THE MAX OF ROSS. 93 



the churchyard is a place called " the Prospect," which 

 gives a full view of the serpentine course of the river 

 Wye, and the exquisite scenery of the surrounding 

 country. We also went to see the favourite walk of the 

 good man of Eoss, which is at some distance from the 

 church, to which you are conducted by a gravel walk 

 across the fields. It is situated on a rocky eminence 

 near the Wye, and is shaded by the foliage of the beech 

 and a variety of forest trees. 



There is a curious story related that, after the death 

 of Mr. Kyle, some persons were so thoroughly unfeeling 

 as to cut down some of the elms which he had planted 

 in the churchyard, and that immediately afterwards 

 three young elm shoots made their appearance in the 

 pew he occupied in the church, which from reverence to 

 his memory have been allowed to remain, and now form 

 a canopy over the seat of this excellent man. Amongst 

 the charitable acts of this good man, is an almshouse 

 built at his expense for a few deserving poor people. He 

 also had an aqueduct constructed to convey water from 

 the river Wye to the town, and Pope tells us, in the 

 following verses, that all these noble and charitable acts 

 were performed with an income of 500/. per annum. 



" Who hung with -woods yon mountain's siiltry bro-w? 

 From the dry rock who bade the waters flow ? 

 Not to the skies in useless columns tost, 

 Or in proud falls magnificently lost, 

 But clear and artless, pouring through the plain 

 Health to the sick, and solace to the swain. 

 Whose causeway parts the vale with shady rows ? 

 Whose seats the weary traveller repose ? 

 Who taught that heaven-directed spire to rise ? 

 ' The Man of Eoss ! ' each lisping babe replies. 

 Eehold the market-place with poor o'erspread ! 

 The Man of Ross divides the weekly bread : 



