NOTE S ON THE SECOND PART. NoTE น. P. 28. These still exist, &c. THERE is a future Existence even in this world; : an Existence in the hearts and minds of those who shall live after us. It is in reserve for every man, however obscure; and his portion, if he be diligent, must be equal to his desires. For in whose remembrance can we wish to hold a place, but such as know, and are known to us? These are within the sphere of our influence, and among these and their descendants we may live evermore. It is a state of rewards and punishments; and like that revealed to us in the Gospel, has the happiest influence on our lives. The latter excites us to gain the favour of God; the former to gain the love and esteem of wise and good men; and both conduce to the same end; for in framing our conceptions of the Deity, we only ascribe to him exalted degrees of Wis dom and Goodness.. NOTE X. P. 32. Yet still how sweet the soothings of his art ! The astronomer chalking his figure on the wall, in Hogarth's view of Bedlam,, is an admirable exemplification of this idea. See the RAKE'S PROGRESS, plate 8.. Turns but to start, and gazes but to sigh! The following stanzas are said to have been written on a blank leaf of this Poem. They present so affecting a reverse of the picture, that I cannot neglect the opportunity of introducing them here. Pleasures of Memory !—oh supremely blest, Memory makes her influence known By sighs and tears, and grief alone. I greet her as the fiend, to whom belong The vulture's ravening beak, the raven's fun'ral song. She tells of time mispent of comfort lost, What but the deep inherent dread, Lest she beyon the grave resume her reign, And realise the bell that priests and beldams feign? Hast thou thro' Eden's wild wood vales pursued, &c. On the road-side between Penrith and Appelby stands a small pillar with this inscription: "This pillar was erected in the year 1656, by Ann, Countess Dowager of Pembroke, &c. for a memorial of her last parting, in this place, with her good and pious mother, Margaret, Countess Dowager of Cumberland, on the 2d of April, 1616: in memory whereof she hath left an annuity of 41 to be distributed to the poor of the parish of Brougham, every 2d day of April for ever, upon the stone-table placed hard by. Laus Deo !" The Eden is the principal river of Cumberland, and has its source in the wildest part of Westmore land. NOTE a. P. 34. Thus, with the manly glow of bonest pride, Ormond bore the loss with patience and dignity: though he ever retained a pleasing, however melancholy sense of the signal merit of Ossory. “I would not exchange my dead son." said he" for any living som in Christendom." HUME, vi. 340 The same sentiment is inscribed on Miss Dolman's urn at the Leasowes, Heu, quanto minus est cum reliquis versari, quam tui meminisse! NOTE b. P. 36. High on exulting wing the heath-cock rose. This bird, according to Mr. Pennant, is remarkable for his exultation during the spring; when he calls the hen to his haunts with a loud and shrill voice and is so inattentive to his safety as to be easily shot. Brit. Zoology, 266. NOTE C. P. 36. Derwent's clear mirror. The Lake of Keswick in Cumberland. NOTE d. P. 40. Down by St. Herbert's consecrated grove, A small wooded island once dignified with a religious house. NOTE e. P. 41. When lo! a sudden blaft the vessel blew In a lake, surrounded with mountains, the agitations are often violent and momentary. The winds blow in gusts and eddies; and the water no sooner swells, than it subsides. See BOURN's Hift. of Westmoreland. |