Where Science, youth, the great, the gay resort, In health's blest seat let Comus hold his court. If harmless pleasure can your minds engage, Mock not the efforts of our mimic stage ;† yet unadorned, were visible; and even as it then was, there was to be found in it walks and recesses, in which Mr. Gray observed, in his sublime conciseness, "that a man, who could think, might think." By perseverance and skill he at last surmounted every difficulty which was opposed to him through a long series of years, and he formed and left the scene as it now is. (December, 1809) Thoughout the whole, and in every part of it, the marks of a judg ment, which cannot be questioned, and of an unerring taste, which was regulated by discreet expense, are so eminently conspicuous, as to proclaim Mr. Nicholls to have been, what a kindred poet so happily terms, "Un artiste qui pense, Prodigue de genie, et non pas de depense." Delille, Les Jardins, L. 1. To be a visitor and an inmate guest to Mr. Nicholls at Blundeston in the gay season, when his lake was illuminated by summer suns, and rippled by the breeze; when every tree and shrub, in its chosen position, seemed to wave in homage to its possessor and cultivator; when a happy and youthful company of either sex, distinguished by their talents and accomplishments, was enlivened by the good humour and spirit which presided over the whole; with the charm of music, and with every well-tempered recreation, which the season could present, and with all the elegance of the domestic internal arrangements; it was difficult, indeed, I say, to be a visitor and a guest at Blundeston in that gay season, and not to be reminded of Spenser's imagination; "For all that pleasing is to eye or ear, Was there consorted in one harmony; Birds, voices, instruments, winds, waters, all agree!" Whoever have been witnesses of the scene will know that I speak of it as they have seen it, and that I have set down nothing in fiction." As a supplement to this interesting Memoir is annexed an Italian Ode or Tuscan Canzone, addressed to Mr. Nicholls when living, and composed at his Villa at Blundeston. It is entitled "AIP Erudito e nell' Amena Letteratura Versatissimo Norton Nicholls Presentandogli L'Aggiunta Ai Componimenti Lirici Scelti de Piu Illustri Poeti D'Italia." The Rev. Norton Nicholls, the accomplished and intimate friend of Mr. Gray, received the early part of his education at Eton, under the celebrated Dr. Barnard. In 1760, he entered at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he proceeded to the degree of LL.B. in 1766. In 1767 he was presented to the Rectories of Bradwell and Lound, both in this County. He died at his house at Blundeston on the 22d, of Nov. 1809, in the 68th year of his age, and was interred in the chancel of Richmond Church, Surry, where a marble tablet is erected to his memory, the inscription on which is given in Lysons' Environs, Supplement p. 429. The Theatre, a spacious building, is situate a little to the west of the town, in what is called Bell Lane. It has lately been rebuilt by Mr. Fisher, the present proprietor, and the manager of a respectable company of comedians, who, at regular intervals, pay their devoirs to the inhabitants of Lowestoft and its vicinity. One glance from you can ev'ry fear beguile, THE POLITICK MAID OF SUFFOLK; OR THE Lawyer Outwitted. The following curious old Ballad is printed from a copy, which was obligingly communicated to the Editor of this Collection by a Gentleman, whose taste, knowledge and collections in antient English Literature stand unrivalled in this County. COME all ye young men and maids, Or you that love a merry jest, Give ear awhile to me. I'd have you give attention To what I have to tell, "Twill please you wondrous well. "Tis of a wealthy Lawyer, That did in Suffolk dwell, He kept a handsome House-keeper, He kiss'd and press'd her o'er and o'er; Till her apron grew too short before, It happen'd on a certain day, As talking they were led, She wept, she wail'd, she wrung her hands, And thus to him she said; He straight gave her a loving kiss, And without more delay, He took her by the lily white hand, And thus to her did say ; I wish Old Nick may fetch me straight, (A woeful tale to tell) If ever I prove false to thee, My dearest Nell. Then thus with joys and loving toys, They past away the time, 'Till seven months were gone and past, (But two left out of nine.) When from her place he turn'd her quite, As I to you may tell, All for the sake of a Lady bright, Alas poor Nell! But when she found she was deceiv'd, She wept and tore her hair; And cry'd there's no belief in man, It plainly doth appear. Oh! how could he so cruel be, Now it happen'd to this Lady bright, Would walk to her from home. And longing for a richer spouse, As Nell was sitting all alone, Lamenting sad one night, A project came into her head, Which made her laugh outright. Thought she, I'll make myself as black And watch some night for his coming home, She to a Chimney-sweeper went, And there a bargain made, And furthermore she said; But come along with me. She having learned the lad his tale, If you do act your part aright, You half a crown I'll pay. She gave him squibs of gunpowder, And coming to a lonesome wood, The which adjoining to a road, That the lawyer must come by: It was just about the hour of one, The lawyer he came trudging home She quickly caught him by the skirt, Then with a doleful hollow voice, She said, you must along with me You wed poor Nell. With that the chimney-sweeper's boy Set fire unto the train, Which flew and crack'd about his head, And made him roar amain. |