52 TOR ABBEY. 



the " inviolable saint," or sovereign free-booter, who 

 by a fiction of law, and with the concurrence of his 

 parliament, could do no wrong, deigned to keep those 

 drones from starving by his kingly munificence. 



This is not the place to descant on the ravages of 

 despotic sway ; nor on the horrors of priestcraft and 

 popular superstitions. The goodly Tree of Life, the 

 flourishing growth of pure religion, is rather strength- 

 ened and matured, than wounded or mutilated, by 

 lopping off the cankering excrescence of vile supersti- 

 tion. 



Non tollitur Religio superstitione tollenda. 



Cicero, de Diviiiatione. 



It would not be seasonable to expatiate here on 

 the new embellishments, introduced on the borders 

 of Torbay ; the elegant structures and enchanting 

 prospects of Torquay ; or the sweet recess of 

 Babbicombe Bay, so attractive from its picturesque 

 scenery — not surpassed by any of 



" Devon's myrtle vales, 

 That drink clear rivers near the glassy sea/* * 



The Rev. Joseph Reeve, in his classical poem, 

 entitled Ugbrooke Park, has thus described the 

 present state of the abbey, in the glowing language 

 of poesy, and with the feelings of a Christian philo- 

 sopher. 



" Though hallowed mitres glitter here no more, 

 The friendly abbey still adorns the shore : 

 Here meek religion's ancient temple rose, 

 How great, how fall'n, the mournful ruin shows. 



* The world's a stately bark, on dang'rous seas, 

 With pleasure view'd, but boarded at our peril. 

 Here, on a single plank, tlirown safe ashore, 

 I hear the tumult of the distant throng, 

 As that of seas remote, or dying storms ; 

 And meditate on scenes, more silent still ; — 

 The tranquil haven of the quiet grave. 



