BEAU NASH.

So may thy years, from grief and pain,
And pining want be free;

And thou from heav'n that mercy gain

The poor receive from thee!

309

It has a gallery for a band of music at one end, and, at the other end, in a niche, stands the full length statue of Richard Nash, Esq. commonly called Beau Nash, who was Master of the Ceremonies many years in this city. To him are the citizens indebted for having restored the place by his activity and his wise regulations, to prosperity. He is represented as when living, with his waistcoat opened almost to the bottom, and a white hat under his arm. He died here at an advanced age in the year 1761, and his death was regretted by the inhabitants. With all his foibles, he was charitable, and exerted himself with zeal in the establishment of the Infirmary, a circumstance honourable to his memory. An anecdote is told of him too singular to be omitted. When he brought in his account to some gentlemen, among other articles he charged-For making one man happy, 10l.! Being questioned about the meaning of so strange an item, he declared, that happening to overhear a poor man declare to his wife, and a large family of children, that 10l. would make him happy, he could not avoid trying the experiment. He added, that if they did not chuse to acquiesce in the charge, he was ready to refund the money. The gentlemen, struck with such an instance of good-nature, thanked him for his bene

volence, and desired that the sum might be doubled, as a proof of their satisfaction.

Bath, besides its ABBEY, which has many fine monuments, contains several parish churches, and also meeting-houses for the methodists and dissenters. The Unitarian chapel is particularly neat, and is respectfully attended, under the care of the Reverend Joseph Hunter, author of an elaborate History of Sheffield. My summer vacation of 1816 was passed with my family at Bath, amidst a pleasant circle of connections. It is certainly one of the most agreeable cities in the world. Here is also a theatre; and Sidney Gardens, laid out with delightful walks, are not far from the city.

Lansdown, in the vicinity of Bath, is rendered memorable by a battle in the civil wars of Charles the First, where the King's forces defeated those of the Parliament, July 5, 1643; but the victors sustained a loss by the death of the brave Sir Bevil Grenville.. A monument is erected here by George Lord Lansdown, in commemoration of the above victory. The inscription stands thus:

To the immortal memory of his renowned grandfather,
and valiant Cornish friends,
who conquered,

Dying in the royal cause, July 5, 1643.
This column was dedicated

By the Hon. GEORGE GRENVILLE, Lord Lansdown, 1720.
Dulce est pro patriâ mori.

This monument I visited, but it is sadly out of repair. The spot is delightful, affording a view of

the city of Bristol, and even of the mountains of the Principality.

Lord Clarendon remarks, that "in this battle, on the King's part, were more officers and gentlemen of quality slain than private men; but that which would have clouded any victory, and made the loss of others less spoken of, was the death of Sir Bevil Grenville. He was, indeed, an excellent person, whose activity, interest, and reputation, were the foundation of what had been done in Cornwall; and his temper and affection so pacific, that no accident which happened could make any impression on him; and his example kept others from taking any thing ill, or at least seeming to do so: in a word, a brighter courage, and gentler disposition, were never married together, to make the most innocent and cheerful convertion.”

From some parts of Bath is seen Prior Park, where Ralph Allen, Esq. resided for many years. He was, originally, in the lower ranks of life, but by the establishment of the cross-posts raised himself to opulence. POPE often visited at Prior Park, and here he introduced Warburton, who afterwards married Mr. Allen's niece, which eventually elevated him to the bishopric of Gloucester. Allen was partial to the literati, and treated his friends with hospitality. The gardens adjoining the mansion are spread out on the declivity of the hill. In one of the walks the water seems as if gushing out from a rock, and near it is a statue of Moses, with a staff in his hand.

He appears in an attitude expressive of the admiration he must have felt after having struck the rock and seen the water flowing from it!

Since writing the above, I have visited PriorPark, a large mass of buildings, situated on an eminence, and encircled by beautiful gardens. I saw it in a state of desertion. Of the housekeeper I asked several questions, many of which she could not answer, modestly saying, it was not her spere! She however referred me to an old woman below, who occupied the entrance into the grounds, and from her indeed I learnt many curious particulars. Pope she well remembered small and diminutive, Warburton gigantic and proud, whom she termed my Lard, Allen mild and conciliating, always intent on the happiness of those around him. These I consider as characteristic traits. This poor old woman was the humble "historian of the plain," and I was gratified with her unassuming modesty. Prior Park has been lately visited by the Queen, during her residence at Bath, and the newspapers mention the present proprietor as being a Quaker, of the name of Thomas.

In Claverton Church-yard is a neat mausoleum, with appropriate inscriptions, covering the remains of Ralph Allen and his family. The Reverend R. Graves was for many years the Rector of Claverton; he was the author of the Spiritual Quixote: he died at an advanced age, preserving to the last his spirit and agility.

REV. MR. WARNER.

313

The Rev. Dr. James Fordyce, author of Ser mons to Young Women; and also to Young Men; * together with some admirable Addresses to the Deity; closed his active and useful life in this city, 1796, where he lies buried. He was altogether an extraordinary man, notwithstanding the exceptions of Mrs. Woolstonecraft to part of his writings. The Rev. Dr. Lindsay, in his Funeral Sermon, has done justice to his character and memory.

As to Dr. Fordyce, I have often been surprised that his works have not been published, with a Life of its Author. No man is better fitted for it than the Rev. Dr. Lindsay, who I hoped would have undertaken it. His productions, making allowance for the style which is acceptable to young people, are calculated to make an impression on the rising generation.

Before I took my leave of Bath, being beneath the hospitable roof of my friend Mr. Tr, I had the pleasure of being introduced, by a gentleman of his acquaintance, to the Rev. Mr. Warner, the pedestrian tourist through Wales and various parts of England. He is a pleasing writer, and his History of Bath is creditable to his ingenuity and industry. His Sermons also, are not only well written, but they breathe the spirit of Christianity. Indeed he embraces every occasion

*There is a very neat edition of these Sermons, printed in a convenient portable size, published lately, price 7s. or separate 3s. 6d. each, which I would recommend to the attention of my young friends.

P.