The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-11


sort of hanger-on about the castle,--a fellow
whose business nobody knows, but who always
contrives TO have something TO do-hesrng
them ask for guide, he offered his services
He said. he could show them nearer path. a
bride gait as he called il, much shorter than
the Roundabout, road TO Guisborough Perad-
venture, he had none other design than the old
fancy which country folks have for byways and
crossings.
They now began TO descend their path so
slippery and uneven, they we're obliged to dis
mount. In the valley below them to the right
was the abbey, or rather priory of Guisboreugh
now dark and cheerless-the stream of its
hospitality dried up by the ruthless hand Of a
reforming monarch.
'Whai noise is thatr , enquired De Wilton
whose ear was keeny set for the least indics-
ton Of sound.
It's no but t burn belike,' said the guide.
after listening a moment.
Nay replied the other, it's not the rvuler
hhesr-it's like the low hum of voices from
the abbey yonder.'
Nay-nay, master, that's a gone by. It's
the village that's astir. Beshrew me, but
could once ha' ken'd the great droneppe Of
Father Anthony among thousand when
gsngd by at vesper. Manys the time I've
heard 'em at their nght-vigils, when up an
down wi messages at all hours. Wae's me,
could ha' gotten my I'LL any time FOR asking;
bur the poor may starye now, | guess
As they drew nigh, two or three stray lights
glimncred from the abbey easements, 1t was
now deserted by the monks; and a, present oc-
cupicd by the Kings commissioners, or rather
sequeslrators. An immense establishment, its
revenues were probably ;..e great crime which
caused its suppression. These dens Of igno-
rance and superstition, their whole corrupt sys-
lem now laid PROSTATE by still more corrupt,
baser combination of depraviy and lust.
Guisborough abby was indeed structure of
grea, exrent and magnfccnce. Old records
tell that most, if not the whole population Of
the town, weIc at times accommodated within
It's precincts.
Grumbling at the loss OF his sayoury junkets
Miles brought them through the town, where a
good and level path presented itself leading
towards their destination. The stars shown
out with fierce aud almost supernatural lus-
tire, al least SO thought De Wilton, as he look
cd upward, and the strange, the mysterious na-
turo Of their embassy forced itself on his
thoughts. Though comparatively a stranger
in these parts as well as his companion, he had
heard sufficient Of the marvellous dongs of the
Witch TO give his Imagination a free scope,
aud Ills feelings mig Int soon have been wrought
10 that pitch, when credulity and not faith is
the motive and ground for action. Fear and
mystery always exaggerate. The modo Of
commune alton chosen by this reputed agent
of the internal powers, was well calculated TO
awe and TO conieund those who might other
wise have been too wary or too scru'inzing TO
be wrought to the requisite excitement She
WAS invisible, aud the answers were conveyed to
the ear Of the quercnt through a creyico in the
rock. So Miles informed them. aud he seem
ed 10 take great pains TO impress his hearers
with an exalted notion Of her powers.
Soon they the sharp conical mountain
itself. shooting up into the dark blue sky
crowded with bright hosts above them.
mighty altar dedicated by our Pagan ancestors
TO their bloody and abhorred deites, aud ,radit
ion still points TO this rock as a cons picuous and
well-known object OF their worship, dedicated
10 the god of war Its remarkable form and
position could not fail to attract notice, even AT
a very remote period, and there is every reason
10 believe that Druidical rites and assemblaccs
were not unfrcquent in this neighborhood.
How goes the hour , enquired Hubert.
By the ligh, rising above the hill yonder,
which wo country folks ca the nsoon's petticoat.
judge, as she's gone four OF five days fro tho
full, it may be nigh upon eleven. By'r lady,
but there's power O. evil stars fa'in frae tn
frmanent. | wonder where they can a IA TO-
ueer catch one yet, Walter at mill used to
say they cut up tn ovid moons into stars, an
when therein done wiz
Peace, prithee. Is no, there light on the
summit yonder , enquired De Wilton, sharply
refining in his s,eed.
BY the mass If i, be, its one AT niyer rouch'd
top on't
tell thee It's bright spark on the bare
point, by the black neb youder.'
Humph,' said Huben put thy stecd for.
ward as have done, it will disappear
1t was red star that seemed just percbing
on the summit aud an ordinary occurrence,
that at any other season would have been scarce
worthy Of remark, became to the heated euhu-
siast an omen Of strange import, His fancy
was so warmed and yvifed by the events of the
last few hours that brood Of chimcras was rea-
dy 10 burst into life on the least additional ex.
citement.
The moon came forth uncloudcd, and the
shadows now began to assume a sharpness OF
form, a distinctncss at times almost startling as
they passsd by Some peuly raised drift In