IN MEMORIAM. THE messenger of God came down And whisper'd low the solemn words Then softly spread his folded wings— And in the angel's gentle arms Was swiftly borne away. Was borne away to that far land Where spirits rest in peace, Where faith and hope are lost in sight, But love shall never cease. Oh! mystery of life and death Oh! mystery of love— The love that shields us here on earth Is round our child above. And though we grieve from him to part, 'Twas love that sent the message forth To call him home to Thee. G. J. S. THE C. L. A. AT ARBURY. On Saturday, July 9th, a party of forty-nine proceeded to Arbury, the country seat of C. N. Newdegate, Esq., M.P. They were most courteously and hospitably received by Mr. Newdegate, who himself shewed the principal points of interest in the house and grounds. These have now almost a classic interest, in addition to their actual beauty, as being the scene of the late George Eliot's "Mr. Gilfil's Love Story.' The restoration and large additions to the mansion alluded to in the tale were made at the close of the last century by Sir Roger Newdegate, the founder of the celebrated Oxford prize known by his name, who is the Sir Christopher Cheveril of the story. Sir Roger was his own architect, employing only country workmen upon his great work, the erection of which took many years. The ceiling of the "large saloon" is one of the richest to be seen anywhere, and occupied between seven and eight years in execution. Mr. Newdegate informed the writer that he has still in his possession all the models and tools with which the work was executed, all of Sir Roger's own design. The three gothic windows, which show so handsomely in Mr. Cund's illustration, are also a magnificent addition to the interior of the noble dining room. With vivid memories of the charming story, we followed our worthy host up into the gallery, which is the museum of the house, full of curiosities of all climes. From thence Tina took the dagger before going out on the terrace to meet, with rage and murderous purpose in her heart, her fickle lover, whom she found already dead. The quaint old billiard table had a charm for us, as being Sir Christopher's own, and the one on which Tina and Anthony Wybrow, or he and Miss Assher may have played well nigh a century ago. Said Mr. Newdegate, "It is a very bad old table indeed;" but it was far more interesting than a brandnew Burroughes and Watts. Next, the chapel, with its richly moulded ceiling, where we can see Sir Christopher and his stately Lady, and the assembled servants, and Mr. Gilfil in the reading desk, and all waiting to know why Miss Tina does not join the worshippers. Hence we pass into the Great Saloon, the ceiling of which was still unfinished at the time of the story, 1788. "The bow window was open, and Sir Christopher, stepping in, found the group he sought examining the progress of the unfinished ceiling. It was in the same style of pointed gothic as the dining-room, but more elaborate in its tracery, which was like petrified lace-work picked out with delicate and varied colouring. About a fourth of it still remained uncoloured, and under this part were scaffolding, ladders, and tools; otherwise the spacious saloon was empty of furniture, and seemed to be a grand gothic canopy for the group of five human figures standing in the centre." George Eliot's description of the Hall as seen from the Terrace is worth quotation :— "A charming picture Cheveril manor would have made that evening if some English Watteau had been there to paint it-the castellated house of grey-tinted stone with the flickering sunbeams sending dashes of golden light across the many-shaped panes in the mullioned windows, and a great beech leaning athwart one of the flanking towers and breaking with its dark flattened boughs the too formal symmetry of the front; the broad gravel walk winding on the right by a row of tall pines along the pool on the left branching out among swelling grassy mounds surmounted by clumps of trees, where the red trunk of the Scotch fir glows in the descending sunlight against the bright green of limes and acacias; the great pool where a pair of swans are swimming lazily with one leg tucked under a wing, and where the open water lilies lie calmly accepting the kisses of the fluttering light-sparkles; the lawn, with its smooth emerald greenness, sloping down to the rougher and browner herbage of the park from which it is invisibly fenced by a little stream that winds away from the pool and disappears under a wooden bridge in the distant pleasure-ground." The view from the wooden bridge spoken of above is charming and peculiar a long vista of fine trees all reproduced in the dark mirror of the stream below which forms the watery avenue. Mr. Newdegate honoured the C. L. Á. by joining the party in their pic-nic in a fine old oak panneled room called the Tenant's Hall. Το the repast he very kindly added a bountiful supply of strawberries and cream, and himself provided wine in order that the Queen's health might be loyally honoured. Mr. Newdegate proposed this in very eloquent terms, and also responded to the toast of his own health proposed by the Chairman, our Vice-President, Mr. Collier. The interest of Arbury is not solely dependent upon the Hall, but possesses the added charms of unusually fine timber, several small lakes, terraces, extensive gardens, a beautifully undulating surface generally, and a park stocked with about 300 deer. The beauty of the park, the interest of the Hall (not usually open to visitors), and above all the genial courtesy of Mr. Newdegate; will make the day a very bright one in the memory of all who were present to enjoy it. The absent only have cause for regret OUR CONFIDENTIAL CORNER. "SPES."-Assuredly we shall be pleased to hear from you. Why so long silent? "AMYAS."—Yes; but we should prefer it in prose. 'CRITIC."-Possibly so; but if you think you could do better, why not do it? Those who attempt, are at least on the right way to improve, and by criticism unaccompanied by help-we cannot much profit. INTENDING CONTRIBUTORS to the January number will oblige by forwarding their contributions to the Editor, not later than December 3rd. |