The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-03-01 00:00:00

TO THE EDIFUR OF THE STATESMAN.

Sta—Having been repeatedly pressed by a ,IlStant rela-
tion, who resides in a remote part of the kingdom, to pay
him a visit, I was induced, last autumn. to comply with
Lie wishes. On any arrival, I was not a little struck with
the venerable appearance of his mansion, and with the
truly baronial style, in which he lived. The house had
been tenanted, many ages past, by a society of Monks,
and, on their suppression at the reformation, had been
granted to one of his ancestors by King Henry the
Ylllth. It is still distinguished by the appellation of
The Abbey." My object, however, in thus intruding
upon you, Sir, is not to descant upon either Monasteries
or Convents, Nuns or Father Confessors, but simply to
observe, that, from time immemorial, Kingsand courtiers
seem to have been of the same kidney as those of the
present day. " And pray, good Sir,"' you will exclaim,
" what is the name of mystery can Kings and courtiers
have to do with your visiting an old abbey in a distant
comity ?" Permit me to explain. During the short stay
which I was compelled to make in this abode of hospi-
leity, my worthy host begaa to sink a well upon a
rising eminence, 'formerly the site of a small chapel,
to the Virgin Mary. The workmen were pro-
ceeding rapidly with the it task, when they were bud-
dent, 'obliged to desist, having met aids sonie hard sub-
Mauer, to perforate which their united efforts were for a
time unavailing. After much labour and more conjec-
ture, this unexpected impediment proved to be an iron
chest, of rude workmanship, and, considering the period
of its interment, in good p Aaiun. Here was a
boundless held for sperulation. The spectators accord-
ingly, while it uas being forced open, gave the rein to
their imaginations. The operators were of opinion,
that, from its great weight, it must contain money.
Sonse beheld, in idea, the jewels which had formerly
decorated the image of t'..lc ho!y wisiie others
snpposed that it would bear testimony to souse
horrid crime, some " fou! unnatural murder.- All, how-
ea far, were mistaken, anti all disappointed. It's contents
proved to be :wither more nor less, than several parcels
of written parchment, carefully rolled up. They were
all in the uld black letter character, and, as might rea-
sonably be expected, in some parts defaced. We could,
notwithstanding, ascertain that one of the bundles was
a history of the founder anti his family, related in the
usually prolix style of monkish legend;. A number of
ancient title deeds were among the others. I was for-
tunate enough to pounce upon a small packet, which 1
have since taken considerable pains to decipher, and
which turns out to be what was meant for poetry in those
days. It is far from being unconnected, though the
sentiments of the author are, for the most part, convey-
ed in the rough unpolished language of old times. li:it
what, independent of its antieeity, ri-nsiers it valuable
in my eutiosatiaot, is the striking analogy which it bears
t-s ,tents anti characters of the present day. Its object
is evidently to perpetuate the memory of some ancient
King and his coadjutors, who do not seen, to have revel-
led in an overahendance of popularity. Should the offer
be acceptable to you, Mr. Falitor.l will make an attempt
to modernize this barbarous composition, and endeavour,
he some oereinti additions, to render it agreeable to
the readers of your independent and patriotic journal.—
I inclose you a few hues by way of specimen, and shall
awaits our wishes upon the 51111.11.11, in that part of your
paper, dedicated to Correepondente.
I hags the bowsaw to be, Sir.
Your most obedient humble teresnt.
BRIAN litacrrnuart.,