the stream, and were reflected in the water, we reached the bridge, landing near which, I again set foot on terra firma, and found myself within the town of

CHEPSTOW.

This place which lies on the declivity of a hill, and is surrounded by considerable heights, is in its form semilunar, and seems to be principally indebted to trade for the main spring of its activity. I observed an excellent market place of recent construction, and a church of heavy Saxon architecture, which seemed to be the remains of a once elegant and magnificent temple of Apollo, so long ago as during the dominion of the Romans. The bridge too which was formerly a principal object of curiosity, from its being constructed of moveable pieces of timber, owing to the influences of what is called the Boar, is now supplanted by a handsome one of iron. But the most venerable relict of antiquity was the castle which stands on a high rock, on the very verge of the Wye, and vies both from its extent and command of situation with the proudest structure of the kind in the kingdom. There are four courts within the walls, which, with the chapel, bar

racks, and some massy battlements, and turrets, are in a fair state of preservation. You cannot enter within its enclosure, before you are instantly acquainted by your guide of its history, and of its being formerly the prison of the noted Regicide Marten, who persisted in a fatal consistency of error to the very day of his death, dying as he had lived a most sturdy republican. I left these interesting remains with a sort of congratulation and rejoicing, that former days of murder and of bloodshed were happily at an end.

The views around the environs of the town were truly enchanting, combining hills, wood, and water, whilst the principal objects of attraction were undoubtedly the walks; one of which, to the pleasurable spot of Piersefield at about two miles distant, will amply repay the trouble and exertion. Tuesday and Friday are the privileged days, and luckily it was on a Friday when I was enabled to embrace the opportunity, and to avail myself of the freshness of a fine summer's evening. On entering by the lodge, I passed over the lawn, which seemed tastefully laid out in hill and dale, 'till

I arrived at the walks cut through the hanging woods, which clothe the rocky heights, I before named to you, over the Wye.

Proceeding through this alley, lined with trees, whose branches uniting at the top, projected a solemn shade, I felt a kind of pensive attention awakened within me, as by advancing I found myself in a deeper gloom, with no diversity of objects, either to vary or relieve the view. Strolling along I felt a pleasing dread and enjoyment, at the magnificent appearance of nature, without a glimpse of either light or sunshine. This seemed to be the spot,

"For those whom wisdom and whom nature charm, "To steal themselves from the degen'rate crowd; "To soar above this little scene of things,

“And woo lone quiet in her silent walks."

On a sudden however, by a quick turning, I stepped into open day, and was aroused by the quick and striking display of the extraordinary and imposing objects which lay spread before me, embracing the magnitude and irregularity of huge cliffs, on whose declivity I

was now walking, and the smooth floating expanse of the water beneath.

I soon reached the Alcove, where seating myself, with the whole shade of the wood behind, the vast walls of rocks in front, and Chepstow Castle in view, affording a humiliating comparison of this Chef d'œuvre of art, with the rougher works of nature, I felt both my feelings and attention awakened, especially as the view embraced the streams of the Wye, gliding by the base of the rocks on which I stood. Soon the walk became again recluse, 'till I arrived at the grotto-seat, where every object filled the mind with tranquil pleasures. From hence I arrived at a spot as gloomy as if it never saw the Sun. It had the appearance of a hermit's cell, from its being partly overspread with ivy, and partly with moss, and through a narrow slit of the wall appeared just sufficient light to discover huge pieces of rock, arranged according to the early religious worship of the Druids; but looking upwards, I started back instinctively at beholding above the entrance a gigantic figure, almost concealed in the ivy, grasping a massy piece of

limerock, which he seemed in the act of casting on the head of any intruder. The rusticity and solemnity around much increased this feeling, and such an affect had it on the beholder, that the passage through the cave, being the only way of proceeding, I hastily rushed through, and passed on to the height called Wind Cliff through an open path. On reaching the seat which is placed on the verge of the cliff, through a wood of firs, which are purposely planted for the effect of its influential gloom. What a magnificent scene lay before me!! Nature I think cannot afford one more glorious! In fact, I feel that imagination must do more than description.

Picture to yourself the vast wall of rock which forms the left bank of the Wye, lying in all its rugged majesty beneath you; the river flowing with its peculiar beauty still deeper at its base. To the left a steep acclivity richly mantled with wood, whilst the town and castle of Chepstow lay spread at a distance in the view on the right, backed by the blue peaks of the distant mountains of Wales.-But this is not all.-So elevated was the prospect-so unbrokenly could