vented, the illicit trade: nor, is it likely, that the danger of fine and imprisonment, should restrain lawless and unprincipled men, from pursuing a calling, said to be so gainful in its nature; as to produce a satisfactory profit to them, if they are fortunate enough to save one cargo out of three, from the grasp of the officers of the revenue. CHAP. IV. Ir is from the period of my introduction to Christ-church and its school, that I must date the commencement of my taste for antiquarian and topographical pursuits; as well as for that pleasure which such studies have afforded to me, during the larger portion of my life. To the same cause, also, it must be attributed, that the public have been either fatigued or amused, by my several works in this department of literature; and that I have the honour of appending to my name, like Dr. Pangloss, the significant and cabalistical initials A.S.S. It would seem, therefore, to argue the most unpardonable "dull forgetfulness," were I not to cast one "longing ling'ring look" (ere I bid adieu to them for aye) on those objects and circumstances, which, during my residence in the ancient town of Thuinam (as Christ-church was formerly called), opened to my sanguine mind this new field of enquiry and gratification, and produced results, so very important to the world and myself! 66 66 Independently, indeed, of their connection with my "literary recollections," the town and vicinity of Christ-church have in themselves (as may be gathered from what has been already said) much to interest the imagination, and to gratify the curiosity. Early in life they awoke in me a poetical feeling; and while, in the following and such like "lofty rhymes," I wooed the muse to describe the diversified scenery which surrounds this ancient burgh: “ The mixture gay, of river, mead, and mill; “ Of wat’ry glade; and grange; and moss-clad tow'r: “ The varied tints of forest, heath, and hill; "And hamlets, bosom'd deep, in tufted bow'r:" the flame of inspiration blazed higher and brighter, when I contemplated "The towering pinnacle, and arch sublime, 66 Swelling above the domes of modern hands:" where "Clad in the venerable vest of time, "The abbey'd fane in gothic grandeur stands:" nor did the contiguous remains of her lordly castle, and of the mansion of its former governors, appeal with less force to my fancy, or excite less attention in my muse: "There to the right, where winds the silver tide, "The time-scarr'd ruins of the castle frown "Whilom, the residence of feudal pride — "Now with foul weeds and matted grass o'ergrown ; "There-barons bold, through chivalry's bright reign, "Mingled in scenes of antique jovisance: "The gorgeous feast; the pageant's sweeping train; "The motley masque; and mazy-figured dance: "There clarions shrill the tourney oft proclaim'd, "No more its high-embowed roofs' resound 66 Night's moping bird now hoots the walls around, "And loathsome serpents glide its vaults along." But, amongst all the edifices in Christ-church of ancient date, which now interest the passing traveller; and first directed my attention as a school-boy to antiquarian speculations; the object beyond all comparison august and impressive, is its noble parish church; the cathedral, as it may well be called, in former times, of the Augustine Priory: a conventual establishment, said to have been founded in this place, as far back as the conclusion of the seventh century. Not that the church itself can boast such deep antiquity; as it is a matter of record, that the present fabric was erected on the site of an older one, by Ralph Flambard, Bishop of Durham, and Prior of Thuinam, in the reign of Rufus. Of this latter structure, however, much evidently exists at the present day: sufficiently ascertained, by its Anglo-Norman arches in the nave; and its intersecting semicircular ones, and reticulated tracery (a Roman pattern), on the outside of the building: though a large portion, to the eastern end, is obviously of a much later period than the eleventh century.* * In the autumn of the preceding year, after a long interval from my former visit, I again made a short stay at Christ-church; and minutely surveyed all those remains of antiquity, which had been so dear to my imagination in former times. The cicerone of our party was Mr. James Lockyer, the intelligent and respectable licensed clerk of the parish. More than half a century before this period, he had, as arithmetical usher of Christ-church school, initiated me, and my school-fellows, into all the mysteries cf figures; and, what was still more advantageous to his pupils, had held out to them (though quite a young man himself), an example every way modest, decorous, and respectable. He is now reaping the reward of a regular, virtuous, and useful life, in the enjoyment of that "green "old age," which still retains its early blossoms, of unimpaired bodily strength, intellectual vigour, and buoyant spirits. The improvements of the church, within the last few years, have been principally effected through Mr. Lockyer's instrumentality; and, I may add, greatly forwarded by his liberal pecuniary subscription. They consist, principally, in the addition of groined ceilings to the nave, and other members of the fabric; in scraping the pillars, capitals, tracery, images, &c., and restoring to them their original stone surface; and, in newly arranging the pews, &c.: improvements and alterations, which have rendered this superb ecclesiastical structure the finest parish church, I should think, in England. There is a fine alabaster altar monument, within the church, at the north-east end, of the 15th century; with two cumbent figures stretched upon it, said to be the effigies of Sir John Chidiocke, and his Lady. The stone altar-piece is of high antiquity; vast and elaborate. But the most interesting object, is a monument, near the altar, to the memory of that angelic woman the late Viscountess Fitzharris, sculptured on a fine-grained |