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most magnificent landscape which then burst on my sight. Loch Lomond most unexpectedly expanded itself before me in one wide sheet of water, slightly ruffled by a gentle breeze, and studded with numerous beautiful little islands, whose minute woods, valleys, and plains, appeared extremely delicate and enchanting in comparison with the stupendous mountains rising in sublime grandeur from the edges of the lake. The commencement of the Grampian hills and Ben Lomond, on the eastern shore, with Ben Voirlich, whose sides were white with snow, in the distance, and some other rugged mountains on the opposite side crowd round the margin of the lake. Stretching from the western shore, towards the cluster of islands, which emerge from the surface of the water, the little wood which surrounds the retired village of Luss was a spot on whose serene beauty my eye rested with peculiar pleasure, after gazing on a scene of almost repulsive grandeur. Clouds slumbering on the heights of these mountains seemed with these hills to seclude the scene from the bustle of busy man; while the effect of the whole was completed by the ripplings of the slightly agitated lake upon the pebbly beach, and the hoarse murmurs of the torrents of melted snow, forcing a passage through the craggy ravines into the lake befow. As the road skirted along the margin of the Loch some new scenes at intervals broke in upon the landscape to interest me in my walk; and admiring with rapture the beauties of nature, which I had never before beheld so strikingly romantic, I reached the inn at Luss at seven in the evening, having walked seven and twenty miles. Here I made immediate enquiry concerning a pedestrian party of gentlemen, who left Glasgow the Saturday before, and had gone round by Inverary. I found that they had not been at Luss. The inn was rather extensive for such a place. Its unpainted wainscoats, doors, and shutters, with its brick floors, would have been a cold cheerless sight to me had I not felt considerably fatigued, and perfectly enraptured with the novel scene around me. After tea I wandered through the village, which consists of a row of small cottages, straggling to the inn towards the shore, and obtained another glance of the Loch and

its innumerable accompanying beauties. The cottagers were just then retiring to their humble habitations, and exchanging their evening salutations of 66 gude night;" and the smoke of the peat over which they were preparing their homely porridge was creeping through the branches of the firs which spread themselves above the roof. I was now anxious to enjoy a little rest, and was ascending the staircase to my bedroom, when the four gentlemen, concerning whom I had been enquiring, entered the inn. A little frightened at the rugged path which lay before me, forced myself on their party, and promised to be with them early the next morning, to climb Ben Lomond. TO BE RESUMED,

I rather

C. E.

FOR THE POCKET MAGAZINE.

REFLECTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS MADE ON A WALK OVER BOX HILL, IN THE SUMMER OF 1818. BY A CONSTANT READER.

IT was at that season of the year, when nature, enrobed in all her majesty of verdure, calls forth the wonder and admiration of man, and presents a scene replete with subjects for a contemplative mind. The all-glorious sun shed over the fields his magnificent rays, and seemed far advanced on his diurnal tour, when I ascended this beautiful elevation, and rested myself on a small clump of box, to indulge the reflections produced by a scene so truly sublime. heavy tolling of the distant bell suggested to me, that another of my fellow creatures had fallen a victim to the hand of devouring time, and served as an additional proof of the shortness of human existence. I looked around, and beheld on all sides the mansions of the opulent, presenting most enviable situations for the numerous enjoyments of rural life. The fields ap

*

The

The Deepden, the seat of T. Hope, esq.-Denbies, the seat of W. J. Denison, M.P.-Norbury Park, the property of W. Lock, esq.-Juniper Hill, the seat of Sir L. Pepys, bart. and numerous others.

peared covered with the fruits of the earth; the stately avenue was in all its summer glory, and the whole face of the scene displayed the beneficence of our Creator in all his works. In looking towards that castellated residence,* almost immediately at the foot of the hill, my feelings became overpowered by the sad recollection of a past event, as awful as sudden. Can man, exclaimed I, hear of such a circumstance as this, and yet be callous to the uncertainty of his existence? Can he still heap up riches, calculating on the future enjoyment of them! Can he contemplate the sudden death of this worthy character, and remain thoughtless of the transitory state of this life, of the liability of being hurried to an untimely end in the midst of all his pleasure, in the height of his gay and licentious career? Let the atheist reflect but on this event, appalling to human nature, let him pause awhile on a subject so important to his future happiness, and then, if he deny the existence of a deity, or his irresistable power, he, in truth, deserves not the name of man. The inhabitants of Dorking have placed in the parish church, a neat tablet, with a suítable inscription recording their esteem for this worthy nobleman; and the great loss of his exertions for their welfare has been felt in every class.

Turning my eyes from a scene so productive of melancholy reflection, my attention was directed to the celebrated Leith hill, a very conspicuous object in the view, and from which you enjoy the most extensive prospects in this kingdom. Mr. Hull, a gentleman of good fortune, built the square tower on the summit, about sixty years ago, for the purpose of extending the view; there having formerly been a staircase by which you might ascend to the top. This gentleman placed here a Latin inscription, denoting his object; but this has been defeated, in consequence of the door being blocked up, and the interior partly

* Betchworth Castle, the seat of II. Peters, esq.

+ The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Rothes was hunting in this park; was suddenly taken ill, and was carried to Betchworth Castle, where he expired about an hour afterwards, owing, it was said to the breaking of a blood-vessel.

filled up with rubbish. This was done shortly after his burial there.

On noticing the town of Dorking, which lies in the valley, beneath the dingy smoke which was ascending from the town, somewhat reminded me of a view of the metropolis from Brixton Hill. The church appeared to be very small, and as I was afterwards informed, not capable of affording accommodation to more than two thirds of the inhabitants in the Town. It is an indisputable fact, that this want of accommodation in country churches must tend, in no inconsiderable degree, to add to the number of dissenters in every parish; and there certainly is a striking proof of its effect in the religious habits of these people. And thus, thought I, is the cause of our established church weakened, to save the expenditure of a few pounds (comparatively speaking) for general repairs. This, however, is not the sole reason why our churches are deserted. There is another strong one in that species of partiality which takes place in the allotment of pews; for I have known a gentleman of fortune claim five pews in one church, and it is no uncommon thing for one person to have three, one for his family, another for his servants, and a third for visitors and friends occasionally. There are also many other mismanagements, for a long time the subject of universal complaint in all parishes, which merit the attention of the respective churchwardens.

In the neighbourhood of the town, there are many genteel cottage residences, which, from the neatness of their appearance, form a pleasing feature of this delightful landscape. The vicinity abounds with the most beautiful scenery, is justly termed the garden of Surrey, and has at all times engrossed the attention of true lovers of nature. I walked on, and came to a stump of wood, which serves to denote the grave of an eccentric man, named Major Labelliere, who expressed a wish to be buried here with his head downwards. His brain, it is said, was affected through disappointment in love. I seated myself on this humble monument, and looked down on the beautiful little estate at the foot of the hill ;* which might be termed a tcr* Burford Lodge, the seat of G. Barclay, esq.

restrial paradise from its retired situation. The winding walks through the sequestered vale seemed well qualified for those sweet pleasures afforded by solitude; where secluded from the cares of the world man might reflect on the past, and qualify himself for the future; where, surrounded by the beauties of nature, he might consider the numerous blessings conferred on mankind, and offer up his just tribute of praise to an all-wise Creator. The residence situated in the midst of this rural retreat, presents an object of neatness and elegance combined; and is somewhat inclining to the style of a modern cottage ornée, forming en toute ensemble the most pleasant little spot I had ever yet beheld. Its grounds are watered by the "sullen" Mole, whose trickling waters add to the effect of so enchanting a scene. And, thought I, is it possible that man, in the midst of all these blessings, can forget their origin? Child of the dust! humble thyself; lay aside thine earthly dignity, and forget not him who is the author of thy prosperity; but who can snatch thee from its enjoyments, when thou art least expecting it.

I rose from my resting place, and looking again at the numerous mansions of the wealthy, which studded this beautiful country, I began to ruminate on the happiness of mankind in its various forms. I considered these dwellings as constructed for the comfort of their inmates; and yet, said I, the noble portico, or the spacious residence, is not to be estimated as the basis of this comfort; for wealth too often gives only the semblance of happiness and it is the source of misery when improperly acquired. How sweet must be the life of that man, who, retired from the busy world, and made independent by industry, can sit down in the midst of his family, under his own roof; whose peace of mind is not infested by family disagreements; whose pleasures are innocent; whose health is not impaired by gluttony or intemperance; and, lastly, who repines not at the lot of those rolling in gilded luxury, but passes the remainder of his days in virtuous contentment, the source of every joy. This, however, is not always to be met with in the seats of opulence; but more frequently among that

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