" lands of the parilh of Artendol, with all their appendages, except the tithes of 
“ corn, and two davoch of land, which are adjoining to my caftle of Bucharm, v)Z ' 
<c Butharm and Athelnathorch ; which tidies, by the authority of Bricius, Bilh°P 
cc Moray, were affigned for the maintenance of the clergy who officiate in the chapel 0 
“ my caftle of Bucharm ,” &c. — Chart. Morav. 
This Nobleman, either out of policy, to conciliate the Bifhop of Moray to favour 
fome of his ambitious views, or out of the genuine piety and fpirit of the times, n 13 ^ 
large conceffions to the church; and by his affignments encreafed the diocefe. He 3 ' 
fixed, by a written deed yet extant, the church-lands of the pariffi of Artendol (wln c 
had been otherwife appropriated), to the See of Moray, with the following c\&d e > 
which more particularly belongs to the fubjeCt: tc Excepting the lands of At^ nd ' 
“ thorch, and other plots of ground in Galivat , which were dedicated of old, by B* 1 ' 
“ cius, Tor the maintenance of the clergy which officiate in the Domeftic Chapee* 
“ which ftands nigh to my caftle of Bucharm.” — Some monumental ftones, ly lfl ° 
among the ruins, would feem to imply, that the chapel had a burying-ground adjoint 
to it. 
Although only the traces of ancient magnificence remain, among thefe long-del" ert ' 
ed ruins, one feels refpeCt for the fpot where eminent characters have lived ; lh al ’ eS 
the folemn influence of the confecrated ground, where evangelical folemnities hafl oVV " 
ed the altar; and, unreproached, may drop an unavailing tear over the remains of ear ^ 
piety finking into oblivion. Here, on the one hand, are the fpacious Halls, wh« re 
the Chiefs of the land prolonged « the Feaft of Joy,” or held the confultations th 3 *j 
adminiftered equity and eftabliffied peace. There, the Sanctuary, where they bo^ e 
with devotion, and looked forward to the opening of fuperior fcenes. The one, 111 
forlorn greatnefs, with aged trees in hoary wildnefs fprung from the mouldering w' 3 ^’ 
is become the habitation where the inauipicious Raven rears her young ; the other . 
refolved into a dreary cell, where the plaintive Owl maintains her fequeftered folert 1111 ' 
ty and undifturbed abode. 
Some confcious pride delights us, in recalling ages that are paft, and reftoring 
into a comparative view with the prefent Icene. Some mournful pleafure prompt * 
involuntary figh, over memorials of grandeur that is pafled away, and fcenes of exift erl ^ 
that can no more return. The fleeting nature of the earth’s tranfitory bleffing 3 P er , 
vades reflection with a ferious awe : we are unavoidably included in the tale of vV ° e . 
prematurely involved in an evening ffiade, fallen from the impending arches of £ * ie 
decaying towers, that foon themfelves will be completely buried in the duft. 
Thefe deep fhadows, the dampnefs of thefe vaults, chill the fire of the mind. @2^ 
then the ruin’s lonely gloom, and the tombs of the ancients, to enjoy again the p^ 
light of day. Beyond them more enlivening influences prevail, and better profp e ^ 
rife. A charming landfcape is fpread in view. The fun ffiines bright in the g ar e f 
The trees are loaded with fruits. The river in the valleys fparkles to the be 3111 ^ 
noon. Green fields, and woods, and flocks, and riling corn — the fong of birds, ^ 
beauty of the day — infpire with calm content and prefent joy. The pleafure of c ° 
templating with gratitude the furrounding world is reftored. We rejoice in the hi? 
that heavenly medium, which animates and harmonizes the whole. 
9 
