ing close to the bottom of the mountain, as if it were directly 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,
Well satisfied returns from whence he came.-

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;
An inn where travellers bait, then post away;
A sea where man perpetually is toss'd,

Now plung'd in business, now in trifles lost;-
Who leave it first, the peaceful port first gain :
Hold then! no farther launch into the main ;-
Contract your sail; life nothing can bestow
By long continuance, but continued woe;
The wretched privilege daily to deplore,
The funerals of our friends who go before;
Diseases, pains, anxieties, and cares,

An

age surrounded by a thousand snares.

On the REVERSE.

Too oft the unthinking part of human kind,
Punctual in folly or in vice we find;

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!
To-morrow nothing shall prevent-but Death!"
Why must the tongue alone that word impart,
Why comes it not, ye thoughtless! from the heart?
Why against every other debt prepare,

And Nature's still more certain debt forbear?
Death is the certain end of all who live;
Health may prolong; but can't the debt forgive:
Then why procrastinate the wholesome hour,
When the next moment is beyond our pow'r?
Millions have liv'd upon To-morrow's name,
And, dying-found To-morrow never came.
Enter the gate-unless your pausing mind,
Unwilling leaves the glittering world behind,
The scenes a momentary heaven can shew;
For Contemplation's all the heaven we know!-

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
Th' inspiring breath extatic felt; and, from
This world retir'd, convers'd with angels,
And immortal forms, on gracious errands
Bent, to save the fall of Virtue, struggling
On the banks of Vice-in waking whispers
And repeated dreams to kindle pure thoughts,
And warn the favoured soul for

Future trials, fated to prepare ;—

And numberless such offices of love
Daily and nightly, zealous to perform!

But the most elegant lines generally describing this romantic 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.

Tt2

Behold

Behold this spirit-calming vale,
Here stillness reigns-'tis stillness all;
Unless is heard some warbling tale,
Or distant sound of water-fall.

The letter'd stone, the Gothic gate;
The Hermit's long forsaken cell,
Warns thee of thy approaching fate;
O! fear to die!-not living well!
But if in Virtue thou increase,

Thou'lt bear life's ill, nor fear to die ;-
Then ev'ry breeze will waft thee peace,
And foretaste sweets of promis'd joy!

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 Castle.

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

Ascension Day, for cattle and lambs, and used to be accounted one of the greatest lamb fairs in England; but is very much reduced, on account of the dealers round Horsham engrossing great numbers and sending them to Smithfield market. The fair still continues for toys, &c.

DORKING is seated on the river Mole; an incredible quantity of poultry is sold here, which are large and fine, and remarkable for having five claws. Frequently, about Christmas, capons are so large, as to weigh between seven and eight pounds out of their feathers.

On COTMAN DEAN, a pleasant little common or heath, which London physicians say possesses the finest air in England, are almshouses for widows, who have neat apart. ments and an allowance in money.

On this Dean stands DEEPDEN, situated in a valley, surrounded by steep hills. Deepden is remarkable for having been the residence of the great earl of Arundel (the collector of antique statues, &c.) in the troublesome and dangerous times of Charles I. In the eighteenth century, Mr. Charles Howard, who here amused himself with chemistry and other philosophical researches, planted the level ground about the house with a variety of exotics. In improving the pleasure grounds, some of the flues of the old elaboratory were dug up. The hills were covered with trees on every side, excepting the south aspect, which was planted with vines; and some tolerably good wine was made here, though the hill is so steep, that it is difficult to ascend it: the vineyard is no more. On the summit of this hill is a summer house, where, in a clear day, the sea may be discerned. This romantic spot descended to the late duke of Norfolk, who pulled down the old house, and built a handsome one in its stead. The offices being considerably lower than the house, the communication between them is subterraneous. The late duchess was very fond of the gardens, and formed here a hermitage, with all the humble requisites for a holy anchorite. In the gardens, on the sides of the hill, are