14 ; INTRODUCTION. 



Proceed to Hayes, where Chatham* dwelt; 

 Some recollections may be felt, — 

 How, in the senate, many shook 

 Beneath his all-commanding look: 

 How here, the social hearth beside, 

 He sank the statesman and his pride ; 

 And, pillow'd on affection's breast, 

 He solace sought, and found the best: 

 For what is Splendour, what is Fame, 

 To Home and Happiness? — a name! 



While here, let no pretence delay, «* 



But listen to the woodland fay ; 

 Or with the mountain-nymph ascend, 

 Who will with glee your steps attend. 



* William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, the first of that name, 

 and the incidents in whose life are inseparably woven with the 

 history of this country. Hayes was his favourite residence, 

 where he died; and where also his son William, mentioned 

 in a subsequent note, was born. This village affords a quiet 

 and umbrageous retreat. Among many fine trees here, some 

 Lombardy -poplars (Populus dilata), near the mansion, where 

 once presided the pennies of that respected nobleman, are pe- 

 culiarly interesting by their great height and beauty, they 

 being well clothed with ivy. Fashion has latterly fixed a stigma 

 upon this tree (the Lombardy poplar,) which it does not 

 deserve. It is now become, it is true, extremely common, but 

 it is nevertheless, very ornamental, and as little injurious by 

 its foliage as its shade; indeed, much less so than most other 

 trees. This residence of Lord Chatham is now occupied by 

 Mrs. Dehaney. 





