50 



SYLVA BRITANNICA. 



Sweet sounds often awaken echoes not less sweet: 

 so have these lines of Waller, rushing over a poetic 

 mind, filled it with images of the Sidneys, the Dud- 

 leys, the Leicesters of former ages ; and brought 

 forth the following interesting picture of the feelings 

 which Penshurst, so long the noble residence of 

 busy and exalted spirits, is calculated to awaken 

 in its present state of comparative desolation and 

 abandonment. 



" Ye Towers sublime, deserted now and drear, 



Ye woods, deep sighing to the hollow blast. 

 The musing wanderer loves to linger near. 



While History points to all your glories past ; 

 And, startling from their haunts the timid deer. 



To trace the walks obscured by matted fern, 

 Which Waller's soothing lyre were wont to hear. 



But where now clamours the discordant heron ! 

 The spoiling hand of Time may overturn 



These lofty battlements, and quite deface 

 The fading canvass, whence we love to learn 



Sidney's keen look, and Sacharissa's grace: 

 But fame and beauty still defy decay. 

 Saved by the historic page — the poet's tender lay ! " 



Charlotte Smith, 



OAKS IN YARDLEY CHASE. 



These fine trees, known by the characteristic ap- 

 pellation of Gog and Magog, stand in Yardley Forest, 

 and are the property of the Marquess of Northampton. 



