the raging waters have hurled some bewildered animal over the precipice. After scrambling among piles of huge rocks that obstruct his way. the traveller gains the bottom of the Fall, where the soul can be susceptible only of one emotion, viz. that of uncontrollable terror.

"It was not until I had, by frequent excursions to the Falls, in some measure familiarized my mind with their sublimities, that I ventured to explore the penetralia of the Great Cataract. The precipice over which it rolls is very much arched underneath; while the impetus which the water receives in its descent, projects it far beyond the cliff, and thus an immense Gothic arch is formed by the rock and the torrent. Twice I entered this cavern, and twice I was obliged to retrace my steps, lest I should be suffocated by the blasts of dense spray that whirled around me ; however, the third time I succeeded in advancing about twenty-five yards. Here darkness began to encircle me ; on one side, the black cliff stretched itself into a gigantic arch far above my head, and on the other, the dense and hissing torrent formed an impenetrable sheet of foam, with which I was drenched in a moment. The rocks were so slippery, that I could hardly keep my feet, or hold securely by them; while the horrid din made me think the precipices above were tumbling down in colossal fragments upon my head.

"It is not easy to determine how far an individual might advance between the sheet of water and the rock; but were it even possible to explore the recess to its utmost extremity, scarcely any one, I believe, would have courage to attempt an expedition of the kind."

Proof that a man can be his own grandfather.-There was a widow and her daughter-in-law, and a man and his son. The widow married the son, and the daughter the old man: the widow

was therefore mother to her husband's father, consequently grandmother to her own husband. They had a son, to whom she was great-grandmother: now as the son of a great-grandmother must be either a grandfather or great uncle, this boy was therefore his own grandfather.-N. B. This was actually the case with a boy at a school at Norwich.

Books. It is singular that England was regarded as so excellent a mart for books, that as early as the year 705 books were brought hither for sale.— (Townley's Illustrations.

To Correspondents.

To our Manchester Correspondent "Rowland Park" we recommend a total change both of stile and of subjects. We think we see in him the germ of future excellence; but wish he had studied the principles of composition more systematically. What he has sent us may be all true, but it is not all interesting; two reasons for which may be given: 1st. That he employs too many words, and those not always correctly; 2nd. That he does not exercise sufficient discrimination between commonplace subjects, and those which are calculated to attract by their novelty. When he has corrected these defects, we shall be glad to hear from him again.

We feel obliged to our friend Marm. Tulket. O. S. B. for another communication, and will endeavour to give his description of Walton Le Dale next week.

Lines written by JANTHE," The escape from Love" and "The last visit to West Point Garden, Halifax" shall appear shortly.

"EPITAPHIUM," Original, and" Lines by a Clergyman to a Lady lately deceased" in our next. We shall be obliged by the life of T. Denny.

We cannot forbear expressing the obligations we feel to our numerous Correspondents, for the many favours we have lately received, and hope they will continue them. We shall be glad again to hear from MEMNON; and likewise from" A HUSBAND."

Price 31d.]

No. 14. Vol. I.

AMOR patria is a feeling which I

think attaches in a greater or less de.. gree to all persons, of whatever country they claim descent, and in which they drew existence. Men require not the force of fortune or the power of high birth, to instil in their veins the warmest attachment to their native land: they cannot forget the protection that it yielded in their earliest days, and as life passes along, gratitude urges them to esteem it more and more. It is perhaps the country of their parents, and for their sake they will cherish it. It affords all the blessings that they enjoy: it shields them in adversity-it enhances and secures their privileges and enjoyments. It unfolds every source from which they draw happiness; and although it may engender many dis-, quietudes and create many sorrows in the hearts of its children, it is yet rendered dear by many ties which will remain indissoluble amidst the greatest afflictions; and however depressed the heart may feel, it will always beat true to its native soil, and will wade through dangers of the most extreme kind, in order to effect its welfare, or before it will abandon it to ruin and downfall.

The love for our native country which inhabits the breast of all our race, is generally productive of good, and acts as an incitement to the performance of such deeds as are powerful in working the welfare of others, whilst they entail honour upon the person who thus pursues this line of conduct. Still, though we reflect with pleasure upon the spirit which prompts to so many actions of excellence, we cannot but feel a little mortified, when we think that under the mask of affection for the place of their birth, many wickednesses have been committed by individuals of former periods, and by 2 E

VOL. I.

For

numbers of our present times. their own personal aggrandizement and emolument, they have been guilty of offences which deserve the punishment of the laws and the contempt of mankind; and in the perpetration of their crimes, they have ever lauded themselves with honourable terms, of which they in truth were not deserving. In order to hide their sin, and place a cloak upon their guilt, they have accompanied their deeds with pompous praise, and talked in the most extravagant manner of the motives which burn in their bosoms, and urge them to action.Their country is said to be in need of their labours; the laws to require their improving influence; kings to want amending; senators to be steering in corruption for lack of their watchfulness; society to be on the decay, and demanding their interference; and religion, morality, and virtue to be loosing estimation amongst the people, and consequently calling for their attention in reinstating their fallen character. To accomplish the amendment of these abuses, if they really existed, would most certainly be a praise-worthy undertaking, and its importance must necessarily be attended by the interest and surprize of all who are to mark the fulfilment of the engagement. If, then, a set of men are vile enough to assert, that such incongruities and improprieties do live, and obtain a number to believe their words and to aid them in their machinations, their evil intentions will but be discovered when they have done much mischief; and then it is that they affirm, that the love of their country-the love of their neighbours--alone prompted them to action. Such false assertions, I am sorry to say, are too readily relied upon; and there is

sorry number of credulous beings, who will believe any specious and apparently honourable words that may fall from the lips of men, who are in fact, enemies to order and happiness, and only pursue their own selfish advancement and interest. This amor patriæ is too often invoked for such evil intentions. It is creditable only when it is used in its proper meaning; but it may be made the watchword to villany, and the covert to conceal misconduct.

Notwithstanding the false and wrong use which is too frequently made of this love of our country, and its being often said, that it is the motive which urges many through the path of duty, we can yet congratulate ourselves on the reflection, that such falsities does not accompany the intentions and practices of most men. That there have been thousands who were actuated by the best feelings towards others, and who are prompted wholly for their interest, history and experience will confirm; and that our own times abound with the disinterested, and the patriot, we have every reason to assert. Time has not obliterated the feeling which has operated upon the first of men, every day exhibits some instance of this, and the nobleness of the patriot, and the virtues of the citizen, burn with uncommon splendour in the breasts of millions. Our own country has risen to a state of exaltation unparalleled by any others; and this has been effected by the wisdom of its polity, and the bravery of its arms. That its glories are on the decline we have no reason to suppose; and there is as much honour and worth attached to those, who from their conduct uphold so great and beautiful a structure from falling into ruin, as hang round the name of those who originally were its

constructors.

It was the love for their native country, and desire for its welfare, that goaded on the greatest warriors of antiquity, to undertake the achievemets which they did. Their souls ardently, thirsted after that which would effect the glory and happiness of the land of their birth. Toil and labour were held in contempt when hardships and struggles presented themselves; nay, death itself, though perhaps attended by excessive torture and cruelty, was held as nothing when their country called them to submit. For it they would

cheerfully die; for it they would yield up wealth and possession, and quietly succumb to the greatest privacions, and the most protracted sorrows. When Carthage was drained of resources, and her arms had suffered by repeated losses and by long engagements, she sent Regulus (who had fallen into her hands) to beg a peace of Rome. He was told that should he not succeed, death would be his portion on his return. On his arrival near Rome, he was met by the senators and citizens, all of whom were willing for a peace; but Regulus, to the surprise of all, was found to desire a continuance of war. He knew the situation of his enemy, and that they could not long hold out, and although he might have life and liberty through the means of obtaining a cessation of hostilities, he would rather endure death and torments, than that his country should forego her advantages. He left his native land, his wife, his children, and his friends, to meet a fate which he well knew would attend his return. Neither the tears of the one, nor the supplication of the other, could avert his determination. It was for his country's welfare, that war should be continued, and therefore he gave up life that such might be the case. The zeal which he shewed on this occasion, has rendered his name illustrious; and this one act will immortalize him in the page of history. It proved an example to those about him; it incited them to fresh and renewed deeds of valour and prowess, which ceased alone in the destruction of perfidious Carthage.

But if we look back into the Roman and Grecian history, and into the records of our own land, we shall meet with innumerable instances of such nobleness and magnanimity. We read of men who were totally devoted to works of virtue and greatness; no sordid motives urged them onwards, but the love of their country, and an ardent desire for its growth in honour and glory, were their incitements. They spurned slavery, and fought for freedom; they gained their desires, and left to posterity the knowledge of their deeds, as a meet example for them to follow.

It is impossible for a man to form a just conception of what love he may bear for his native country, unless he has left it for awhile, and sojourned in another land. When memory tells him

That land thy country, and that spot thy home.

The anxiety and distress which aecompanies a desire to return to the land of our birth, when at a distance from it, is almost incredible. Every thing that might at one period distress us, when residing there, dwindles into nothing, and the imagination only paints up delight, and beauties. Deformity is entirely obliterated by the loveliness which fancy conjures up. The mind loathes every thing around it, and burns to quit it. Sorrow takes hold of the heart, and it sickens at each object, and at every person who surround it. Nothing can please or lull by its gratification. Every hour of absence adds fuel to the encreasing flame that threatens to destroy by its extension.

At length it is found

useless to endeavour to restrain the longing soul, or allay the heaving bosom a resolution is taken, and the poor stranger once more asks the shelter of his native country. He may by his determination have foregone riches and emolument, but he satisfies the yearnings of his bosom, and obtains happiness and repose by the act, which to him is felt as much more valuable than all worldly and sordid benefits.

But this warmth and fervour for any particular country, will sometimes lead men to exhibit much childishness, and to shew much unnecessary and undeserved bias. The Scotch, for instance, are almost disgusting from the many prejudices which they display for their native land. This might be somewhat excused, if they did not indulge their propensity by detracting from the real merits of other countries around them. This is unpardonable; and particularly when it comes from the lips of those who have left their homes and are residing

in a land which yields them support, and from which they draw stores that their own ipse dixit Paradise refused to grant. For as long as an individual is behaved to respectably, and is protected in his person and property, he is in duty bound to shew some gratitude, if it only consist in yielding his praise and thanks for the treatment he has experienced.

The love of our country is a phrase which conveys much meaning. When it fills the bosom in its purest warmth, it urges the possessor to deeds of virtue, and creates in him a desire to do acts, alone worthy of a patriot and a man. We have lived to see many such characters, and yet live to feel the benefits arising from their truly excellent conduct. That our patriotism and amor patrie may increase with our days, is my earnest and strongest desire!

WALTON LE DALE.

(Written expressly for the Babbler.) "A decent church the neighbouring glebe coinmands;

Whose steeple's stock'd with bells, the country's pride

Whose beams are wreath'd about with virgin bands,

Wave on the bridal day with virgin hands,
The surplice clean, and chancel newly whited,
That with Radcliffe's neatness all must be de-
lighted.

His house stands hard by his churches eastern part,

Whose furniture shows housewif'ry, and neat,
A pretty garden runs from one to t'other,
Stately in use, excluding useless state,
In which a yew tree stands of ancient date.

Walton Le Dale, in the (hundred of Blackburn,) County Palatine of Lancaster; in the Parish of Blackburn; contains a chapel dedicated to St. Leonard, the only one on the old foundation, under Blackburn vicarage, and endowved like the rest with two oxgangs of land, and of the certified value of fifteen pounds, eight shillings and eightpence. The resident population of this village in 1801, was five thousand, eight hundred and thirty two. The money raised by the Parish Rates in 1803, was eight hundred and eighty two pounds,

nineteen shillings and five pence farthing, at four shillings and ten-pence in the pound. It is two miles south east from the town of Preston, This pleasant, but romantic village is situate in a vale, through which the River Ribble flows, dividing the townships of Fishwick, Kuerdale and Walton, and derives its name from the Saxon words; Whale and Tow, signifying the town near the water; containing neat and well roofed dwellings, cottages, &c. forming a kind of street, in a direct line; the dwellings standing on your left, as you come from Manchester to Preston, and facing the river Ribble below. There is a handsome stone Bridge at the north end, with three light arches, through which the stream passes on its way by Preston and so on to Penwortham Bridge, thence forward to Nese Point, and eventually falling into the Irish sea by Lytham. This village may with propriety be ranked one of the most romantic and lovely situations in the north of England, for beauty and imagery of landscape it cannot be surpassed, surrounded as it is, by a vicinage, consisting of the richest pasturage, meadow and arable land. The valley of Fishwick, (eastward) is delightful, and as you stand in the centre upon a serene day in summer, viewing the panoramic scene before you, on every side, your imagination is filled with high conceptions, at the stupendous works of nature's God- towards Brockholes, it gradually narrows, where the majestic indigenous trees, clothe the slope of the southern and northern summits. A fine echo is produced, by shouting any particular monosyllable, as you walk along the banks of this dale, immediately from Brockholes to the Boat-house near Samlesbury Church. This echo is very fine as you hollo from the north side of Ribble; the voice is carried over the river to the opposite or southern side, and by meeting with a rebut, by the height of the hill before you, causes a distinct answer to be returned, as clear and distinct as the one given. This is a kind of Ven triloquism in nature. Every observer knows that an echo is the reflection of sound striking against a surface adapted to the purpose, as the side of a bill, &c. The river Derwent, in its course from "moulden water" presents some very interesting and admirable scenery;

Darwen bank, the seat of Edward Pedder, Esq. Kuerdale Lodge, Calrow, Esq. Walton Vicarage, Rev. E. S. Radcliffe, L. L. B. Cooper Hill, Swainson, Esq. Walton Hall, H. Hoghton, Esq. The banks of the Ribble are graced by the following seats, viz: Red Scar, W. Crosse, Esq.: Fishwick Lodge,

-Shawe, Esq; Frenchwood house, John Swainson, Esq.; the Cliffe, by Preston, R. W. Robinson, M. D. the bank, or Penwortham Hall, L. Rawsthorne, Esq.; Tulket Hall, Madame Hesketh; Willows, John Pilkington, Esq; Chain, Gorst, Esq. The river Derwent falls into the river Ribble below Walton Villa, between two handsome stone bridges, the one Walton bridge east ward, the other Penwortham bridge westward. Thus we have stated that these edifices grace the banks, and other parts attiguous to the Ribble and Darwen rivers. The river Darwen possessed a bridge, which had one of the largest arches in the north of England, (the relics of which may still be seen) being twenty one yards between the springers at each end, and was so elevated in the centre, as to be extremely dangerous when any vehicle was going over it.

Walton Church, alias low church, called so in common speech, from its benefactor, whose residence was fixed at an ancient building on the south side of the church in the valley. It appear from the Townley M. S. S. "That Adam de Blackborne, at the earnest request of John de Lacy, of Lacy Castle, nigh Clitheroe, his Lord, grants to the abbot and convent of Stanlaw, the chapel of Walton, dedicated to St. Leonard, with the lands, tythes and obventions, belonging to the same, subject to a payment of twenty marks, per annum, to Richard the adopted son of the Dean, until he shall be promoted to a better benefice. This manor was long the property of the Langton's, Barons of Newton, and Walton Le Dale, one of these holding under the palatineate of Lancaster, till the 32d. of Elizabeth. When Thomas Langton, having unfortunately killed Thomas Hoghton, of Hoghton Tower, Esq. in a duel, made his peace with the family aforesaid, by

*This church has latterly had a north and south wing added to the body of the edifice, giving it a cruciform appearance.