HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 199 



back-ground over Swindon common and Ashwood is richly termi- 

 nated by the distant hills and woods of Enville, 



The interior of the house consists of a spacious hall or dining- 

 room, well furnished with pictures, &c. on the left of which is a 

 billiard-room, and beyond that the library. The opposite wing 

 consists of a large and elegant music-room, decorated with full- 

 length portraits of the late Lord and Lady Dudley, &c. and fur- 

 nished with one of the best private organs in the kingdom. 



Himley has frequently been the scene of rejoicing and festivity 

 upon public occasions. The King's e*scape from assassination, in. 

 1786, and several of our great naval victories, were celebrated here 

 by illumination, fire-works, &c. But the noble owner is not more 

 conspicuous for his loyalty than for benevolence of heart. In 1792, 

 no less than 1000 poor persons in the neighbourhood were regu- 

 larly relieved by him ; and his Lordship's princely donations to the 

 subscriptions in London, and in this county, (1816), for the relief of 

 the poor, besides innumerable acts of private charity, entitle him to 

 the thanks of his countrymen, and the enviable appellation of the 

 Poor Man's Friend. 



The following lines, written by W. T. Fitzgerald, Esq. are fixed 

 against an old yew-tree, in a walk near the house : 



This stately yew, which has for ages stood, 

 The gloomy monarch of its native wood, 

 .Perhaps some Norman Baron planted here, 

 Who liv'd by rapine and who rul'd by fear ; 

 The tree a symbol of its master's mind, 

 Emblem of death, and fatal to mankind ! 

 Beneath its boughs no verdant plants are seen, 

 Its baneful branches poison every green : 

 And thus the feudal tyrant's hated reign, 

 Oppress'd the village and laid waste the plain. 

 To these dire scenes a happier age succeeds, 

 No despot threatens, and no vassal bleeds. 

 At HIMLEY now, the poor man finds relief, 

 Forgets his poverty, and checks his grief, 

 Raises his languid eyes and drooping head 

 To bless the liberal hand that gives him bread ; 

 While in the mansion mirth and song attend, 

 To cheer the stranger, and delight the friend. 

 But still the yew, though hastening to decay, 

 Retains the venom of its pristine day ; 

 Its branches still their gloomy nature show, 

 And frown upon the cheerful scene below. 



Besides this aged yew, there are many other remarkable trees 



