Preb May 25.1805ky MDays 42 Devonshire Street Que are

Fountains Abbey Yorkshire.

FOUNTAINS ABBEY.

To feel, is to be alive; he only can be said truly to live, who is capable of enjoying the beauties of creation. Here the admirer of nature will receive a high treat, from elegant formed woods, sinking into deep glens; decorative buildings in various appropriate situations; a fine canal of water, to add a grace; and withal, one of the most grand and highly picturesque ruins in the kingdom. It rises in solemn majesty above the surrounding scenery with the stately port of a giant. For myself, I appeared to tread on enchanted ground, the mind being kept on the stretch, by a display of new beauties, which ever way I glanced my eye.

Retire to a respectful distance, ye dull and phlegmatic worldings; this spot is sacred to the arts, prophane it not with unhallowed feet. He who is not an enthusiast towards such scenes as these, may be said to be dead to the finest feelings bestowed on man by a bountiful Creator. Let such frigid mortals as can view this place with apathy, seek for languid pleasures in the artificial amusements of a theatre; or, turning their eye from the great orb of day, retire to prattle in the illuminated and crouded walks of a public garden. Hence,

I

Hence, avaunt, ('tis holy ground!)
Comus, and his midnight crew;
And Ignorance, with looks profound;
And dreaming Sloth, of pallid hue;

Mad Sedition's cry profane;

And Servitude, that hugs her chain;

Nor in these consecrated bow'rs

Let painted Flatt'ry hide her serpent-train in flow'rs:

Nor Envy base, nor creeping Gain,

Dare the Muse's walk to stain;

While bright-eyed Science watches round :

Hence, away, 'tis holy ground!

GRAY.

But

Here is ample scope for the moralist; let him behold here the perishable labors of man. THOU, Almighty Creator of the universe, thy works flourish for ever! Opposite the high altar, see that sacred repository of the dead. That stone coffin once contained the body of the redoubted Lord Richard de Percy, who held a principal charge under Edward the First during his wars in Scotland. Alas! where now is that tongue that was wont to command? and that hand which was irresistible? Of his ashes not one atom remains to speak of his former greatness. Who hath not seen beauty perish, and renown sink in the midst of his triumphs?

We also shall be forgot. This lofty house shall fall. Our sons shall not behold the ruins in grass. They shall ask the aged, 'Where stood the walls of our fathers.'

OSSIAN.

The