ported by Tuscan pillars, and above are comfortable lodgings for the company. Here your humble servant fixed his abode, at the extremity nearest the Well, and not altogether out of the hearing of the band of musicians. With window thrown open, the melodious sounds rush on the ear with an enchanting harmony. The leads covering the walk below is interspersed with plants imbedded in pots of various dimensions, exhibiting the luxuriance of the vegetable world. The birds at the same time hopping from tree to tree, chirping their native songs, create a fascinating scenery. It is a grove, or rather an aviary! On the paunel of the room where I am sitting, there are two lines written with a pencil, probably by an immediate predecessor, indicative of our rural situation"Remember-poor Robin Drop crumbs Evening and morning!" So retired is our spot, that we can ima gine ourselves a hundred miles distant from the metropolis, buried in the recesses of the country. At the back of the Parade is a CoxMON of some extent, reaching up to Mount Ephraim and Bishop's Grove. Over its surface are seen sheep nibbling the grass in placid luxury. This has a rustic appearance. It is indeed here and there dotted with animals of various descriptions. Walking beneath the Piazza adjoining the Parade, glimpses of its verdure are caught by two or three occasional inlets, which, by furnishing an egress and ingress, open a vista terminated by the hori. ZOO. At the foot of the hill is the road from Tunbridge Wells to Brighton -this portion of it being strewed with poney and donkey chaises of every dimension. These with their respective charioteers, at a moment's notice, convey the visitor to any part of the adjacent country. On the opposite side of THE PARADE are the shops of tradesmen, with the Market place, and the Sussex Tavern, now re erecting with improvements, Adjoining is a smail Theatre, the manager Mr. Dowton, who is said to have a respectable company. The extent of the campaign is from July to October, performing three times a week-after which period, a regular circuit is taken to Maidstone, Rochester, and Canter. bury. But it is necessary that the medicinal qualities of THE WELLS should be no ticed. These have been detailed by the faculty with every requisite minuteness. The water bas been analysed, and its specific properties ascertained. At the Spring it is clear and bright, colourless and of a steely taste, invariably temperate, for lying deep in the bowels of the earth, neither the heats of summer nor the frosts of winter effect any alteration. A person taking a glass of this mineral water is said to feel a pleasant sensation about the stomach, with a degree of warmth over the whole body-exhilirating the spirits, creating an appetite, and promoting perspiration! The water is contained in two small circular basins, close to a building including the hot and cold bath -a structure of modern erection, and ornamental to TUNBRIDGE WELLS. lu drinking of this chalybeate, temperance must be observed, according to the precepts of Armstrong, in his classical Poem on Health : "When DINNER comes, amid the varied feast That crowns the genial board, where every guest, Or grave or gay, is happy and at home, And none e'er sighed for the mind's elbow room, I warn you still to make your chief repast On one plain dish, and trifle with the rest." Among other medical practitioners at the Wells, is G. D. Yeats, M.D. F.R.S. whose superior skill and urbane man. · ners need not my humble commendation. Health and a good estate of body (says Solomon) are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth. There is no riches above a sound body, and there is no joy above the joy of the heart. The amusements of THE WELLS are under the direction of a Master of the Ceremonies-the present is T. Roberts, Esq. The celebrated BEAU NASH once held this situation. His portrait still adorns the Assembly Rooms. There he is seen—with his embroidered coat, gold-laced waistcoat, and in his hand a scroll, on which is delineated-the Bath Hospital-having been active in the establishment of that charity. He was a singular character. A native of Swansea, in the principality of Waleshe had passed through a variety of scenes in the drama of human life. He at length became the dictator of the fashionable world. Here in the summer, and at Bath in the winter, he attended with punctuality. He lived to a very advanced age, dying at Bath in 1761, aged 88, and was buried with pomp in the Abbey. To this day, the Pump Room at Bath is embellished with a niche containing his statue at full length in marble, with his favourite costume on all public occasions. He has his white hat under his arm, and his waistcoat unbuttoned almost to the bottom. With all his foibles, he was charitable. Having procured five pounds from a gentleman for an object in distress, and a request being made how it was disposed of, he presented the donor with a regular bill To making a poor man happy, 5l." -signed by the subject of his bounty. In his chariot drawn by six handsome greys, preceded by two outriders with French horns, did Beau Nash, in the days of his prosperity, enter TUNBRIDGE WELLS, with a ludicrous pomposity! TUNBRIDGE WELLS has, according to a late census, about 5000 inhabitants, and covers a considerable extent of ground. The houses are for the most part distinct, with plats of grass in the front of them. On the corner of them is inscribed their designation; such as Wellington Place, Coburg House, Grosvenor Lodge, Kock Villa, Summer Hill-many of these abodes thus recognising their residents on former occasions. Erskine Cottage, at the foot of Rusthall Common, was the retreat of LORD ERSKINE when he quitted the navy, and devoted himself to the study of the law. Here he buried himself all day, and in the evening sallied forth to the Wells, mingling with the company by way of recreation. Having thus prepared himself for his professional labours, he may be said to have emerged from this rural spot into that distinction, both at the bar and in the senate, which has wafted his name to the ends of the earth! The air of TUNBRIDGE WELLS has been extolled for its salubrity. This may arise from the circumstance of its being encircled by hills scented with odoriferous herbage. These are denominated Mount Pleasant, Mount Sion, and Mount Ephraim-each of which is entitled to attention. MOUNT PLEASANT has few houses scattered over it, but they are of the first description. That of J. Lushington, Esq. is a poble mansion, seen to advantage from almost every part of the adjacent country. The interior is antique-but the exterior stucco (as the present owner pleasantly observes) covers a multitude of sins, like charity! On this spot resided during ten weeks, for twenty successive seasons, Thomas the fourth Duke of Leeds, till he died in 1789. He exemplified Burke's definition of nobility, the Corinthian capital of polished society !" Divesting himself of the airs of aristocracy, his star still decorated even his great coat, and his full equipage ac companied him to the Wells. He had usually his small party at dinner, and at the appointed minute the coach and six was at the door for the evening excursion. He drove towards a spot on the London road, which his Grace, from an open space admitting of the turning of his cumbrous equipage, denominated-Turnham Green!—Once a year, on the Prince of Wales's birthday, he gave a public tea-drinking and ball to the company. Along the Parade, in fine weather, was conducted this scene of innocent festivity. Mount Pleasant has been the residence of the Royal Family. MOUNT SION is a more crowded spot, having diffused over it houses of all dimensions. On its summit is a Grove, which, though small, might, from the embrowned solemnity of its shade, have been selected by our British ancestors for the celebration of the rites of Druidical superstition. In one of the mansions once resided EARL MANSFIELD, that luminary of the law. He was of a cheerful equable temper, and died in a good old age. Cumberland tells you, that dining with him and Dr. Moss, Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Prelate informed them, that he was repairing AN ALMS HOUSE at Wells for the reception of five and twenty women, the widows of clergymen; and turning to Cumberland, asked him if he could suggest an appropriate inscription. Why do you apply to Cumberland for an inscription?" said Lord Mansfield-"I'll furnish you with what you want directly-here are five and twenty women all kept by the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells—that's plain English-Cumberland would have puzzled his brains into the bargain!" In one of these Grove Houses, also, LORD NORTH, late Earl of Guilford, took up his abode during his frequent visits to the Wells. He was minister during the American war-a contest irreconcileable either with justice or with humanity. This nobleman lost his 66 sight during his latter days. But he retained his cheerfulness and good humour to the end of life. It is remark able, that his spirited opponent Colonel Barre was similarly afflicted. Under his misfortune he lost much of his former asperity; and had these political com batants met under the impression of their common calamity, they would have forgotten their animosities. Indeed, LORD NORTH facetiously remarked, that “although no political antagonist had been more bitter against him than had Colonel Barrè, yet there were no two people in the world who would then be more happy-to SEE each other!" It is a curious circumstance, that when the unfortunate Princess De Lamballe (torn into pieces by the Paris mob at the French Revolution) visited Tunbridge Wells, she selected the blind ex-minister as an ob ject of her attention-by exquisitely adapted compliments soothing his feelings and grauifying his vanity. It must have been a piliable sight to have beheld this once powerful statesman (who during seven long years poured war and desolation over the wide continent of America) led about with a childlike imbecility! Cumberland says, "One day, at Mount Sion, LORD NORTH took my arm, and asked me to conduct him to the Parade on the Pantiles-I have a general recollection of the way,' he said; and if you will make me understand the posts upon the foot-path and the steps about the chapel, I shall remember them in future!' I could not lead blind Gloucester to the cliff-I executed my affecting trust, and brought him safely to his family." Ascending Mount Sion, and having gained its summit, I looked around me, and thought of that passage in the Psalms-xlviii. 2. Beautiful for situa tion, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King" The imagination runs back to the land of Palestinethat consecrated spot-whence issued those tidings of salvation which will ultimately felicitate the creation of God. Lastly, MOUNT EPHRAIM, on the other side of the Wells, opposite to Mount Pleasant aud Mount Sion, is in a beautiful situation. The green sward yields to the eye a refreshing vivacity. Man sions and cottages meet you in every direction. They have mostly gardens, whence is a prospect of the Kent and Surrey hills in an endless succession. Mount Ephraim, commencing at the London road, reaches to Bishop's Down of undulating variety. It is traversed by vehicles of all descriptions-from the stately coach down to the poney and donkey chaises of every possible construction. This is the favourite morning ride onward to Rusthall Common, Speldhurst, &c. Mount Ephraim was hallowed by the presence of Queen Anne, of high-church celebrity. She was partial to THE WELLS, bringing hither her very promising son, the young Duke of Gloucester, who, like our PRINCESS CHARLOTTE, died prematurely, to the heartfelt grief of the nation. On the side and about the centre of the hill, whence is a view of Frant Church, Eridge Castle, and other picturesque objects, rises a clump of lofty trees, called the Queen's Grove, planted out of gratitude to the royal memory. On account of the pureness of the air, Mount Ephraim has been denominated the Montpelier of England. Before I dismiss these eminences with their scriptural appellations, an anecdote attaches to MOUNT SION which must not be omitted:-A man of the name of Okill, of singular character, and clerk to Tunbridge Wells Chapel, kept a small lodging house on Mount Sion: it is a fact, that when his cottage was to let, the clerk always gave out the following Psalm on "MOUNTSION is a pleasant place;" and on the letting of the house, the Psalm was dropped till it was revived a similar occasion, Indeed, the Wells, about fifty years ago, had about it individuals of great oddity. There was a low sensible character of a queershaped form, natural son of Sir Robert Walpole-he used to say smart things to the company, and was reckoned more like his father than any of his other children. Attempts were made by his family to rescue him from this way of life, but without effect. When Sir Edward Walpole visited the Wells, this fellow would tell the visitors, that "he wondered his Brother did not take more notice of him!" Another little deformed mortal was the Wells' Cryer, called Lord Rawlins he gained the title by being taken to London by the famous Duke of Wharton-who having him ridicu lously but richly dressed, introduced him into some of the first circles in London. He was remarkable for singing the touting song, and reciting speeches taught him by the Duke on various occasions. His pride, caused by his mock title, drove him mad, and he died in a workhouse! calls him papa) and Mr. Cibber at seventy seven are hunting after new faces, and thinking themselves happy The third, and last, character I shall if they can obtain the notice and famimention, is one Dunmall, a handsome liarity of a fine woman! How ridicubut profligate man, with a head of hair lous! MR. CIBBER was over head and white as snow! He was called the ears in love with Miss Chudleigh. Prophet, averring that he had been in Her admirers (such was his happiness) the world ever since the Creation, and were not jealous of him, but, pleased that he should never die! He also with that wit in him which they had asserted, that from the Angel Gabriel not, were always for calling him to her. he received constant orders. Lord She said pretty things, for she was Aliss Chesterfield asking him, if, from the Chudleigh-He said pretty things, for long time he had been in the world, he was MR. CIBBER-and all the comhe knew any thing of Jonah being pany, men and women, seemed to think in the whale's belly," he instantly re- they had an interest in what was said, plied, "Yes, my Lord, very well, for and were half as well pleased as if they I was with him, and a dark place it was had said the sprightly things them-and between ourselves, the Prophet selves, and mightily well contented was a great coward !"— Meeting one were they to be second-hand repeaters day a pedlar on the road, Dunmall of the pretty things. But once I faced asked him his name-which the man the Laureat squatted upon one of the telling him, "Are you sure," said he, benches with a face more wrinkled than "that is your real name!" Answering ordinary with disappointment. I in the affirmative-" Why then," says thought,' said I, you were of the he, "I have an order from the Angel party of the Tea treats-Miss ChudGabriel to give you ten guineas." leigh is gone into the tea room.'"Have you?" said the Pedlar; Pshaw,' said he, there is no coming "the same angel has blessed me with at her she is so surrounded by the an order to receive it." Dunmall im toupets!' and I left him upon the fret mediately paid him. How many in--but he was called to tea soon after, dividuals would be made happy by similar paroxysms of a benevolent insanity. Unlike Margate, Ramsgate, and even Brighton, the company frequenting THE WELLS are of a select description. Human nature, however, may be here seen in epitome-affording fair examples of the checquered mass of mortality! In the correspondence of Richardson, the novelist, published by Mrs. Barbauld, is a letter descriptive of this wateringplace upwards of half a century ago. It is amusing, and shall be transcribed. THE WELLS at that time exhibited a motley variety. It was Vanity Fair in perfection. Miss Chudleigh, afterwards the far-famed Duchess of Kingston, who was tried for bigamy, and Colley Cibber, the old vain poet-laureat, were here at that time leading characters, and edging along the walks, says Richardson, to avoid the jostling of the company." Among scores of belles, flatterers, triflers, who swim along these Walls, self satisfied and pleased and looking defiance to mena pretty woman is rare as a black swan ! and when one such starts up, she is nick named a Beauty, and old fellows and young fellows are set a spinning after her. Mr. Walsh at eighty (Mr. Cibber and in he flew, and his face shone again and looked smooth !" From the folly of some individuals of both sexes with respect to the noble passion of Love, the sarcasms of the poet may have too much truth"When wise men love, they love to folly; When blockheads love, they're melancholy; When coxcombs love, they love for fashion, And quaintly call it-the Belle Passion!` Old bachelors who wear the willow May dream of Love, and hug the pillow; Whilst Love in poet's fancy rhyming Sets all the bells of folly chiming!" CUMBERLAND, Richardson proceeds to mention another singular character, usually termed honest Will Whiston, a man of singular acquirements, and of as great an eccentricity. Succeeding Sir Isaac Newton in the Mathematical Chair at Cambridge, he was intimate with Samuel Clark and the first theologians as well as scholars of the day. Another extraordinary OLD MAN we have had here, but of a very different turn, the noted Mr. Whiston, shewing eclipses and explaining other phenomena of the stars, and preaching the Millennium and Anabaptism (for he is now it seems of that persuasion) to gay people, who if they have white teeth hear him with open mouths, though perhaps with shut hearts, and after his lectures are over, not a bit the wiser, run from him the more eagerly to Cibber and -, and to Butter among the loud-laughing young fellows upon the Walks, like boys and girls at a breaking up!" The letter concludes in a strain characteristic of the author of Pamela, Clarissa, and Sir Charles Grandison :— "You see, my dear, what a trifling letter I have written. You set me upon it. My head is very indifferent -my nerves no better than when I came down, and I should not write so much they say as I do-otherwise, if you can bear such stuff, I could run on a volume-relating other's follies and forgetting my own!" I must close this Sketch of TUNBRIDGE WELLS in the words of Richard Cumberland, the renowned dramatist, who here passed the placid evening of his life : "This place, of which I had made choice, and in which I have continued to reside for more than twenty years, had much to recommend it, and very little that in any degree made against it. It is not altogether a public place, yet it is at no period of the year a solitude. A reading man may command his hours of study, and a SOCIAL man will find full gratification for his philanthropy. Its vicinity to the capital brings quick intelligence of all that passes there-the morning papers reach us before the hours of dinner, and the evening ones before breakfast the next day; whilst between the arrival of the General Post and its departure there is an interval of twelve hours-an accommodation in point of correspondence that even London cannot boast of. The produce of the neighbouring farms and gardens and the supplies of all sorts for the table are excellent in their quality-THE COUNTRY is on all sides beautiful, and the climate pre-eminently healthy, and in a most peculiar degree restorative to enfeebled constitutions." RICHARD CUMBERLAND was a literary character of eminence, grandson of the celebrated Bentley, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. He died at an advanced age, and was entombed in Westminster-abbey. Among other persons of distinction there during my continuance at the Wells, were the Duke and Duchess of Montrose, Earl of Donoughmore, Lord Hutchinson, Lord Stair, Lord John Russel, Sir Ralph Noel and his Lady with their daughter, Lady Byron, Lady Dowager Stanhope, General Sir William Hamilton, Martin Folkes, M.P. and Alexander Stephens, Esq. of the Inner Temple, author of the Life of Horne Tooke, replete with anecdote, and of a valuable History of the Wars arising out of the French Revolution. The company indeed is highly respectable. Generally speaking, they are cha racterised by that affability and real politeness which attach to the well-edu. cated classes of the community. Such is the Hamlet of TUNBRIDGE WELLS, with its salubrious springs and its innocent enjoyments. May it multiply its blessings to latest posterity! I am, dear Sir, Your's, respectfully, Islington, Aug. 7th, 1820. J. EVANS. P.S. My next Letter shall be occupied by a delineation of the adjacent country. SENTIMENTAL APHORISMS FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS. WHEN we recollect how short a period we are destined to travel in this busy world of sorrow, and how few pleasures we are permitted to enjoy, reason should point out the folly of being at enmity with our fellowcreatures. We should pity the ignorant, pardon the offending, emulate the good, revere the enlightened, and consider the friend of human kind as the noblest work of the Creator.-Robinson. Every man is rich or poor, according to the proportion between his desires and enjoyments: any enlargement of wishes is therefore equally destructive to happiness with the diminution of possession; and he that teaches another to long for what he never can obtain, is no less an enemy to his quiet than if he robbed him of part of his patrimony.— Dr. Johnson. Friendship, that best support of wretched man, which gives us, when our life is painful to us, a sweet exist ence in another being—among all the advantages that attend it, there is not one more valuable than the liberty it admits in laying open the various affec tions of one's mind, without reserve or disguise: there is something in disclosing to a friend the various emotions of one's |