"And now and then sweet Philomel would wail,- Or stock-doyes plain amid the forest deep, And still a coil the grasshopper did keep, And still these blended sounds inclined all to sleep." Canto 1, Stanzas 4, 5. Various kinds of fir, the laurel, laurustiņus, juniper, and other shrubs flourish here in all seasons; whilst the spreading boughs of the cedar and the dark and drooping folds of the melancholy cypress, in some of its walks, form a not disagreeable contrast to the livelier verdure of the shrubs. At one time the explorer of its recesses is delighted with the utter loneliness of its shades, broken fitfully by the vibrating wing or aerial plaint of the dove; at another, in gaining some impending height, his eye, piercing through their sylvan vistas, is solaced with a wider view of fields and woods, and the gleam of waters expanded beneath him. This beautiful plantation is spread over a space of 200 acres, and is bounded on the north by the park wall. In the park are upwards of 1,000 head of deer, which add much to its picturesque appearance. The principal entrance to the park is on the London side, and consists of a long semicircular wall, panelled, with two masses of stone at each end, in imitation of towers. In the centre are three circular arches, with wrought iron gates, in 66 front of which are four Ionic columns supporting the ducal arms. On the reverse is a Latin inscription, recording the date of its erection, and that it was built by John, the present duke of Bedford. A fine avenue of elms leads from the abbey in a northerly direction along the brow of the hill, below which, on the left, built by the present Duke, in a most romantic situation, amidst clusters of thorn trees, whence its name is derived, stands a rustic lodge called the Thornery, executed with great taste, The interior walls are curiously painted with festoons of flowers, twining up a frame of trellis-work; two concave mirrors, wreathed round with roses and convolvuli, so skilfully designed as to seem an actual embossment, reflect the scene without the opposite glass doors, and a circular window of stained glass flings a sombre light over the room. China roses, the virginia creeper, and clematis, twine around the outer pillars, and envelope the roof in a mass of delicate green. Beds of flowers and shrubs are disposed around the building, and beneath the umbrage of oaks on the smooth-shaven grass, seats are stationed. Knots of primroses, cowslips, and other native plants, which "Blow before, the swallow comes, and take "The winds of March with beauty," have with much art been planted at their fantastic roots. The trickling of water at a distance, attracts the stranger's feet along a winding path, till he comes to a "living spring, hung round with greens and shells, the placid beauty of which can only be adequately described in the words which Lord Byron has applied to the Italian grots of Egeria." "The mosses of thy fountain all are sprinkled As with Elysian water-drops; the face Of thy cave-guarded spring, with years unwrinkled, The rill runs o'er; and round fern, flowers, and ivy creep, The green hills Are clothed with early blossoms, through the grass Of summer-birds sing welcome as ye pass; Equidistant from the Abbey and Town is situated the Park-Farm, deservedly celebrated for its various agri cultural conveniences. It had formerly a steam engine for grinding and threshing corn, but this has been lately removed, and its place supplied by a water wheel of great dimensions, its diameter being 24 feet. All kinds of agricultural implements, &c. are to be found here in the highest perfection. Here are also extensive buildings for fattening cattle, stables, piggeries, a large rick yard, granaries, &c. On the north side is a large yard, with workshops for the mechanics of various descriptions, and a timber yard, beyond which is a simple but elegant lodge in the Tuscan style. On the south side are extensive walled kitchen gardens, in the centre of which is a neat house for the superintendent. In the farm-yard is a commodious house for the bailiff; and on the west side, the agreeable residence of Mr. Salmon. In the various improvements which have for the last 20 years occurred in the park and neighbourhood, the talents of the most eminent artists and mechanics have been engaged, and the whole carried on under the direction of Mr. Salmon, the Duke's principal surveyor, whose genius and abilities have been too frequently exerted not to be generally known and appreciated. This brief description may serve to convey an imperfect idea of the taste and beauty which distinguish this noble demesne; but it is necessary to visit it to enjoy properly its various attractions. THE Origin and Genealogy OF THE RUSSELL FAMILY. ON the invasion of England by William the Norman, in 1086, Hugh de Russell, or Rossel, (who took that name from his estate in Normandy,) was one of his attendant barons. The conquest of the kingdom by that fierce and daring invader, and his subsequent division of it into 700 baronies, and 62,215 knight's fees, is well known. The portion of this baron was in Dorsetshire, from whence he, and his successors assumed the title of Russels of Barwick. His two immediate successors were of the same name. To them succeeded Odo, whose son and heir, Sir John Russell, married the daughter of Lord Bardolph. For a licence to accomplish this marriage, he paid 50 marks (£33 68. 8d.) to king John, A. D. 1203. In 1221 he was appointed constable of Corfe castle. Ralph, his son, married the daughter of James, baron of Newmarch, and Derham. His successor was William, who obtained a grant of a market on Thurs |