To a number of sticks my attention directed,
Which for May-poles, she said, had been lately
erected.

But that this was mere joking, I very well knew,
For presently many tall ships pass'd in view;
And you cannot but guess how my heart was in
motion,

When at length we obtain'd a full view of the ocean.
The first moment I could, to the shingles I stalk'd,
And close to the loud-sounding billows I walk'd,
Where astonish'd indeed for some moments I stood,
Admiring the wonderful strength of the flood;
But quickly found out it was time to be walking,
Being caught by a wave as I only stood talking;
And one of my legs got so copious a dipping,
That I speedily hopp'd away, laughing, but dripping;
And thought myself happy so snug to retreat,
For, like cats, I dislike to be wet in my feet.
But, although from the surges we steer'd far away,
I got pretty well sous'd with the splash of the spray.
And now at the Lion behold us again,

Where for two nights at least we've agreed to remain; And shall great havock make with the Aldeburgh soals,

Which here in fine seasons they catch in large shoals; And for lobsters, so plentiful here do they buy them, I believe in my heart I shall venture to try them.

But, behold, the clouds louring the welkin deform, And some symptoms appear of a terrible storm; The winds whistle hollow, the breakers rise high; And a signal for pilots we just can descry.

Down the beach with all haste they are dragging the boat;

66

Cheerly, cheerly, my lads! huzza! she's afloat!"

G

With speed quick as lightning they dash thro' the

wave;

And will joyful return, for the ship they can save. But I really am put in a terrible fright;

And so, my dear sister, I wish you good night.

LETTER VI.

Aldeburgh, Sep. 18th

This morning to rambling was wholly applied; On the beach we first walk'd till disturb'd by the tide; Then we mounted the terrace, a beautiful place, Whence the views are immense o'er the ocean's wide

space:

Saw the church, with some beautiful gardens indeed,
With abundance of flowers, and with scarcely a weed.
Mr. Wyndham's pavilion is gracefully neat,
And the Marquist may boast of his rural retreat.
Mr. Vernon's parterres so luxuriantly bloom,
That they vie with Arcadia's most fragrant perfume;
But friend Wade's pretty cottage, plac'd close to the

sea,

I declare, is a palace sufficient for me.

And the views all around were so wonderful fine, I reluctantly left them, though summon'd to dine.

LETTER VII.

Aldeburgh, Sep. 19th.

At length, my dear sister, your father's young

daughter

Has fairly been plung'd head and heels in the water.
Having made up my mind that I'd have a good dip,
I went into a waggon that swims like a ship;
And if Molly Argyle had but seen me jump in,
I think 'twould have added an inch to her chin ;

+ Of Salisbury.

"For if my dear child the rude billows should smother,
"I'm certain I never should see such another ;"
To speak truth, I did make a small bit of a squalling,
When first in the salt waves I found myself falling.
But of one point 'tis needless to have the least doubt,
As fast as I possibly could I crept out;
And, shaking my ears like a tragedy queen,
I could hardly imagine I'd really been in.
But, as now to the sea I'm no longer a stranger,
I have thrown away ev'ry idea of danger.

This whole journey has been so productive of plea

sure,

That I'm really delighted and charm'd beyond mea

sure:

I've been seeing new objects from morning to noon, And am only concern'd that we left them so soon.

But now the scene changes, and homeward we pace,

Recollecting the vestige of each charming place; Till at Ipswich once more we're arriv'd full of glee, And now for the present farewell to the sea!

LETTER VIII.

Ipswich, Sep. 20th.

Our next route, my dear sister, 's intended for Harwich,

So behold us at Ipswich remounting our carriage; But, as travellers must frequently find to their cost, There's a proverb call'd Reckoning more fast than your host.

As Stoke Bridge is repairing, the road lies thro' the river,

Where, when the tide rises, the ford's not very clever; And by prudent observers 'tis well understood, That 'tis not very pleasant to stick in the mud ;

So we try'd the old bridge, and, as sure as a fiddle, We flounder'd before we got half to the middle; Yet, as money does all things, the workmen were willing

To prepare us a road, if we gave them a shilling. This obstacle conquer'd, we drove on like Jehu, Till Freston's old tower appear'd full in our view; The Orwell's fring'd banks like enchantment look'd gay,

And

gave a new zest to the charms of the day.

Next to Shotley proceeding, we reach'd Shotley Ferry,

Where we find some good brandy to make our hearts merry;

But the worst of it is (tho' we laugh and are glad,)
Not a passage-boat here is, alas! to be had;
But we shall not be kept very long in suspence,
For a small two-oar'd wherry is soon going hence.
And now thro' a very deep water we glide,
Whilst the sea roughly rolls with the swell of the tide ;
For just at the junction of the Orwell and Stour
Our two Charons were tugging at least half an hour;
And the surge was so high when we got to the shore,
That our landing detain'd us full ten minutes more.

But now we're at Harwich, and thankful am I,
Our inn's the Three Cups, and our dinner draws nigh
But first for a walk to survey this old borough,
To peep at the church, and the church-yard go
thorough.

On the opposite shore Landguard Fort boldly stands,
Well secur'd by Britannia's invincible bands.
Long, long may our Monarch the honour retain
Of being King of the Islands that govern the Main!

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THE GLORIES OF BURY.

Bury has been so frequently described by different writers, that it will be amply sufficient to refer the reader to a list of the principal works relating to the subject: they are, "Corolla varia contexta per Guil. "Haukinum, Scholarcham Hadleianum in Agro Suffolciensi. Cantabr. ap. Tho. Buck, 1634." 12mo. Antiquitates S. Edmundi Burgi ad annum 1272 "perductæ. Autore Joanne Battely, S. T. P. Archi"diacono Cantuariensi. Opus Posthumum. Oxoniæ, "1745." 4to. "Bury, and its Environs, a poem, "Lon. 1747." by Dr. Winter, fol. "A Description

66

of the ancient and present state of the Town and Ab"bey of Bury St. Edmund's, in the county of Suffolk. "Chiefly collected from ancient authors, and MSS. The second edition with corrections. Containing an account of the Monastery, from the foundation to its "dissolution; with a list of the Abbots, and the several Benefactors to the Town. To which is likewise "added, a list of the post and stage coaches, &c. to "and from Bury; with the distance of the several "towns to which they go. Bury, 1771." 12mo. This edition was revised by the Rev. Sir John Cullum, bart. and the third, under the superintendance of that profound antiquary, the Rev. George Ashby, rector of Barrow, appeared in 1782. "An Historical and

Descriptive Account of St. Edmund's Bury, in the "county of Suffolk: comprising an ample detail of the "origin, dissolution, and venerable remains of the Abbey, and other places of Antiquity in that ancient "Town. By Edmund Gillingwater, author of the History of Lowestoft, &c. Bury, 1804." 12mo. "An Illustra"tion of the Monastic History and Antiquities of the "Town and Abbey of St. Edmund's Bury. By the "Rev. Richard Yates, F. S. A. of Jesus College, Cambridge: chaplain to his majesty's royal hospital, "Chelsea, and rector of Essa alias Ashen. "Views of the most considerable Monasterial Remains.

With

By the Rev. William Yates, of Sidney Sussex Col"lege, Cambridge, 1805." 4to. "Notes concerning "Bury St. Edmund's, in Com. Suffolk, extracted out