DOVE DALE REVISITED I? 



On the side of the hill, just above where 

 the two rivers issue from it, is a little grotto, 

 in which Congreve is said to have written his 

 comedy of " The Old Bachelor " and a part of 

 his " Mourning Bride." 



Ham Church stands in the grounds close to 

 the Hall. It is ivy-covered, and very pictur- 

 esque. On the north side is a mausoleum, 

 which contains Chantrey's monumental group 

 to the memory of Pike Watts, Esq. Mr. Thorne 

 says of it : 



" It is one of the finest works of Chantrey, 

 and probably no other of that great artist's pro- 

 duction is so fortunately placed. The venerable 

 man is represented raising himself from his 

 deathbed and stretching forth his arm in the 

 act of imploring a blessing on his only daughter 

 and her children, who surround his couch. 

 The effect of this touching scene is undisturbed 

 by any surrounding objects : it is alone in the 

 chapel, whose sides and floor are of a sober 

 tone, whilst the light is subdued by the stained 

 glass through which it passes." 



There is, or was, in the church a monument 

 bearing an epitaph by Charles Cotton. It is thus 

 given in his "Poems," 1689 : 



"An EPITAPH on ROBERT PORT, Esq., de- 

 c 



