421 

 THE VALLEY OF NIGHTINGALES. 



A SCENE 



Near the HotwellSf Bristol. 



'^Then, said I, master, pleasant is this place, 



And sweet are those melodious notes I hear} 



And happy they, among man*s toiling race, 



Who, of their cares forgetful, wander near." 



Bowies. 



[To those who might not happen to know St. Vincent's 

 Rocks, Clifton, and the very beautiful scenery near the 

 HoTWELLS, Bristol, it might be desirable to state that the 

 river Avon winds here through a sinuous defile, on one side of 

 which the Rocks rise perpendicularly in a bold yet irregular 

 manner to the height of many hundred feet ; the opposite side 

 is not so bold, but it is, nevertheless, extremely beautiful, being 

 clothed, in many places, with wood, and has, besides, a Valley 

 through which you may ascend to Leigh Down. This valley has 

 been named the Valley of Nightingales, no doubt, in consequence 

 of those birds making it their resort 



" Where foliag'd full in vernal pride, 

 Retiring winds thy favourite vale ; 

 And faint the moan of Avon's tide 

 Remurmurs to the nightingale." 



C. A. Elton, Poems, Disappointment, 

 In a note Mr. Elton informs us that this stanza alludes to 

 the "Valley of Nightingales opposite St. Vincent's Rocks at 

 Clifton." The lovers of the picturesque will here find ample 

 gratification. If, in the following poem, the truth in Natural 

 History be a little exceeded in reference to a troop of nightin- 

 gales, it is hoped that the poetical licence will be pardoned. 

 The vicinity of the Hot wells has been lately much improved by 

 a carriage drive beneath and around these rocks.] 



