less partial to him than either his acquaintance or his friends. If any of those should be so candid as to approve the variety of subjects he has chosen, and the tenderness of sentiment he has endeavoured to impress, he begs the metre also may not be too suddenly condemned. The public ear, habituated of late to a quicker measure, may perhaps consider this as heavy and languid; but an objection of that kind may gradually lose its force, if this measure should be allowed to suit the nature of Elegy.

If it should happen to be considered as an objection, with others, that there is too much of a moral cast diffused through the whole, it is replied, that he endeavoured to animate the poetry so far as not to render this objection too obvious, or to risk excluding the fashionable reader; at the same time never deviating from a fixed principle, that poetry without morality is but the blossom of a fruit-treePoetry is, indeed, like that species of plants which may bear at once both fruits and blossoms, and the tree is by no means in perfection without the former, however it may be embellished by the flowers which surround it.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE READER.

To this edition is subjoined (for the sake of those readers to whom it may not prove unwelcome) an explanation, or, rather, in most places, a liberal imitation, of all the Latin inscriptions and quotations throughout this Work by Mr. Hull. That gentleman's well-known friendship for Mr. Shenstone, and willingness to oblige, being his sole inducements to this (as be chuses to have it call'd) trifling addition, the editor thinks it no more than a just return of gratitude to let his purchasers know to whom they are beholden for it. Be it remembered, however, that it was executed in a country retirement, where our eminent translators of the Classics were not at band to be consulted.

A DESCRIPTION

OF THE LEASOWES*,

The Seat of the late William Shenstone, Esq.

THE Leasowes is situate in the parish of Hales Owen, a small market-town in the county of Salop, but surrounded by other counties, and thirty miles from Shrewsbury, as it is near ten to the borders of Shropshire. Though a paternal estate, it was never distinguished for any peculiar beauties till the time of its late owner. It was reserved for a person of his ingenuity both to discover and improve them, which he has done so effectually, that it is now considered as amongst the principal of those delightful scenes which persons of taste, in the present age, are desirous to see. Far from violating its natural beauties, Mr. Shenstone's only study was to give them their full effect; and although the form in which things

The following Description was intended to give a friend some idea of the Leasowes-which having been so justly admired by persons of the best taste, and celebrated by the Muse of such an original genius as Mr. Shenstone, it is hoped the public will not be displeased with this slight attempt to perpetuate those beauties, which time, or the different taste of fome future possessor, may destroy.

now appear be indeed the consequence of much thought and labour, yet the hand of art is no way visible either in the shape of ground, the disposition of trees, or (which are here so numerous and striking) the romantic fall of his cascades.

But I will now proceed to a more particular description. About half a mile short of Hales Owen, in your way from Birmingham to Bewdley, you quit the great road, and turn into a green lane on the left hand, where, descending in a winding manner to the bottom of a deep valley finely shaded, the first object that occurs is a kind of ruinated wall, and a small gate, within an arch, inscribed, "The Priory Gate." Here, it seems, the company should properly begin their walk, but generally chuse to go up with their horses or equipage to the house, from whence returning, they descend back into the valley. Passing through a small gate at the bottom of the fine swelling lawn that surrounds the house, you enter upon a winding path, with a piece of water on your right. The path and water, overshadowed with trees that grow upon the slopes of this narrow dingle, render the scene at once cool, gloomy, solemn, and sequestered, and form so striking a contrast to the lively scene you have just left, that you seem all on a sudden landed in a subterraneous kind of region. Winding forward down the valley, you pass beside a small root-house, where, on a tablet, are these lines:

"Here in cool grot and mossy cell,
"We rural Fays and Faeries dwell;
"Tho' rarely seen by mortal eye,
"When the pale moon, ascending high,
"Darts thro' yon' limes her quiving beams,
"We frisk it near these crystal streams.

Her beams, reflected from the wave,
"Afford the light our revels crave;
"The turf, with daisies border'd o'er,
"Exceeds, we wot, the Parian floor;
"Nor yet for artful strains we call,
"But listen to the water's fall.

Would you then taste our tranquil scene,

"Be sure your bosoms be serene,
"Devoid of hate, devoid of strife,

Devoid of all that poisons life;

"And much it 'vails you in their place
"To graft the love of human race.

"And tread with awe these favour'd bowers,
Nor wound the shrubs nor bruise the flowers;
"So may your path with sweets abound,

So may your couch with rest be crown'd!
"But harm betide the wayward swain

"Who dares our hallow'd haunts profane !"

These sentiments correspond as well as possible with the ideas we form of the abode of Fairies, and, appearing deep in this romantic valley, serve to keep alive such enthusiastic images while this sort of scene continues.

You now pass through The Priory Gate before mentioned, and are admitted into a part of the valley somewhat different from the former, tall trees, high irregular ground, and rugged scars. The right presents you with, perhaps, the most natural, if not the most striking, of the many cascades here found;