to SOUTHAMPTON. 15 
oppofite fide, is the mouth of the river hamble, which flows 
up part of twelve miles to bishops-waltham. Would you in- 
creafe your pleafurc in travelling, and enlarge your ideas ? con- 
flder the different quarters of the compafs, and how rivers and 
towns lie with refpect to* each other. 
I remember, the remarks*" you made on the wifdom of our 
forefathers, in chuffng the moft delightful fltuations for their 
convents and nunneries. If the precepts of chriffian philofo- 
phy allow of this kind of fecluflon from the world, do you not 
think that thefe pious mortals ought to be indulged in the en- 
joyment of beautiful fltuations ? Their innocence cannot be en- 
dangered by it ; rather it teaches them the more exalted love 
of him, by whofe power the face of the earth is covered with 
fo many objedfs to delight the heart. 
Nettly-abby, by which we now pafied, is moft pleafantly 
fttuated. It is not fifty years fince the roof of this building was 
ftanding ; and there are faid to be many veftiges of grandeur 
and convenience yet remaining. Clofe to the water is the ruins 
of a fortification, which feemed to be the defence of the nun- 
nery. You longed to go afhore to fee this place more minute- 
ly, and I flhould as gladly have waited on you. 
Had it not been for the abhorrence of romish fuperftition-, 
many a (lately edifice which is now in ruins, might have been 
preferved and converted into fchools, or employed in other ufe- 
ful purpofes. But fuch has been the fate of antient buildings, 
which coding much to repair, and new modes and fafhions be- 
ing 
