FOUNTAINS ABBEY. To feel, is to be alive; he only can be said truly to live, who is capable of enjoying the beauties of creation. Here the admirer of nature will receive a high treat, from elegant formed woods, sinking into deep glens; decorative buildings in various appropriate situations; a fine canal of water, to add a grace; and withal, one of the most grand and highly picturesque ruins in the kingdom. It rises in solemn majesty above the surrounding scenery with the stately port of a giant. For myself, I appeared to tread on enchanted ground, the mind being kept on the stretch, by a display of new beauties, which ever way I glanced my eye. Let Retire to a respectful distance, ye dull and phlegmatic worldings; this spot is sacred to the arts, prophane it not with unhallowed feet. He who is not an enthusiast towards such scenes as these, may be said to be dead to the finest feelings bestowed on man by a bountiful Creator. such frigid mortals as can view this place with apathy, seek for languid pleasures in the artificial amusements of a theatre; or, turning their eye from the great orb of day, retire to prattle in the illuminated and crouded walks of a public garden. Hence, I Hence, avaunt, ('tis holy ground!) Mad Sedition's cry profane; And Servitude, that hugs her chain; Nor in these consecrated bow'rs Let painted Flatt'ry hide her serpent-train in flow'rs: Nor Envy base, nor creeping Gain, Dare the Muse's walk to stain; While bright-eyed Science watches round: Hence, away, 'tis holy ground! GRAY. But Here is ample scope for the moralist; let him behold here the perishable labors of man. THOU, Almighty Creator of the universe, thy works flourish for ever! Opposite the high altar, see that sacred repository of the dead. That stone coffin once contained the body of the redoubted Lord Richard de Percy, who held a principal charge under Edward the First during his wars in Scotland. Alas! where now is that tongue that was wont to command? and that hand which was irresistible? Of his ashes not one atom remains to speak of his former greatness. Who hath not seen beauty perish, and renown sink in the midst of his triumphs? We also shall be forgot. This lofty house shall fall. Our sons shall not behold the ruins in grass. They shall ask the aged, 'Where stood the walls of our fathers.' OSSIAN. The The remains of the choir of the Church convey a high idea of its former splendor. The ascent to the altar displays a rich piece of mosaic, formed into diamonds, squares, and other fanciful figures. The morning being uncommonly clear and fine, the north side of the choir presented a fine broad sheet of light, which was happily contrasted by the powerful dark under the arches behind the high altar: the light part being agreeably broken by the clustered columns attached to the wall, and by its rich mantling of ivy, produced altogether a most happy and elegant effect. Nor was the effect of the coloring less attractive: the sky being a deep blue, (only broken with a few fleecy clouds,) served as a fine foil to the greens of the trees, and the flowing herbage which decorated the walls; while the chaste cool tint of the stones gave a fine harmony to the whole.* * From what cause it might arise, I know not; but I frequently had occasion to remark, that the coloring of Nature in this part of the country, was unusually bright and vigorous: not only in the vegetation, but also in the cattle; and the air appeared of a fine clear and deep azure. I first observed this effect in the neighbourhood of Skipton. Should the beauty of the scenery at Fountains Abbey prompt the student to sketch, the retirement of the place will afford him an opportunity of coloring from nature. The whole effect of the light and shade may be acquired by the aid of Indian ink, indigo, (or Prussian blue,) and Indian red: after which, the tints may be obtained from burnt Terra de Sienna, or Roman ochre, (according to their brilliancy,) combined with more or less of |