the Basin, the route, described thence in the DRIVES, must be pursued by the Perambulist, till he see a cross + cut in a grass bank, on the left, and a foot path bearing to the right. On entering that path, he will find himself in almost impenetrable shade, till a seat present itself,-placed there for the convenience of persons who traverse the grounds in a contrary direction, rather than for those who pursue this downward way. A little below, another Seat will be found to have more powerful claims upon his time, as commanding a view that cannot fail to excite admiration. this romantic spot, called

BELLE VALE,

If in

rural Beauty of a surpassing nature, be not discovered, there must be something unpropitious in the season, when it is viewed, or some defect in the eye that surveys it. Peering over a rich and extensive group of wood scenery, the coronated Tower of the distant Castle seems to occupy a midstation between earth and air; while the whole of the intermediate landscape delights by its bold and charming irregularities.-The Spire of the more distant Parish Church (from no point seen to more advantage) shoots up towards that Heaven, whither the holy offices, there performed, are calculated to direct the heart of every devout worshiper.-In fallen and faded majesty, the Priory, so often contemplated, with painful emotion, as a degraded wreck of ancient grandeur, leads back the wandering eye to the confines of this diversified

and lovely valley.-The wild, yet placid features by which it is characterized, as we trace the pleasing path before us, arrest the pencil,-bidding the hand that holds it, forbear all attempts at description. They who cannot judge of the scene from ocular observation, must picture to themselves whatever they have heard of, or beheld, in those tamer parts of Switzerland, where the mind is rather soothed than astonished by the most secluded and tranquillizing recesses of nature.-Such is the general character of a Valley, which the present writer avows to be his favourite Retreat; to which he has frequently fled, either for those secret communings, by which the heart is improved; or to disburthen it of cares, with which the vicissitudes and afflictions of life have oppressed it.— For a few paces-wearing

"A grief-worn aspect of its former years”—

the desolated Priory again becomes visible; when the path, as if in kindness, soon sinks to conceal that dishonoured edifice from the view.

Having passed under some arching branches, the picturesque Tree, whose Portrait the author has attempted in the annexed Sketch, will be admired for its singular appearance. Perched on the very brink of a rock, that has partly fallen from under it, the greater portion of its intertwining roots are left quite bare, sprawling on the side of the cliff in different directions; and yet the fine branchy head, vigorous and full of leaves, is undeprived of the powers of vegetation. Every part

of it overhanging the Steep, beyond the centre of gravity, its own weight, independently of the violence of an easterly wind, seems so likely to bring it down, that no person would choose to remain under its gigantic trunk during a storm. Quitting it, with an idea never more to behold it on its present elevated station, the ascending path will be pursued, till. a bank, clothed with perennial verdure, called

THE IVY BED,

attracts admiration. Contrary to the wonted habit of Ivy, it here grows downward, covering a space of about 60 feet in length, with pendent trailage. As the rambles of the Pedestrian will now soon terminate, he who, unobtrusively, has pointed the way through these scenes, whispers a hope, near this "gentle Evergreen," that what has been viewed, will not soon fade from memory: at the same time sincerely wishing, with the late benevolent Lord of the Castle, that the almost finished excursion, "may conduce to the visitor's Health, as well as to his Pleasure."*

On re-entering the Drives, that portion of them that has not been seen, lying to the left, should, by all means be traced, at least as far as the wooden Seat, mentioned in page 14,-first perusing the descriptive account of what intervenes between that Seat and the present spot; the objects, so described, being viewed to equal advantage while proceeding towards the Seat. Af

* See Appendix