, and extending from the bridge 
 to the causeway beyond the turnpike-gate, on the way to Ross. 
 The present bridge, the footway of which \\'as widened about thirty 
 years since, was built about the year 1490, replacing a bridge of 
 wood, which was erected in the reign of Henry I. 
 
 Shrine, or Pyx, of Sf. Ethdhert. — .Sir Thos. More, in his abundant 
 wit, says, "The taking up of a man's bones, and setting them in a 
 gay shrine, hath made many a saint." It was just so with Ethelbert, 
 King of the East Angles, of whose death or mart)'rdom, the box, or 
 pyx, in the engraving (more like a Florence oil-chest than anything 
 else in common use), is considered to be a sacred memorial. The 
 particulars of the historic incident having been detailed in the text 
 
NOTES TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 153 
 
 and notes, those here given will relate to the shrme itself. It is of 
 exquisitely curious workmanship, but not more so than many other 
 tributes of veneration. Like the rehcs of Bishop Trelleck, the shrine 
 was lost to the cathedral for several centuries ; but it was discovered 
 on the Continent some forty-five years since, by the late Canon 
 Russell, who purchased it from its then possessors ; and by him it 
 was generously restored to the dean and chapter. 
 
 The Shrine, or Pyx, as it is called, is seven inches long, three 
 inches and three-eighths broad, and eight inches and a quarter high ; 
 it is form.ed of oak, very thick and strong, covered with plates of 
 copper, tastefully enamelled in different colours, and handsomely 
 gilt. The sloping part, or roof, measures three inches in height ; 
 the front panel five inche.3. The figures on the principal side tell 
 the horrible tale of the assassination of Ethelbert. The assassins 
 are cautiously advancing on tip-toe, and pointing to their victim, 
 whilst one is in the act of striking off his head ; and Ethelbert, 
 surprised at his devotions, seems in the act of springing up to meet 
 the hand, which from the cloud appears outstretched to receive him. 
 It has been suggested, that this device might relate to some priest 
 or bishop assassinated during the celebration of mass ; but as mass 
 is not usually celebrated with the head covered, and as the cross 
 on the table is a simple cross and not a crucifix (which last is 
 generally used in public mass), it appears much more probable that 
 the murder was committed during an act of private devotion ; and 
 the dress and crown of the martyr rather denote a prince than either 
 a priest or bishop. 
 
 The design on the upper part or roof of the shrine, still has a 
 relation to the martyrdom. We see there a sort of bier, on which is 
 extended, what, we may suppose to be the body of the martyr : two 
 men are employed in raising it from the ground : it is surrounded 
 by figures, probably intended to represent angels, two of whom are 
 scattering incense ; and two others, standing behind the chair, seem 
 to point to heaven. One of them bears a tablet with an inscription. 
 
 The figures at each end of the shrine may, perhaps, represent St. 
 Ethelbert after his beatification : at least, the glory over the head 
 would lead one to this supposition, as none of the figures on the 
 front, — the assassins, the murdered prince, or the bearers of the 
 bier, — have anything of the sort. 
 
 The colours of the enamel are three shades of blue, a green, red, 
 yellow, and white ; the figures are gilt ; those in front have their 
 heads in relief 
 
1,3-1 HEREFORDIA. 
 
 The back of the shrine is covered witli a mosaic pattern of four 
 pointed leaves, rc])taled within square compartments. The back 
 panel opens downwards as a door, and fastens with a lock. On the 
 inside is a plank of wood, on which is painted a red cross, the usual 
 sign of a relic. This is much stained with a dark liquid, supposed 
 to have been the bood of the martyr. 
 
 Arms of the City of Herford. — Gules, within a border azure, 
 charged with ten saltires sable, three lions passant gardant in pale 
 of the second. Supporters, two lions rampant proper. Crest, a lion 
 passant gardant proper. Motto, " Invictffi Fidelitatis Premium." 
 
 jln/is of the Bishopric, prior to the time of Cantilupe. — Gules, 
 a bezant between three .Sa\on crowns, composed alternately of points 
 and crosses, or, surmounted by a mitre, with fillets proper.- 
 
 TJie Casilc Green ajid Cathedral. — The sketch represents this 
 beautiful public walk, formerly a ])ortion of the site of the old castle 
 of Hereford ; with Lord Nelson's pillar, the Cathedral, and the Read- 
 ing -Room. 
 
 Arms of the JUsho/'rie, assumed by Cantilupe, and now adopted. — 
 Gules, three leopards' heads reversed (two and one) swallowing as 
 many fleurs-de-lis, or. 
 
 Hereford Cathedral, and Lady Chapel. — This is a north-eastern 
 view of the Cathedral, including the Lady Chapel, built by Joanna 
 De Bohun, in the twelfth century, and liisliop Booth's Porch, erected 
 between the }ears i.-|i6 and i,",3,";. The dimensions of the Cathe- 
 dral are as follow : — Total exterior length, 344 ft. ; interior, 325 ft. ; 
 length of the nave, 130 ft. ; great transejit, 147 ft. ; smaller transept, 
 109 ft.; Lady Chapel, 9.3ft.; breadth of nave and aisles, 74 ft. ; 
 nave, 38 ft. ; each aisle, 28 ft. ; Lady Chapel, 28 ft. ; Tower, interior, 
 31ft.; exterior 43 ft ; height of nave and choir, 70ft.; lantern, 
 96 ft. ; tower to battlements, 41 ft. ; and to apex of the pinnacles, 
 166 ft. The length of the College cloisters is loijft. There are two 
 portions also extant of the bishop's cloisters, namely, the eastern 
 and southern, ( rjnnecting the Cathedral with the garden of the 
 bishop's pakice. 
 
 /Irms if the Deanery. — Azure, five chc\Tonels, or. 
 
 Ci OSS of the Black, or Preaching, Friars. — I'his order, totally dis- 
 tinct from that of St, Guthlac, was originally established in 1276, 
 under tlie auspices of William, Lord Cantilupe, brother of the bishop 
 
NOTES TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 155 
 
 of that name. It was first located in Bye-street-without, but was 
 afterwards removed to its present site, Widemarsh-gate-without, 
 which was given to them by Sir John Daniel ; and here the buildings 
 were commenced in the time of Edward II. More than twenty 
 years afterwards, Edward III. enabled them to complete the un- 
 finished portions ; and he was, with his son, the Black Prince, three 
 archbishops, and a strong body of nobles and notables, present at 
 the consecration. About midway between the remains of the 
 monastery and the present hospital, stands the Black Friars' Pulpit, 
 or Preaching Cross, a beautiful and interesting, though decayed, 
 remnant of the later decorated period, about 1350. It is a hexagon, 
 open on each side, and surrounded by a flight of steps, gradually 
 decreasing as they ascend. In the centre is a pillar of the same 
 shape, with two trefoil arches on each side. The roof was embat- 
 tled, and included a dome, surmounted by a stone crucifix. It is 
 probable that this Cross was surrounded by cloisters, so as to afford 
 a shelter to the congregation. 
 
 Capitular Seal of the College of Vicars. — The original, from which 
 the engraving is taken, is about ■2\ inches long, and \\ wide, repre- 
 senting the Virgin Mary, standing underneath a canopy, bearing in 
 her right hand the holy child Jesus, and in her left hand an olive 
 branch. On the upper portion is a shield, which shows, palewise, 
 two chevrons composed of pellets. Legend — SIGILL. COLL. 
 VICAR. ECCLES. HEREFORDIENSIS. The same design ap- 
 pears to have been adopted as the Seal of the dean and chapter of 
 the cathedral ; and this is carved in bold relief over the entrance 
 to St. Ethelbert's Hospital, situate in Castle-street, which is under 
 the governance of the dean and chapter. 
 
 The River Wye from the Prospect at Ross. — The view embraces 
 a beautiful point of the river, immediately below the circular 
 tower erected by the late Mr. Hooper, a gentleman greatly respected 
 by the inhabitants of Ross, and one of the chief benefactors of the 
 town. 
 
 Bishop Trelleck's Crosier and Pope Clements Bull. — These curious 
 rehcswere discovered about fifty years since, in a rude wooden coffin, 
 near the altar in the cathedral, about two feet eight inches below the 
 marble flooring. The coffin contained also the vestige of a body, 
 almost mouldering to dust, the back part of the skull being entire ; 
 on its left side lay a lock of red hair. The crosier traversed the 
 body from the right breast to the left foot. The leaden seal, or 
 
I3II HEREFORDIA. 
 
 " Pope's Bull," with the letters, CLEMENS P.P. VI. {i.e. Pope Cle- 
 ment VI), was attached to it by a silken cord or skein, in perfect 
 prescrMilion. About four inches below the top of the crosier, lay a 
 gold ring, with an amethyst stone near it. The stone has been 
 replaced in the ring, which it perfectly fits. Some pieces of silken 
 stutf were found amongst the dust, but so decayed that they could 
 not be removed. The coffin, an oblong bo.x, was seven feet long, 
 and about two feet wide, composed of oak boards, rough, and about 
 an inch thick, but so uneven as to vary half an inch. A lid had 
 been laid over it, but no nail-holes could be obser\ ed. 
 
 The leaden Bull was about two and a quarter inches in diameter ; 
 and the \e,stige of the crosier is about nine inches long; its breadth 
 across the crook, six inches ; and the diameter of the staff, one inch 
 and a half. 
 
 Bishop Trelleck died in 1360, so that these relics must ha\e lain in 
 his coffin for 450 years. 
 
 iV crosier will be remembered as the pastoral staff, or emblematic 
 crook of a bishop. 
 
 Tlie origin of the term " Bull" has been disputed. Some derive 
 it from " bulla," a seal ; and that from " bulla," a drop or bubble ; 
 while others obtain it from a Greek word, signif} ing a council ; or 
 from the Celtic '' burl," or " bul," a bubble. 
 
 Fosbrooke tells us, that the Papal Bull is a term taken from the 
 seals, but not confined to deeds of popes. It is extended to those of 
 emperors, princes, bishops, etc., who, till the thirteenth century, used 
 seals of metal, which the popes continued with lead in common acts ; 
 gold in more important ones. These seals \aried in form till 
 L'iban II. (about 1088), since which they have been much alike; 
 \ iz., portraits of Paul and Peter, supiiorted b)- a cross ; on the 
 reverse, the Po|ie's name. Alter the two letters P.P., is the number, 
 in Roman numerals, \^hich distinguishes such Pope from his pre- 
 decessors of the same name. 
 
 Bulls of grace and favour had strings of red and \-ellow silk ; of 
 punishment, hempen cords. The most ancient arewrUtenin Roman 
 running-hand ; and in Lombardic, from the twelfth to the thirteenth 
 century, though small Roman characters were occasionally used. 
 A mixture of the two kinds, obtained so late as the fifteenth century. 
 l)u Cange sa\ s, '■ Briefs was the term a])plied to the Pajial acts, sealed 
 with wax ; Bulls to those with lead." 
 
 These very \aluable and curious relics were stolen from the 
 Cathedral about twenty years since, where the)- were placed in the 
 
NOTES TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 157 
 
 Lady Chapel (then used as a library), and preserved in a glass-case- 
 The dean and chapter now only possess a model of them. 
 
 The White Crozs. — In the road leading from Hereford to Hay, 
 at the junction of another road leading to Burghill, and the battle- 
 field of Mortimer's Cross, is an interesting architectural relic, the 
 White Cross. It consists of an hexagonal flight of seven steps, each 
 ten feet long at the base, and gradually decreasing with the ascent ; 
 each step is eleven inches in breadth and twelve in height. These 
 are surmounted by a shaft six feet in height, also hexagonal. On 
 the sides, which are two feet broad, exclusive of a pillar at each 
 angle, are square panels, including pointed arches, which contain, on 
 shields, a lion rampant, which were the arms of the Charlton family, 
 who were formerly Earls of Powis. Above, is an embattled parapet 
 with the moulding and base of a second division of the shaft, which 
 is said to have been destroyed or buried, during the Civil Wars, 
 by the Roundhead soldiery. The entire height of the Cross, which 
 was restored in 1850, at the expense of the Right Hon. and Rev. 
 Lord Saye and Sele (one of the Canons Residentiary of the cathe- 
 dral), is fifteen feet. 
 
 During the prevalence of the Black Death or Plague of 1347, 
 which may be said to have been invited to Hereford by the open 
 moat, narrow streets, and other deficient sanitary regulations of that 
 period, no market-people could be found willing to enter the city. 
 The markets were consequently held at this spot, then a piece of 
 waste ground ; and on this occasion, all clothing and other articles 
 belonging to the citizens, which were deemed infectious, were dipped 
 in large tanks of vinegar. 
 
 Some years afterwards. Bishop Lewis Charlton, whose monument 
 in the Cathedral bears the same heraldic devices, erected the Cross, 
 no doubt in commemoration of the plague, though monkish writers 
 ascribe his motives to a different origin. It appears that St. Canti- 
 lupe frequently walked to and from his favourite palace of Sugwas 
 (situate about two miles and a half distance from the Cross), whence 
 one day returning, and coming in sight of the cathedral at this point, 
 he is reported to have heard the bells ring for some time of their 
 own accord, though it does not appear he ever mentioned the tune. 
 As during the prelacy of Charlton (1361-6) the shrine of the sainted 
 prelate was in the zenith of its power, this tale would doubtless 
 enhance the interest of the Cross in the eyes of the pilgrims. 
 
 Ancient Equestrian Statuette. — This curious relic is supposed to be 
 
i,-,.S HEREFORDIA. 
 
 about 500 years old, and conjectured about that time to have be- 
 come the property of the College of the Vicars Choral, at Hereford, in 
 whose possession it has ever since remained. From the costume of 
 tlie armour, it appears to be about the time of our Henry HI. It 
 is formed of brass, and stands about twenty inches high, and is 
 nearly twelve pounds in ^^■eight, The knight has evidently the 
 crusader's flat helmet, with the ornamental cross forming the sight- 
 jnece ; hauberk of scale-mail, and chausses of chain-mail. The 
 shield on his left arm is wanting ; the sword, in the right hand, is 
 extremely broad, and without the eross-guard. The horse is orna- 
 mented with trappings and breast-band, which lias apparently had 
 bells attached to it; on the forehead of the horse is a projecting 
 tube, and the top of the hehiiet is open, and formerly had a crown. 
 The \\hole of the horse and man is hoUtw ; and whether they ha\ e 
 been intended for use as a lamp, or for the purpose of holding hot 
 water (query, a tea-kettle), the learned are much in doubt. 
 
 Gooiirich Castle and Goodrich Coin/. — A pretty bend of the river 
 ^^'ye, affords a glimpse of the old Castle looking down on Goodrich 
 Court, erected about thirty years since by the late learned antiquary 
 and armourist, .Sir Samuel Rush Me) rick. Knight. This gentleman 
 was commissioned by his late majesty King George 1\'. to arrange 
 the armoury at the Tower, and at ^\'lndsor Castle. 
 
 The Town Hall, Biikhcrs Hall, and St. Peter's Church. — The 
 engra\ing reyncscnts the Old Town Hall, now standing in the High 
 Town, Hereford, but which it is proposed shall be removed, and be 
 replaced by a clock-lower. The Town Hall was erected by John 
 Abel, carpenter to King James I., who also built the Town Halls of 
 Leominster and Ross. 
 
 The Butchers' Hall, a fine old house in the Elizabethan style (and 
 the last of the houses forming the late Butchers' Roh), was erected 
 in 162 1, and stands at a distance of about thirty jjrds eastward of 
 the Town Hall. 
 
 Saint Peter's Church, of which tlie spire is only seen in the 
 engra\ing, is situate at the head of Saint Owen's-street, to which it 
 is a considerable ornament. 
 
 Before the removal of old St Nicholas' church, from the point of 
 junction betw ecn King-street and Bridge-street, the situation of the 
 churches was such as to present one at the head of each of the 
 leading .streets of the city. 
 
 Til/tern Abbey and ilie Wye. — The remains of this beautiftil eccle- 
 
LUOLOW CASTLE. 
 
 " Close-built and nestling on the chm-ch-crown'd hill, 
 Fair Ludlow stands with antique gables still, 
 But not disturb'd by sounds like those of yore, 
 When her stout walls Montgomery's banner bore, 
 The founder of the forti'ess ; by whose fame 
 'Palace of Princes,' dates its fitting name." 
 
 Canto IV. 
 
NOTES TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 159 
 
 siastical structure, stand on the edge of the river, on its southern 
 bank, about five miles from Chepstow. 
 
 Arms of the Author. — Quarterly, ist, sable ; a dolphin embowed, 
 vorant a fish proper ; a mullet, for a difference in chief argent. 2nd, 
 gules ; three Lucies (pike fish) hauriant and erect argent (two and 
 one). 3rd, gules ; a chevron, or, between three arrows, barbed and 
 shafted argent. 4th, gules; three gauntlets erect argent (two and 
 one). Impaling. Quarterly, ist and 4th argent, a fess between three 
 fleurs-de-lis sable ; 2nd and 3rd ; argent, on a bend gules between 
 three pellets, as many swans proper. Crest, a dolphin embowed, 
 vorant a fish proper. JVTotto, " Uecrevi." 
 
 Ludlow Castle. — The ruins of the splendid old fortress are here 
 given as seen from the Herefordshire side of the river Teame. 
 Ludlow Castle, strictly speaking, is not locally situate in the county, 
 but it is included in the diocese of Hereford ; a portion of the 
 borough of Ludlow, however, is in Herefordshire. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 ^mwf'^^'f''^^ 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 Paffc 22, line 6, for For fabric raised by Wilfred, read For fabric raided by Milfred. 
 
 „ 27, „ 3, for A\ ilfred's work, that l^y Atlielstane begun, rmd Milfred's work, tlmt by 
 
 Athelstanc begun. 
 ,. JO, „ 17,/"/- High o'er the stream old Goodrich lifts its head, read High o'er ihc 
 
 stream, see, r;noilrn.ii lifts its head, 
 1, 73, ,, 19, /o7- Ethelfleda; tlu- routed Danes were slain read Ethelfleda, the routed 
 
 Danes were slain ; 
 „ 7'i, „ 12, /or At Hereford, King Edward deposed read At Hereford, King Edward 
 
 was deposed. 
 ,. 84, ,. 17, for Dr. Clarke Whitfield, read Dr. Clarke Whitfeld. 
 ,, 8S, „ 12, for Of Kelpeck Church and Castle take a view, rea.d Of Kilpeck Church and 
 
 Castle take a view. 
 ,. g.^, „ 22, for Th' impasi'ion'd tones of Whitfield's solemn strain, read Th' impassion'd 
 
 tones of M liitfeld's solemn strain. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 
 
In the Press, with Illustrations, Price 5s. 
 
 AUTUMNAL LEAYES FROM SOMERSET 
 
 POETIC, HISTOKICj AND STATISTICAL. 
 
 By J. H. JAMES, 
 
 MIDDLE TEMPLE. 
 
 LONDON :— EDWARD LACEY, 434, WEST STRAND : 
 JIAY, TAUNTON : AND MASON, TENBY. 
 
 Now Ready, Price 5s. 
 
 A PRACTICAL TREATISE 
 
 ON THE 
 
 RIGHT AND COST OF REDEEMING PROPERTY MORTGAGED 
 
 TO BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETIES, AND FREEHOLD 
 
 LAND SOCIETIES. 
 
 By J. H. JAMES, 
 
 OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER- AT -LAW. 
 
 Also J Price 25. 
 
 THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD CHANCELLOR 
 CRANWORTH, 
 
 IN THE CASE OF FLEMING v. SELF, 
 
 (a moktgage redemption suit). 
 WITH FULL REPORT AND NOTES. 
 
 LONDON :— STEVENS AND SONS, BELL YARD, TEMPLE BAR. 
 
In the Press, vrith Illuitrationt, Foolscap 4to. 
 
 MEMORIALS OF HEREFORD; 
 
 ITS CHURCHES AND ANTIQUITIES. 
 
 Br J. H. JAMES, 
 
 MIDDLE TEMPLE. 
 
 LONDON :— EDWARD LACEY, 434, WEST STRAND; 
 
 AND SOLD BY 
 
 PARKER, JONES, PHILLIPS, DAVLES, MBYRICK, & .HEAD, 
 HEREFORD. 
 
 Mow Ready, Price \s. 
 
 GOVERNMENT AS IT IS: 
 
 A PLEA FOR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. 
 
 By ALIQUIS. 
 
 LONDON :— E. STANFORD, 6, CHARING CROSS. 
 
 Now Ready, Price 5s. 
 
 AN ENQUIRY 
 
 INTO THE 
 
 DURATION OF LIFE IN RURAL^ DISTRICTS, 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY TOPOGRAPHICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL TABLES, AND 
 HERALDIC NOTICES. 
 
 By J. H. JAMES, 
 
 OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE. 
 
 LONDON :— EDWARD LACEY, 434, WEST STRAND. 
 
Aiitr Renily, J'rir o.s. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS 
 
 FOR THE FORMATION OF 
 
 VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS' 
 
 EQUIPMENT CLUBS: 
 
 INCLUDING RULES FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. 
 
 By J. H. JAMES, 
 
 OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW. 
 
 LONDON :— STEVENS & SONS, BELL YARD, TEMPLE BAR 
 
 AND BY OKDER OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. 
 
 IVojv Ready, Price Is. 6rf. 
 
 AN ENQUIRY INTO THE 
 
 llcfroIagiT, Ijktoix), |jrr:ilbrg # €pit;ipljiair Insaijftions 
 
 OF THE PARISHFS OF 
 
 COYTY. LALESTON, St. BRIDE MIXOIJ, NEWCASTLE, 
 
 OLD CASTLE, AND MERTHYR JMAWR, IN 
 
 THE COUNTY OF GLAJIORGAX. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE AIIDED THE 
 
 VITAL STATISTICS OF THE PEERS OF PARLIAMENT 
 
 OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. 
 
 B Y J. II. J A M E S, 
 
 MIDDLE TEMPLE. 
 
 LONDON :-EDWARD LACEF, 43J, WEST STRAND; 
 GIJIFFITHS, BEIDGENDi ilAY, TAUNTON: & MASON, TENBY. 
 
Now Ready, Price Zs. 
 
 MEMORIALS OF THE OAK TREE; 
 
 WITH 
 
 NOTICES OF THE CLASSICAL AND OTHER 
 ASSOCIATIONS CONNECTED WITH IT. 
 
 By Miss BURT, 
 
 (authoress of "the lord's phatee familiarly explained"). 
 
 COPIES MAT BE HAD OF THE AUTHORESS, ON APPLICATION BY LETTER 
 ADDRESSED MISS BURT, LOWER NORWOOD, SURREY. 
 
 POPULAR NEW SONGS. 
 
 Now Ready, Price 2s. 6c?. each. 
 THE PUINCE OF WALEs' BIRTH-DAY SONG, 
 
 "HARK! 'TIS THE JOY BELLS' CHEERFUL RING:" 
 
 AND 
 
 A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 
 
 ENTITLED 
 
 "JOY FILLS ALL HEAETS, FOR CHEISTMAS 
 SMILES ONCE MORE." 
 
 Also, Price 2s. each. 
 
 "HASTE, HASTE TO THE HILLS OF 
 BEAUTIFUL WALES," 
 
 AND 
 
 " THE ROSE THOU GAV'ST ME IN SWEET MAY." 
 
 THE WORDS WRITTEN 
 
 By J. H. JAMES, Esq.; 
 
 THE MUSIC COMPOSED 
 
 By G. a. MACFARREN, Esq. 
 
 (author of the new opeba " eobin hood"}- 
 
 LONDON: — CRAMER, BEALE, AND CHAPPELL, 201, REGENT-ST., 
 
 AND BY ORDER OF ALL MUSIC-SELLEES AND BOOKSELLERS. 
 
DEDICATED TO THE EARL OF CARLISLE; SIR JOHN PHILLIPART, KNT. ; THE RT. UOi:. 
 LORD CAMPBELL, LORD CHANCELLOR ; AND SIR MARYON WILSON, BART, 
 
 {In Preparation. In Four Parts; and in One Volume, complete, 
 with Illustrations). 
 
 MEMORIALS 
 
 or 
 
 Cljisfekli, IJHinmersmltlj, j.ien5in(|toit, an^ |fainps!mb : 
 
 HISTORIC, POETIC, STATISTICAL AND HERALDIC. 
 
 By JAMES HENRY JAMES, 
 
 MIDDLE TEMPLE. 
 
 LONDON :— EDWARD LACEY, 434, WEST STRAND. 
 
 G. C. FREUDEMACHER, 
 
 DRAUGHTSMAN AND ENGRAVER ON WOOD, 
 
 123, CHANCERY L.iXE, LONDON. 
 
 (*»* The Engraviiigs in " Herefordia " were executed by G. C- F.) 
 
 WERTHEIMER & CO., 
 
 CIRCUS PLACE, LONDON WALL, E.C. 
 
 The Volume to which these Advertisements are appended, is submitted as 
 a Specimen of their Book and Wood-cat Printing. 
 
 BANK OF DEPOSIT, 
 
 Established A.D. 1844, 
 Ko. 3, PALL ]\IALL EAST, LONDON, S.W. 
 
 Parties desirous of Invf.stixg Monet are reiiue>tr(l to examine the Plan of 
 THE BANK OF DEPOSIT, by which :i higii rate of interest may be obtained 
 with perfect Bccurity. 
 
 Tlie interest is p.iyable in cacli year in January and July. 
 
 PETER MORRISON, 
 
 Managing Direcioh. 
 Forms for (ipcniiuj Accaunts sent J'rce uii ajq^lication. 
 
BRITISH NATION 
 LIFE ASSURANCE ASSOCIATION, 
 
 291, REGENT STEEET (W); and 
 38, NEW BEIDGE STREET, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON, (E.G.) 
 
 Directors. 
 George Bermingham, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 Colonel Hammill. 
 
 Robert Norton, Esq., M.D.,F.R.C.S. 
 
 G. C. Richardson, Esq. 
 
 Samuel Smith, Esq. 
 
 John Thompson, Esq. 
 
 George F. Anderson, E.sq 
 "William Clarke, Esq. 
 Henry Deefell, Esq. 
 James Eurnell, Esq. 
 John Geart, Esq. 
 
 Auditors. 
 John Berry, Esq. | J. S. Coleman, Esq 
 
 J. Locket, Esq. 
 Physician. 
 John Thompson, Esq., M.D,, E.L.S. 
 Surgeons. 
 John S. Bristowe, Esq. I Richard Phillips. Esq, 
 
 William Harding, Esq. | Reginald Read, Esq. 
 
 Consulting Actuary. 
 Thomas Walker, Esq., B.A., F.I.A., F.S.S. 
 Solicitors. 
 Messrs. Eyre and Lawson, 1, John Street, Bedford Row. 
 Provincial Superintendent. 
 Mr. Edward Everett. 
 
 The British Nation Life Assurance Association transacts every kind of Life 
 Assurance business upon Single, Joint, and Survivorship Lives, including the 
 granting of Annuities. 
 
 No extra premium is charged on any Policy held or connected with any 
 Volunteer Rifle Corps, or other Volunteer Regiment. 
 
 The Capital of the Association Is £300,000, subscribed by a large and influen- 
 tial proprietary. 
 
 The following is a summary of the business reported in a general meeting by the 
 Directors on the 30th June, 1860: — ■ 
 
 New Proposals for the year, 1,559, for £309,036; New Policies issued 1,096, for 
 £212,440; yielding a nett annual income of £6,828 13s. 
 
 Total sums assured, 7,505 Policies, for £2,180,953; yielding an annual premium 
 income of £72,200 2s. 5d. 
 
 The Invested Funds (irrespective of subscribed capital) exceed £181,000. 
 
 The gross Annual Income of the Association is now £107,000. 
 
 The number of deaths in the financal year, 1859-60, were 55; and the assured 
 sums paid in claims, were £12,475 I3s. 9d. 
 
 The New Business is now progressing at the rate of £15,000 per annum. 
 
 This Institution and the Companies united with it have paid 2,804 claims to 
 Policy-holders, amounting to £1,154,629 sterling. 
 
 Applications for agencies in places, where the Association is not represented, 
 may be made by letter addressed to the chief offices. 
 
 HENRY LAKE, Manager and Secretary. 
 
GRESHAM 
 LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY, 
 
 3 7, OLD JEWRY, LONDON. E.G. 
 
 Original Trustees. 
 Matthew Marshall, Esq., Bank of England. 
 Stephen Olding, Esq., Lombard Street. 
 William Smee, Esq., Bank of England, 
 
 Directors. 
 
 William Tabor, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 John Beadnell, Esq., Deputy-Chainnan. 
 
 J. Lyne Hancock, Esq. 
 Geokge Loave, r.R.S. 
 Alfred Smee, F.B.S. 
 
 Edward Solly, F.R.S. 
 W. H. Thornthwaite, Esq. 
 George Tyler, Esq. 
 
 Joseph Williams, Esq. 
 
 Loans may be obtained in connexion with policies effected by the Company. There 
 has been advanced in this respect upirards of a quarter of a million since July, 1848. 
 
 Policies are effected without loss of time, formalities being carried through at the 
 OfBce 'every day, from ten to four; Saturdays, ten to two; Medical Officer, daily at 
 Eleven, The Board assembles on Thursdays, at half-past twelve. 
 
 The last declaration of bonus was in ISGO, and will apply in order of priority, 
 to all such policies as are effected on the profit scale prior to August 1 of that year, and 
 are continued until payment of the third annual premium, ending with August 1, 1862, 
 Entrants after July 31, 1860, will not participate until August, 1865. 
 
 A great portion of the Society's Policies are upon first-class lives, but the Company 
 being specifically established to include the Insurance of individuals of regular and 
 temperate habits, in whom health may be more or less impaired, the Board openly seek 
 to transact business of this class at equitable rates, founded upon a careful consideration 
 of these cases. Lives of this description, declined at some offices, are accordingly eligible 
 for acceptance at the Gresham. 
 
 To contrast the position of the Society at different periods of the past with the 
 present, it will be sufficient to repeat that — 
 
 At the end of the financial year (July 31, 1851), its new premiums were 
 £5,124 3s. 4d.; its current premiums, £15,923 Is. 6d.; and its funds at interest or 
 actually in hand, exclusive of deposits, were £21,205 9s. 6d. 
 
 At the end of the financial year (July 31, 1854), the new premiums were 
 £7,129 18s. 6d.; its current premiums, £35,379 9s. Id.; and the funds at interest or 
 actually in hand, exclusive of deposits, were £69,689 4s. lOd. 
 
 At the end of the financial year (July 31, 1860), or six years only from the last 
 series of figures, its new premiums were £19,564 12s. 6d. The Premium Income, 
 exclusive of interest and annuities, was £101,310 lis. lOd., and its funds at interest 
 or actually in hand, exclusive of deposits, amounted to £230,166. 
 
 Annual Reports, Prospectuses and other Forms on application. 
 
 EDWIN JAMES FAUU^l^, Actuart/ and Secretary. 
 
CONSOLS' . 
 LIFE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION, 
 
 429, STRAND, LONDON, W.C. 
 
 CONSOLS-POLICIES 
 
 CONTRASTED WITH ORDINARY HFB POLICIKS. 
 
 The difference between Consols-Policies, issued by this Association, and 
 those of other Companies, is thus seen : — 
 
 CONSOLS-POLICIES. 
 
 1. Their Annual Current Values are defined and endorsed upon them, 
 and they rest upon Government Securities alone. 
 
 2. They are available and negotiable First Class Securities. 
 
 3. They entitle the Insured to withdraw, on demand, about One Half 
 of all his Premiums, on surrendering his policy, and under no circum- 
 stances can he forfeit any portion of its Current Value. 
 
 ORDINARY POLICIES. 
 
 1. Their Current Values are not defined, and they rest upon the security 
 of Private Companies only. 
 
 2. They are not available Securities for monetary purposes. 
 
 3. They do not entitle the Insured to withdraw anything, and most 
 Offices give as little as possible, as surrender-values, for their policies, 
 while the non-payment of a premium by a stated day forfeits the policy, 
 and all the premiums paid upon it. 
 
 These are some of the advantages offered to Insurers by the Consols' 
 System of Life Insurance, prepared by Dr. Farr, of the General Registry 
 Office, Somerset House. On examination of the Prospectus, Tables of 
 Rates, Form of Policy, and other Documents, to be had on application, it 
 will be found that this Association affords to Insiirers the most perfect 
 security, combined with solid personal benefits hitherto not obtainable. 
 The Association is now transacting a large amount of business, particulars 
 of which may be had on application to 
 
 THOMAS H. BAYLIS, 
 
 Managing Director. 
 
 Offices— 439, Strand, London, W.G. 
 
 Public and Private Agents wanted where the Association is not represented. 
 
 z 
 
DEPOSIT, ASSURANCE AND DISCOUNT BANK. 
 
 LIFE ASSURANCE TREASURY, 
 
 (Incorporated Maroli Ith, 1856.) 
 
 For receiving Sums of Money of any amount, bearing 3 per cent. Interest, as 
 Cm-rent Premiums, witliJrawable at pleasure, and entitling to a Free Life 
 Policy; also. Sums on Deposit, at 5 per cent., without Life Assurance; also 
 for granting Assurances, Annuities and Loans, effecting di-connts, purchasing 
 Eevcrsionary Property, and for the general transaction ot Monetary Affairs 
 sanctioned by the Deed of Settlement. 
 
 CAPITAL, £500,000, 
 
 In 500,000 Shares of dEl each. First and only Ca.ll contemplated, 
 23. per Skare. 
 
 Withpowerto create, successively, Three similar Issues o/" £-500,000 each, until 
 the Subscribed Capital shall amount to 
 
 TWO MILLIONS STERLING. 
 
 Directors. 
 Edmund Lloyd Bagshawe, Esq. I Cheistophek M'Adam, Esq. 
 
 Albert Cooksha'we, Esq. | Tobiaii PErPEK, Esq. 
 
 John .James Ridge, Esq., M.D., J.P. 
 
 Bankers. 
 The Bank of England. 
 
 Medical Officers. 
 John James Kidge, Esq., M.D. | Richard Dawes, Esq., M.R.C.S. 
 
 Assurance Secretary. 
 John Newton. 
 
 Chief Offlees-5, CANNON STREET WEST, LONDON, E.C, 
 
 BRANCHES: 
 
 Bath, 1, John Street, Queen Square . Mnnni/cr, E. Lansdown. 
 
 ■Wigan, Bi.shopgate .. ., Henry Lamb. 
 
 Southampton, 2, Oxford Street .. ,, .1. C. Sharpe. 
 
 Reading, 91, London Street .. .. „ T.Curtis. 
 
 Prospecttises, Assurance and Annuity Proposals, and every information, will be 
 fonvarded postage free, on .application at the London OflSces, 5, Cannon Street, 
 West, E.G., or to any of the Local Agents. 
 
 G. H. LAW, 
 
 General Manager. 
 
St. GEORGE INSURANCE COMPANY. 
 
 (Incorporated, 1845.) 
 Chiep Octioe:— 118, PALL MALL, LONDON. W.C. 
 
 Capital, £100 000, in Shares of £5 each. 
 
 DIRECTORS. 
 
 Chairman— HENRY POWNALL, Esq. 
 
 Dei'uty-Ciiaikmak— HENRY HAINES, Esq. 
 BoRLAiSE H. Adams, Esq. i John Benjamin Nevill, Esq. 
 
 Thomas Bradshaw, Esq. Sir T. Herbert Maddock. 
 
 Lewis Hough" Esq. A. E. Miller, Esq. 
 
 R. Kino, Esq., M.D. John Edward Panter, Esq. 
 
 Wm. HiiNiiY Lammin, Esq. i Henry Ward, Esq. 
 
 LEADING PEATUKES OI" THE OFFICE. 
 
 Every kind of Life Assurance on the most favorable terms, and no addiiional 
 Premium charged to members of Volunteer Corps. 
 The Assurance of Defective Titles, thereby restoring property to its full value. 
 Endowments for Husbands, Wives, or Nominees. 
 Endowments for Children on attaining a certain age. 
 Annuities granted on terms peculiarly favourable. 
 Notices of Assignments of policies registered. 
 Medical Referees paid by the Company. 
 Age of rhe Life Assured admitted on all Policies. 
 Stamp Duties on Life Policies paid by the Company. 
 Loans on Real or Personal Security, from one to five years. 
 
 Further particulars, Forms of Proposal, and Prospectuses, may be had on 
 application. j. jj GILBART, 
 
 ^^ Secretary. 
 
 ST. GEORGE ADVANCE FUND ASSOCIATIONS, 
 
 118, PALL MALL, LONDON. W.C. 
 
 These Associations have been successfully established for making Advances on real 
 property of any description^ and on personal security. They afford a safe and profitable 
 investment for capital, in large or small sums, on the one hand ; and, on the other, to 
 meet the demand for pecuniary Loans, to be repaid by small periodical instalments, 
 extending over any period from three mouths to five years. 
 
 The advantages to tradesmen and others requiring immediate advances for business 
 or other purposes, have been clearly proved by the operations ef these Associations, by 
 which accommodation to the extent of upwards of X60,000 has been afforded, in loans of 
 from £30 to £1,000, in less than three years. 
 
 The securities taken for advances comprise real property of every description, or two 
 personal sureties, with a policy of Life Assurance, at the rate of £100 for every £50 
 advanced. 
 
 Prospectuses, Reports, and every information, may be had on application. 
 
 F. H. GILBART, 
 
 Manager.