370 THE SANCTUARIES OF TUSCANY. 



Lady Charlotte Bury is well known to the literary world as an 

 acute observer, and an authoress of novels, which display more than 

 common female talent ; but I apprehend that the greatest admirer of 

 her accomplishments was not prepared to expect such a work as this. 

 There is no other example in the history of literature of a poetical 

 genius breaking out so late in life. It is like one of those horizontal 

 bursts of radiance which is seen in the summer evenings, or that post- 

 autumnal vegetation which sometimes decks the decline of the year. 

 I shall not, however, deliver only my opinion of the work, but 

 enable the reader to judge for himself. In the meantime, before 

 calling his attention to the merits of quotations, it may be necessary 

 to give some account of the scenery of the sanctuaries themselves, to 

 assist in properly understanding the trains of reflection to which they 

 have given rise. 



Her ladyship's introductory account of Valombrosa, to which the 

 first of the three poems refers, will probably attract particular at- 

 tention, as it is not unknown in English poetry. Milton speaks of 

 it, in one of the finest passages of the Paradise Lost, and to which 

 her ladyship alludes 



" Thick as the autumnal leaves that strew the brooks 

 In Valombrosa, where the Etrurian shades 

 High overarch'd embower." 



But there is nothing in this allusion which conveys a correct idea 

 of the place, or rather of the shady and shadowy country itself. 

 The common notion here is, that it is a vale of the Arno ; but it is 

 more properly a woody landscape, somewhat resembling that sylvan 

 district of beachy undulations to the south of Leatherhead, in the 

 county of Surrey. 



In the early part of the eleventh century, the monastery of Val- 

 ombrosa was founded by a Florentine, of the name of Giovanni Gaul- 

 berte. The situation is one of those secluded spots which the 

 hermits of that age often so judiciously selected for the indulgence of 

 that solemn serenity of mind, considered most acceptable to heaven. 

 It is extremely picturesque, and abounds with streamlets of clear 

 water, overhung with ancient and beautiful trees, where they flow 

 into pools, or come tumbling obscured from the mountains. 



The monastery formerly contained a rich library and museum, 

 which, however, her ladyship mentions, is now dispersed. The 

 treasures were plundered by the French during the last period of the 

 revolution ; but she adds with much happiness, for it is the land- 

 scape which makes the situation so interesting, " They could not, how- 

 ever, plunder the country of its rocks, and woods, and streams, or 

 the thousand recollections of by-gone ages attached to its locality." 



The poem, which accompanies the historical legend of Valom- 

 brosa, consists of the reflections which so peaceful and so holy a 

 place is calculated to awaken, and reminds one of the meditative 

 passages of " Childe Harold ;" but, instead of the " sullen hue" which 

 pervades that celebrated production, the thoughts are tinged with 

 more of melancholy and tenderness. The following stanza is at once 



