140 REVOLUTION 



a much higher distinction, by becoming the practical 

 dispensers of a pure and more useful philanthropy ; thus 

 exhibiting Christianity in its brightest phase, and putting 

 to shame the vapid denunciations of the idol of the 

 vulo;ar. 



If I might be allowed to dwell upon the interesting 

 objects this part of our island contains, I could tell of a 

 drive to Abbey Milton, then the splendid seat of the 

 Damer or Dorchester family, since, I believe, passed to 

 some wealthy merchant — of Bryanston, the equally 

 magnificent mansion and domain of Mr., now Lord Port- 

 man — of Charborough, then the seat of ]\Ir. Di'ax 

 Grosvenor, remarkable chiefly, in an historical view, for 

 its being the spot where the plan of that glorious revolu- 

 tion which drove James from the throne of these realms 

 was concocted : this is duly recorded over the door of a 

 small building in the grounds ^ — of Woodbury Hill, from 

 whence the vicAv over the surrounding country is most 

 extensive- — and of the small town of Swanage, with its 

 long, narrow, single street, terminating in a j^arapet or 

 batter V, mountino- about nine ^'uns, commandin"; the 

 entrance to the Needles ; as Avell as a fine view of the 

 beautiful island, now the resort of so many fashionable 



' The following is the inscription : — " Under this roof, in the year 

 1686, a set of patriotic gentlemen of this place concocted the plan of 

 the glorious revolution, with the immortal King William, to whom 

 we owe our deliverance from popery and slavery — the expulsion of 

 the tyrant race of the Stuarts — the restitution of our liberties — 

 security of our property, and the establishment of our national 

 honour and wealth. Englishmen, remember this era, and consider 

 that your liberty, obtained by the virtue of your ancestors, must be 

 maintained by yourselves ! " 



