If taste, correct and pure, Grounded on practice; or, what more avails Then boldly deem thyself the heir of fame. The village of MICKLEHAM, is situated near the foot of Box Hill, which, with the opposite eminences, give the village the appearance of a Punchbowl, which it is sometimes called. It is watered by the river Mole, and is orna mented with several gentlemen's seats, particularly MICKLE HAM MANOR, belonging to Sir Charles Talbot, bart. JuNIPER HOLE, built by Sir Cecil Bishop, and lately possessed by Mr. Jenkinson, who accumulated a fortune by a lottery and servants's office at Charing Cross; and now the residence of Sir Lucas Pepys. At the back of the inn, the sign of the Horse and Groom, lived Guthrie, the historian, and here he compiled many of his works. Mickleham CHURCH, is a very old structure; the western door being Saxon. Within is a chapel, now the family seat of Mr. Lock. Here is an antient monument to one of the WYDDOWSON family; it is called by Aubrey Wyddolkson. Box HILL, in this parish, received its name from the box trees planted on the south side of it, by the earl of Arundel, in the reign of Charles I. but the north part is covered with yews. These groves are interspersed with a number of little green spots and agreeable walks. From the highest part of this hill, in a clear day, is a prospect over part of Kent and Surrey, and the whole of Sussex, quite to the South Downs, near the sea, at the distance of thirty-six miles. The west and north views overlook a large part of Surrey and Middlesex; and advancing to the place called the Quarry, upon the ridge of the hill that runs toward Mickleham, the sublime and beautiful unite together in forming a delightful scene: we look down, from a vast and almost perpendicular height, upon a well-cultivated vale, laid out in beautiful inclosures, and see the river Mole windVOL. V. No. 115. Tt ing ing close to the bottom of the mountain, as if it were di rectly under our feet, though really at a great distance. In this charming valley are Burford Lodge, built by Mr. Eckersall, and the cottage called the GROVE, built by Mr. Reeves, who successfully employed art to improve the natural beauties of this spot. The cottage is situated in a dale, almost obscured from sight by the luxuriant foliage of trees, which overspread it on every side. Mr. Reeves formed in the gardens a solitary hermitage, with all its attendant furniture, and a small apartment, with a matted couch, for the repose of the hermit, should such an one be inclined to make it his abode. Previously to his entrance, however, the following lines on a head-stone were to arrest his attention: Happy the man!—and he alone appears, Who having once, unmov'd by hopes or fears, Survey'd this Sun, earth, ocean, clouds, and flame, Is life an hundred years-or e'er so few, 'Tis repetition all, and nothing new: A fair, where thousands meet, but none to stay; Now plung'd in business, now in trifles lost;~ On the REVERSE. Too oft the unthinking part of human kind, When pleasure calls or fancy leads the way, The giddiest knows-and keeps the appointed day; Whilst every trifler cries-" Since life's a breath! Health may prolong; but can't the debt forgive: Hence a serpentine walk led to the verge of the Grove, by a Gothic gate, over which appears the following: "These are the haunts of Meditation; These the scenes where antient bards Future trials, fated to prepare ;— And numberless such offices of love But the most elegant lines generally describing this ro mantic spot, were written by Mrs. Knowles, relict of Dr. Knowles, over a seat surounding one of the trees in this delightful plantation; Come gentle wanderer!-sit and rest, No more the winding maze pursue. Art thou of solitude in quest Pauze here-and take a solemn view, Behold this spirit-calming vale, The letter'd stone, the Gothic gate; Thou'lt bear life's ill, nor fear to die;- M. K. 1782. The Grove, since its first proprietor, has been in the possession of Mr. Bockett, and at present belongs to Mr. George Barclay. On the opposite eminence is situated a seat, called DENBIGHS, formerly remarkable for its gardens, laid out in a singular style, by Jonathan Tyers, Esq. the first proprietor of Vauxhall of that name; now belonging to Joseph Denison, Esq. Among other singularities, Mr. Tyers had contrived to represent "The Valley of the Shadow of Death." Awful and tremendous the view, on a descent into this gloomy vale! There was a large alcove, divided into two compartments, in one of which the Unbeliever was represented dying in great agony. Near him were his books, which encouraged him in his libertine course, such as Hobbes, Tindal, &c. In the other was the Christian, represented in a placid and serene state, preparing for the mansions of the blessed. DORKING is a pleasant little market town, situated about twentythree miles from London, on a rock of soft sandy stone, in the angle of two fine vallies surrounded by beautiful hills, from which are such grand prospects as are unparallelled by any inland country in this kingdom. The The town was destroyed by the Danes, but being rebuilt by Canute or his Norman successors, was granted to John earl of Warren and Surrey by Edward II. in 1316. In 1518, a fourth part of this manor was recovered, by Maurice marquis Berkley, from king Henry the Eighth, by law, to whom the marquis's late brother had, to his prejudice, conveyed it. In 1547, Thomas Mowbray, earl of Surrey, held this in right of his wife in marriage. Threefourths of this manor now belong to the heirs of the late Sir William Burrell; the other part to Sir Henry Paulet St. John Mildmay, heir to Mrs. Tucker, of Betchworth Caftle. The custom of Borough English prevails in this manor, that is, the youngest son is heir to a copyhold estate; which is supposed to have originated with the Saxons. Also another antient custom was, that the lord had a right to claim the first night's lodging with every bride on her wedding-night; which Dr. Plott supposes was the reason for the tenant's making his youngest son his heir, that he might be secure he was his own. But, as the lord made laws for his tenants, and not the tenant for himself, this is not probable. The CHURCH was collegiate, founded and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has a square tower near the middle, in which are six bells and a set of chimes. Tradition ascribes the building to the founder of the church of St. Mary Overy, Southwark, and that there were several other churches here. Through the churchyard passes the Roman causeway, called Stane Street, over Letherhead Downs, &c. towards London. About half a mile north of the town are large chalk-pits, whence are carried great quantities of chalk for manure; and the lime from the neighbourhood is generally reckoned superior to that made in most parts of England. The meal trade at Dorking is considerable. The market day is Thursday, which, for many ages, has been one of the greatest in England for poultry; it is likewise a good corn market. There is only one fair, held the day before Ascension |