OSWALDKIRK.' 225 



many interesting and beautiful country seats, de- 

 serted by their opulent owners, for the heartless 

 mirth, and crowded streets of the metropolis. 



But the contagion spreads, and seat after seat 

 becomes deserted, where the ruined wall, and the 

 grass-grown w alk, bespeak our gentry fled. They 

 who once formed the pride and ornament of the 

 country, encouraging, by their presence and their 

 influence, habits of industry promoting plans of 

 general improvement, and dispensing with a liber- 

 al hand their blessings on all around, are fled. 

 The stately castle, and substantial hall, surrounded 

 with extensive parks, or tasteful pleasure grounds, 

 the scenes of innocence and health now stand 

 neglected and mouldering to decay ; whilst their 

 proprietors flying to the spruce edifice of glaring 

 brick, crowded and elbowed by its unknown neigh- 

 bour, indulge in all the luxury of smoke and dust 

 and darkness. 



So potent is the spell, 

 That none decoyed into that fatal ring, 

 Unless by heaven's peculiar grace escape, 

 There we grow early grey, but never wise, 

 There form connexions, but acquire no friend* 

 Waste youth in occupations only fit 

 For second childhood, and devote old age, 

 To sports which only childhood could excuse* 

 There they are happiest, who dissemble best 

 Their weariness ; and they most polite 

 Who squander time and treasure with a smile, 

 Though at their own destruction. She, that asks 

 Her dear *IVE HUNDRED FRIENDS contemns them all 

 Ff 



