^"W^^^^W- w /--- i - <:.±- ,j;^-:mam?m Jii'Stcrfr. afiif Jn Vrtui. Oinrrl^^tnrtXenii'nviUe^fny i^\'j_ C O W P E R, ILLUSTRATED BY A SERIES OF VIEWS, IN, OR NEAR, THE PARK OP WESTON- UNDER WOOD, BUCKS, ACCOMPAJ^IZD WITH DESCRIPTIONS. Scenes must be beautiful, which, daily seen. Please daily ; and whose novelty survives Long knowledge, and the scrutiny of years. LONDON: Printed by J. Swan, Angel Street, Newgate Street, AND PUBLISHED BT VERNOR AND HOOD, POULTRY- JAMES STORER AND JOHN GREIG, ENGRAVERS, CHAPEL STREET, PENTONVILLE. 1 803. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Research Library, The Getty Research Institute http://www.archive.org/details/cowperillustrateOOstor DESCRIPTION OF WESTON PARK, SfC. A SURVEY, though in mmiature, of the scenes that occupied the attention, and gave matter to the pen, of the immortal Cowper, must be gratifying to every lover of his muse. It was cause of considerable plea- sure to us, while literally re-treading the footsteps of a character so illustrious, to observe most of the scenery he has described remaining, without material altera- tion, through the lapse of more than twenty years. But our design, in this undertaking, being to rescue from obscurity, and preserve, from the dilapidating hand of time, resemblances of eveiy favored subject in his rural walks, it was a circumstance of regret to discover in oijr research, that the places described by Cowper, unconnected with the demesne of George Courtenay, Esq. had, in many instances, suffered con- siderable change. The Mill, referred to in the fifth book of The Task, is entirely demolished, and, but for a few scattered stones, the place where it stood would be forgotten. It was situated in a meadow at the foot of Clifton Hill, near Olney, and, from the romantic beauty of the sur- rounding scenery, could not escape the discriminating eye of Cowper. In the later editions of Cowper's Poems, a piece is introduced, called The Poplars, the destruction of which he deplores. They may still be traced on the ground by remaining shoots ; but when we conceive that the va- cuum which appears, was formerly occupied by a race of noble trees, only two of which remain, we lament, with the poet, the havock of the axe, and take up his plaint, when he says. The poplars are fell'd... adieu to the shade. And the whisp'ring sound of the cool colonnade; The winds play no longer, nor sing in their leaves; Nor Ouse on its surface their image receives. 5 Thej' stood near Lavendon Mill, about two miles from Olney, on the banks of the Ouse, which, in that place, assumes a majestic breadth, bordered on each side by flags of luxuriant growth, and reflecting, in its meandering course, the various beauties that surround it; among \vhich the poplars were once pre-eminent. Near Kilnwick Wood, about two miles from Olncy, in a north-west direction, mentioned in the Needless Alarm, A nai'row brook, by rushy banks conceal' d. Runs in the bottom, and divides the field; Oaks intersperse it, that had once a head. But now wear crests of oven-wood instead ; And where tlie land slopes to its wat'ry bourn. Wide yawns a gulph beside a ragged thorn — — . This pit, though still to be seen, is nearly filled up — Our design was to represent it, but, being in the vi- cinity of trees, so remote from beauty, as those Cowper has noticed, we found it impossible to do it without the accompaniment of objects mutilated and bare. Thus much we trust will be sufficient to exonerate us from the charge of omissions, and, we embrace, with pleasure, the opportunity remaining, which is still con- siderable, to illustrate such a poet as Cowper, and, in particular, such a poem as The Task. When Cowper wrote The Task, he resided at Olney, and it appears by the arrangement of his sub- jects, his most frequent walk to Weston was through the fields. We propose, therefore, to follow him with as little deviation as possible in his ramble ; and as there are many who may Avish to gratify themselves with a sight of the places to which he has given cele- brity, who are unacquainted with a way so indirect, we shall, for their accommodation, retm'n by the road, and, by this proceeding, give a ready clue to every ob- ject. From the town of Olney, westward, over three fields, the ascent is gradual to the eminence referred to by the poet in these lines. How oft upon yon eminence our pace Has slacken'd to a pause, and we have borne The ruffling wind, scarce conscious that it blew. From tliis elevation is seen a prt)spect extensive in every direction but the north, which is bounded by a quick hedge on rising ground. A little to the eastwai'd may be discovered an elegant mansion, the residence 7 of John Higgiiis, Esq. near the village of Turvey. In the horizon behind is Steventon, in Bedfordshire • further east stands the " square tow'r" of Clifton Church, near which is Clifton House, the seat of Alexander Small, Esq. and, ranging still eastward, the prospect is bounded by Clifton Wood ; till, due east, is seen the " tall spire" of Olney Church and a considerable part of the town. To the southward is the pleasant village of Emberton, on the right of which appears, when the weather is clear, Bowbrick-hill, and the church on its summit, at the distance of nearly fourteen miles. Due south, in an extensive valley, appear the devious windings of the river Ouse, whose mazy and deceptive course assumes the semblance of various streams : the meadows are likewise intersected by dykes, cut for the purpose of draining floods, wliich give the land, even in times of diought, a delightful verdure. On the banks of the Ouse stand the trees which Cowper mistook for elms. A little to the west, across the valley, on the ascent, appears the magnifi- cent mansion of William Praed, Esq. called Tyrin»- ham House ; to the south-west is Weston House, the 8 seat of George Courtenay, Esq. embosomed in the trees of the park, which, at this distance, has the ap- pearance of a wood. West-south-west may be seen the Alcove, and near it, on a steep decUvity, the Colons nade, below which is the Peasant's Nest. Due west is Kihwick JFood, and behmd it, though not seen, the wood of T)ingk-derry. From the eminence, we descend into a valley, and ^ass the place where the peasant formerly dipped " his bowl into the weedy ditch," and climbing the ascent, aiTive, " upon the green-hill top," where is situated THE PEASANT'S NEST. This farm house is on a small estate belonging to a Mr, Chapman: it was completely obscured by the- elms that surrounded it, only three of which now remain, the rest having been felled, about four or five years since, for the purpose of defray mg the expence of inclosing certain pastures allotted to Mr. Cliapman in the lordship of Emberton. The trees may still be traced on the ground by their remainiug stumps and the abundant shoots rising hum them. The house, ,.VS ANT'S SEST. / ■ / / I'trff Ai- •pvX: H<^- 1- 9 since Cowper wrote, has been altered, by removing the thatch, and covering the roof with tiles ; and the in- convenience it was subjected to, from the want of water, has been obviated by sinking a well ; the habi- tation, by this means, has been rendered more desirable than when he first discovered it. This place is admira- bly calculated for the indulgence of contemplation, being completely secluded From such unpleasing sounds as haimt the ear In village or in town. Here may be possessed " the poet's treasure, silence," and here indulged " the dreams of fancy, tranquil and secure." Its nearest neighbourhood is Weston House, at the distance of about half a mile, though not within sight — the village of Emberton being the only habitable spot in view : this may be seen from the front of the cottage, through a narrow vale, across Weston Park : the bold swell of sloping hills in the fore- ground, conti-asted with the softened tones of distant landscape, richly variegated, forms an effect, beyond description, pleasing and picturesque. This view is taken from the high walk in the Park, the only place B 10 from which it can be seen to advantage. From this point the house is in part obscured by the remaining ehns, on the left, which, retiring in perspective from the eye, their foliage is united, and they appear like a single tree : the garden, shrubbery, and a spreading walnut-tree, inclose it on the right, and backed by a rising woodland scene, delightfully diversified, it still has pretensions to the appellation given it by Cowper. Rising west, from the Peasant's Nest, we pass through a narrow plantation, under the shade of yews, firs, and pines, from which, entering an avenue, between two rows of well-grown chesnuts, " a length of colonnade invites us ;" and, while enjoying its wel- come shade, we obtain a view of Weston House; a beautiful, though transient, peep, it being soon ob- scured by intervening foliage. The descent, through the Colonnade, is aptly de- scribed by Cowper, the fall of the ground being ex- tremely precipitant and abrupt. At the bottom, passing a little gate, we come innuediately upon THE RUSTIC BRIDGE. This bridge was built, about sixty years since, by THK Rl'STIC BRIWCK. 11 Mr. John Huggins, for Sir Robert Throckmorton, the grandfather of its present possessor, for the purpose of keeping up a piece of water in the Park : it spans a deep brook, forming a scene remarkable for its wild and romantic beauty, and, after winding its latent course along the bottom of a woody vale, meanders through the Park, and crosses the road from Olney to Northampton, at a place called Overs Brook. The willows near the bridge, whose pendant boughs, "bathed in the limpid stream," are cut down, but their site is still marked by rising shoots. The bridge terminates a grove of trees, which fills the valley, bordering the north-eastern extremity of the Park ; here is seen " The ash far-stretching his umbrageous arm; Of deeper green the elm; and deeper still. Lord of the woods, the long-surviving oak." Ascending from the Ptustic Bridge, along the north- ern boundary of the Park, a path, under the canopy of spreading oaks and elms, leads to the Alcove. This walk is alluded to by Cowper in the beginning of the sixth book of the Task : it commanded a view of Em- berton Church across the vale, and from hence he 12 lieard " the music of the village bells ;" but, from the increased growth of the trees, that stand on the high walk in the Park, the prospect is now nearly excluded. The ascent is difficult, being thickly tufted by mole- hills, incrusted by verdant moss, and mingled with flowery thyme, the scattered sweets of which, regaling the scent, deceive the labor of the stumbling walk ; for here the firmest footstep is continually eluded by the yielding earth. On the summit stands THE ALCOVE. This structure is a sexagon, of a light and graceful form, composed of wood : it was erected, about fifty years ago, by the same person who built the Rustic Bridge. This pleasant retreat has been deserted by the family, on account of a fatal accident which happened to the builder's son ; who, being employed, about twenty years after its erection, in painting the roof, fell from it, and was killed on the spot. The painful reflections which occurred on every visit to the scene of this catastrophe, having induced the family so long to avoid it, it begins to assume evident symptoms of decay, which is much to be regretted, as it forms a noble Omv/i t Eiuirni'S hr M 'Stertr. i:hc ALCOVK &om the A-^'E:frerE . t^fou- tttiy ^.ff// /ft'ff /tr/A/ /'^r ^.^ttr^Ai/ aJe/l . N'lEW :fkom tiri:e axco-^^. n / ■ ■ * / ^ <,rf{il,t f ff //7 ro/ft ffirj nn. , ' V^ AtTa^Ui^kl L^'J.n^sji;rdiarvtA/Paulau. Ja'JUftr.\Jn'4ii^.AipeI Sirtt rma-miOc J£*yi-'A>.t- 13 ornament to the Park, and affords a resting place both seasonable and convenient, in the face of a delishtful and extensive prospect. The view we have represented is in a direction south-east from the Alcove : in the centre is seen the termination of the grove, commencing at the Rustic Bridge, and the brook just emerging from the shady vale : over the grove may be discerned the tops of firs and pines, which form the plantation between the Co- lonnade and Peasant's Nest ; and rising from the foli- age like a lofty obelisk, is Olney spire, beyond which, are the hills in the vicinity of Clifton : the row of dis- tant trees, on the eminence, is the high walk, from which is seen the Peasant's Nest. The Alcove, being open in three divisions, presents as many distinct, though not equally extensive, pro- spects : through the middle compartment, on the left, the park appears finely adorned with clumps of noble trees, and, among the various foliage, part of Weston House is visible : the Avenue presents itself directly in front: through the opening, on the right, is seen the western boundary of the Park, the walls of which are judiciously excluded by plantations. 14 (Quitting the Alcove, and proceeding to the Avenue, tlie dechvity is " sharp and short. And such the re-ascen| ; between them weeps A Httle Naiad her impoverish'd urn All summer long, which winter fills again." This little Naiad is nothing more than a narrow chan- nel to drain the hollow; and we cannot repress our admiration of the unbounded powers of figurative poetry, which can raise the minutest trifle to the ap- pearance of dignity and consequence. A few paces on the ascent stood a wall, which was continued across the grounds from east to west; the foundations may, in many places, be discovered: it served as an inclosure for cattle on one side, and, on the other, towards the house, for deer, with which the Park was formerly stocked. The entrance from one inclosure to the other, is thus described by the poet, who was favored by Sir John Throckmorton with a key, that he miglit, at all times, obtain ready access: " The folded gates would bar my progress now, Bnt that the lord of this inclos'd demesne, Coinniunicative of the good he owns. Admits me to a share." Tin: 'Wiii.pi^^ii^.y.s:^ „ (Erotn the Orove ) ■^«#<5w^ uvt4>tt4j/i w/uit^'Z'cr' ^tarv TUell>^T«jk.li**-kTT 15 Having gained the aclivity, we enter the Avenue, under the uniting branches of lofty hmes, which form a " graceful arch; Yet awful as the consecreated roof. Re-echoing pious anthems! while, beneath. The chequer' d earth seems restless as a flood Brush'd by the wind." In the middle of this Avenue, on turning back, is seen the Alcove, which being painted with a lively white, and inclosed on either side with darksome yews, pre- sents the pleasing and striking effect, which we have endeavoured to represent. THE WILDERNESS. From the Avenue we enter the Wilderness by an elegant gate, constructed after the Chinese manner. On the left is the statue of a lion, finely carved in a re- cumbent posture : this is placed oil a basement, at the end of a grassy walk, Avhich is shaded by yews and elms, mingled with the drooping foliage of the labur- num, and adorned with wreaths of flaunting woodbine ; the walk forms a border to the Wilderness on the nor- thern side, and is ornamented with two handsome urns, one of which we have represented. On its base is ]6 engraved an epitaph, to Neptune, a tavorite clog of Sir John Throckmorton's, written by Covvper, which we have transcribed. Here lies one, who never drew Blood himself, yet many slew; Gave the gun its aim, and figure Made in field, yet ne'er puU'd trigger. Armed men have gladly made Him their guide, and him obey'd : At his signify'd desire. Would advance, present, and fire. Stout he was, and large of limb, Scores have fled at sight of him; And to all this fame he rose. By only following his nose. Neptune was he call'd ; not he. Who controls the boist'rous sea: But of happier command, Neptune of the furrow'd land; And, your wonder, vain, to shorten, Pointer to Sir John Throckmorton. The other is inscribed to a Spaniel, as follows: Though once a puppy, and though Fop byname. Here moulders one whose bones some honor claim: No sycophant, although of spaniel race. And though no hound, a martyr to the chase. Ye squirrels, rabbits, leverets, rejoice. Your haunts no longer echo to his voice. TlieTEMFI.'E in flic WH^DEKNESS, ^yi tf^A cffiz'fr/itfe rf/^ ^f/e^fc a^i^ e/h^z/ ^tt-^ee/i t y^ t f tt /-fot/^ I'tftit/f/j/ . Mile th' T,7^k. liix^c I. IT This record of his fate, exulting view, He died, M'orn out with vain pursuit of you. Yes; th' indignant shade of Fop rephes. And, worn with vain pursuits, man also dies. Opposite to the entrance is a winding path, leading to THE GOTHIC TEMPLE. In the front of the Temple is a hexagon plat, surrounded with a beautiful variety of evergreens, flowering shrubs, and elms, whose stems are covered with a mantle of venerable ivy. In the centre of the plat stands a ma- jestic acacia. On the left, a serpentine walk, under a sable canopy of spreading yews, winds to an elegant vista, bordered on either side with laurels, syringas, lilacs, and woodbines, overhung with the golden clusters of the laburnum, interspersed with branching elms, and beeches entwined with circling ivy. At the end of the vista stands a bust of Homer. This bust was in the possession of Cowper, when he resided at Weston, and stood in the shrubber}^ behind his garden ; and, it may be seen, that the bard it represents ranked high in his estimation, by a Greek couplet which he wrote on its base, accompanied with a translation by Mr. Hayley, as follows : c 18 The sculptor nameless, though once dear to fame; But this man bears an everlasting name. Near the bust is a deeply-shaded, winding path, that leads tln-ough the Wilderness, and brings us to the Grove, whence we pass a handsome gate to the vil- lage of Weston, about the centre of which, on the right, is WESTON LODGE. This house is built of stone, showing a handsome and extensive front, ornamented by vines and jasmines, which entwine their spreading branches, and overhand the windows in verdant wreaths. It commands from the front a prospect into an orchard planted with well-grown trees, and the village, being straight, on either side may be seen its extremities, bounded at one end by the church, and, at the other, by the gate above mentioned. The inside is roomy and con- venient : it has a good kitchen-garden, and an or- chard, which was formerly Cowper's Shrubbery ; but the pursuits of its present possessor differing, in some degiee, from those of the poet, every appearance of this kind is obliterated, except that an officious ._y/,r .-Ar..,,/,-,,,;- '■///"■ /nlr'll "y»n-^».r( ■.•^: f Ti'om t/tr Grove) >/a •Jtirifr ondAiert^. Oa^t Strut, TnttmvUU. Mky i fit^j . 19 flower occasional}}^ rears its head, and, in tacit terms, upbraids the destroyers of such a scene. This httle labyrinth was much admired, being laid out in the most pleasing style, and ornamented with several summer seats, placed near the borders of serpentine gravel walks, shaded and adorned by the mingled beauties of various flowering shrubs. Returning to the Park from Weston, on the left, we enter the Grove, Between the upright shafts of whose tall elms We may discern the thresher at his task. And, under the reviving influence of their shades, we view the north-west front of WESTON HOUSE. This house stands on the south side of the Northamp- ton road, and commands a most extensive prospect. It is extremely irregular in its appearance, having been built at different periods. The front we have represented, is the newest part of the edifice, and was erected by Sir Robert Throckmorton about the be- ginning of the last century. In the windows of the gallery are some coats of arms, in stained glass, with 20 the date, 1572; but some parts of the house appear to be of an earlier age, and were probably erected several centuries antecedent to the above period. This estate came into the possession of the present family, towards the middle of the fifteenth century, by the marriage of Sir Thomas Throckmorton, Knight, with the daughter of Robert Olney, of Weston. The Park was considerably improved by the grandfather of the present possessor. It was laid out under the di- rection of Mr. Brown, then famous as a landscape gardener, who, availing himself of the advantages of nature, by the aid of art, has produced, in the grounds of Weston Park, a lasting monument of his taste. Continuing our walk towards Olney, at a short dis- tance from the house, the view we have given pre- sents itself. In the centre, overhanging a boat-house belonging to Mr. Courtenay, stands a cluster of pop- lars, which Cowper calk THE ELMS surrounding " the herdsman's solitaiy hut." In compliance with our intention to illustrate the poet, we have retained the name he has conferred, though THinE EX,MS. ,y/,',>,-./rrj/.'tc>oUc/rn //itcl OaiiA- . r //,i/i,/ III- re r trinM-/oo/<-f/.aur/'iirif/e r/i/i^ , fy/i-iiJ /c-rffyii Ml- /ii-it/.a-?riayn:i .>i-/i^"> >/ '"'/,: Vi.IfAii:uk /l,'fk/ 21 we were convinced, from ocular demonstration, it was erroneous; and have also received a communication from Mr. Courtenay*, who observes, that Cowper wrote the passage in the Task, which refers to these trees, under the influence of a mistake, and he had often told him of the circumstance. The trees stand on a broad level of low land, remote from any object of equal magnitude, and are, in every direction, pro- minent and conspicuous. The accompanying scenery is charmingly described by the poet in the following lines: Here Ouse, slow winding through a level plain Of spacious meads, with cattle sprinkled o'er. Conducts the eye along its sinuous course. Delighted. While far beyond, and over- thwart the stream,. That, as with molten glass, inlays the vale. The sloping land recedes into the clouds. Proceeding still towards Olney, we come to the Spinnie, or * We take this opportunity to acknowledge our obligation to this gentleman, and several others of the town of Olney, who favoured us with some important information, and paid a kind and ready attention to our enquiries. SHRUBBERY. The entrance to this retired spot is by a gate on the left side of the road, whence a path conducts through the windings of a lonely alley, sliaded by the stately sycamore and spreading oak, diversified with fir, beech, lime, and elm, to an ampler space, inclosed on either side by the pensive yew, here stands the Moss House. This delightful retreat Cowper has celebrated in some verses of exquisite pathos, written, as he observes, "in a time of affliction ;" and, surely, every reader must feel for the unhappy bard, who, ^v hen speaking of the beauties of this spot, says, they jare such as Might soothe a soul less hurt than mine. And please, if any thing could please. And though at this time the peculiar sensations of his mind permitted him no enjoyment whatever, yet, in hap- pier moments, this lowly roof was often honored with his presence ; and a few lines of his composition, which he caused to be painted on a board, and placed in the THE SHRUBBEKY. ■ //if f ^at'ii/ or- 'Ucyrn/)j/ ,i/iotiM /if't'i . y/if.i ''//lo/.'> ,/i;'i<;i , '-i/Zfi/. Vidf Ihc-Hinihhrr}: r„IJ 23 Moss House, may give a full idea of the altered state of his mmd. Here, free from riot's hated noise. Be mine, ye calmer, purer joys, A book or friend bestows; Far from the storms that shake the great. Contentment's gale shall fan my seat. And sweeten my repose. This board being stolen, Cowper substituted anothei', with the following lines from the sixth book of the Task : No noise is here, or none that hinders thought. Stillness, accompanied with sounds so soft. Charms more than silence. Meditation here May think down hours to moments. Here the heart May give a useful lesson to the head. And Learning wiser grow without his books. Pursuing our walk, we proceed through what re- mains of this sequestered alley, whose devious, moss- grown path is bordered by flowering shrubs, which fill the air with their fragrance ; while, from the pendant boughs above, the ear is saluted with the melody of warbling birds, producing an effect at once solemn and delightful. 24 Returning by the Avay we entered, near the gate is seen OLNEY CHURCH. Continuing our walk towards the town of Ohiey, having the Shrubbery on the left, we arrive at Overs Brook, which crosses the road like a rivulet, but may be passed over by a wooden bridge. The prospect from the road is extensive, connnanding a view of the meadows, intersected by the windings of the Ouse, the village of Emberton, and a range of richly-cultivated distant lands, divided by " hedge-row beauties num- berless." By the best traditionary accounts, Weston was formerly a hamlet belonging to Olney ; but Overs Brook being, in times of flood, so swelled as to make it dangerous, and almost impracticable to pass, either to perform woi'ship or to bury the dead, the priests made application, and obtained leave of the Pope, to build a church at Weston ; since which they have been separate parishes. At what time Olney Church was built is uncer- tain, none of the church records being dated earlier than 150 or 160 years back ; though, on repairing ' /'///'■ y/fU- ./>offi /t'/t/r// f/zf . f Of/ /If/ r/ r/zt't't/f/// /'/■//.) U.ii- thi-ru^K'IUH>hl J,iTSlertr i'Jn.Cra.tChartiSire^Jint»n,-UU.M^uutf3 25 the church, about two years ago, on one of the beams of the roof was found the following inscription : " This beam was laid up by Ben Marriott and Michael Hinde, churchwardens, July IJ, I7I8 ; and 700 years from its first building." This date probably alludes to the first erection of a church at Olney ; as the style of the present building is that commonly termed Gothic, and must therefore be of more mo- dern origin. On entering the town and turning to the left, we come to the market place : at the lower end is situated the house in which Cowper resided. This is a large, red-brick building, and has not any thing, either in its situation or appearance, to recommend it ; being on the skills of a place called Sihe?- End, a name as significant in Olney, as that of St. Catharine is in London. Indeed, the town of Olney is by no means a desirable spot; lyhig in a bottom, it is subject to frequent fogs and damps, which are extremely per- nicious, and occasion aguish and rheumatic disorders. Cowper i-allies his own situation here, at the time of a flood, in a humorous epistle to Lady Austin, then at Clifton, which may be seen in Hayley's Account of his Life. D ,26 Having completed our tour, by returning to the town, we proceed to , OLNEY BRIDGE. This structure is noticed in the opening of tiie fourth book of the Task : " Hark, 'tis tlie twanging horn o'er yonder bridge." It consists of twenty-four arches, of various forms, and placed at irregular distances, bestriding the whole width of the valley, which, when completely over- flowed, presents an expanse of water grand beyond description. The bridge has been broken down many times by the rvishing current, which accidents have occasioned much altercation between the inhabitants of Olney and Emberton : as the bridge, uniting the parishes, was thought to be a joint concern, but it has lately been decided in a court of law, that it belongs exclusively to Olney, and, consequently, all the ex- pence of repairs are thrown upon that parish. This view was taken in the meadows near the town's end, on the side next Weston : in the distance is seen the J^,-.,/u,/'.' //if ii'iini 1/ /u>t>i/< , „ , «r '<'■"" / / yUtOaTiuk.Bi^l' jr. 27 " embattled tower" of Emberton Church, and part of the village emerging from the trees. But imitative strokes can do no more Than please the eye. Sweet nature, every sense ! The air salubrious of her lofty hills. The cheering fragrance of her dewy vales. And music of her woods,— no works of man May rival these. The vignette, on the title-page, represents the Summer-house of Cowper : through the window is seen part of the parsonage house, and the wall which surrounds the garden belonging to it. In this wall a door was opened, which being separated from his garden by an orchard, he rented a passage across the latter, for which he paid one guinea per annum: from this circumstance the place was called Guinea Field. This little summer house, which measures on the floor six feet nine inches, by five feet five, he humorously describes in various letters, published in Hayley's Life of Cowper. It was formerly occupied, he says In one of those letters, by an apothecary as a smoking room, and it appears he had contrived a hole in the ground (covered by a trap door) in which he kept his bottles. And in another to his cousin Lady Hesketh, who was about to visit Olney, he calls it a " Band-box" and his " Work-shop," in which he fabricates all his verse in summer time, and amuses her with the idea, that when she pays him a visit there, they shall " be as close packd as two wax figures in an old fashion- ed picture frame." THE END. J. Snan, Primer, Angel Street, SewgiUe Street.