Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

supported by the continual passing of tra vellers. A neat manufacture of straw hats, baskets, and toys, support many of the poor.

About four miles from Dunstable is Market Cell, now a gentleman's seat, but formerly a nunnery of Benedictines, dedicated to the Holy Trinity of the Wood. The monkish legend says it owed its origin to Roger, a monk of St. Alban's, who, on his return from Jerusalem, led there an eremitical life; and taking under his care Christina, a rich virgin of Huntingdon, inspired her with the same contempt of the world. She succeeded to his cell, and many temptations did she resist, and was visited by divine visions, and had many miracles wrought in her favour. She was constituted first Abbess of Market Cell by Geoffry, Abbot of St. Alban's in 1119.

HERTFORDSHIRE.

[ocr errors]

ST. ALBAN'S. This town spreads along the slopes and top of a hill. The church, in its present state, is a grand and venerable pile; its form is that of a cross, with a tower. The height of the tower is one hundred and forty-four feet; that of the body, sixty-five; of the aisles, thirty; and the breadth of the body, two hundred and seventeen. By neglect, or by the ravages of war, the original church fell to decay; and a famine prevented the building of the new church under the Abbot Leofric. The troubles that ensued under the remaining Saxon monarchs, and the unsettled state of the kingdom at the conquest, caused the plan to lie dormant till 1077, when it was executed by Paul, a Norman monk. Many other parts were afterwards pulled down and rebuilt in the style of the times; but the present windows are certainly long posterior to those coeval with the walls, being painted, and quite in the taste of another age: it is in the inside only of the church that any part of the original building, or its genuine Saxon architecture, is preserved; which may be seen in the round arches that support the tower. Above the ancient arches are galleries, with openings around of a style probably coeval with the former.

The upper part of the choir is entirely of Gothic architecture, and is divided from the body by a stone screen, ornamented with

Gothic tabernacle work: the high altar fills the end of the choir; a rich and elegant piece of Gothic workmanship, and once adorned with images of gold and silver, placed in beautiful niches: the middle part is modern and clumsy. This altar was made in the reign of Edward IV. or Richard III. and cost eleven hundred marks.

The superb shrine of St. Alban was placed in a chapel dedicated to that saint, behind the choir: a small wooden gallery is yet standing, where a careful and trusty monk used to keep watch and ward, to prevent the precious jewels, and other valuable ornaments about this shrine, from being stolen.

On the south side of St. Alban's chapel is the magnificent tomb of Humphrey, the good Duke of Gloucester. He was uncle to Henry VI. and regent of the kingdom during the King's nonage: his many excellent qualities gained him the love of the people, but his popularity caused him to be hated by the Queen and her partyThey first effected the ruin of his Duchess by a ridiculous charge of witchcraft, and afterwards brought a groundless charge of treason against himself. He was conveyed to St. Edmund's Bury, where a parliament was convened in 1446, before whom he was accused; but his enemies fearing to execute him publicly, caused him to be stifled in his bed, and then pretended he died with vexation at his disgrace. Gloucester had always a great predilection for St. Alban's; he had bestowed on it rich vestments, to the value of three thousand marks, and the manor of Pembroke, that the monks might pray for his soul; and he particularly directed that his body should be buried within those holy walls.

||

In the middle of this beautiful tomb is a pervious arch, adorned above with the coat of arms of the deceased, and others along a frieze, with bis supporters, two antelopes with collars. From the frieze arises a light elegant tabernacle work, with niches, containing on one side the effigies of our princes; the other side is despoiled of the figures.

In 1703, the vault containing the illustrious remains of Duke Humphrey was opened. The body was preserved in a leaden coffin, in a strong pickle, and over

that was another case of wood, now perished. Against the wall is painted a crucifixion, with four chalices receiving the blood, and a hand pointing to a label, inscribed "Lord have mercy upon me."

[ocr errors]

general, filled with ancient buildings: it originally sprung from a few houses, built by King Offa, for the convenience of the officers and servants of the monastery.About the year 950 it was so increased, A long inscription against a column re- that King Ethelred gave it a grant of a ports the celebrated Sir John Mandeville market, and the rank of a borough: but to be buried here; but though St. Alban's the town was always considered a part of was his birth-place, it did not receive his || the abbey demesne, and at the conquest remains. He found a grave at Liege, in was part of its possession. At the time of the convent of the Gulielmites, in 1871. the dissolution, it fell into the hands of He was the greatest traveller of his or any Henry VIII.; and his son, Edward VI. on other age, having been out thirty-four March 12, 1553, made the town of St. Alyears; and as a pilgrim, a knight errant, ban's a body corporate, by the name of and a man of observation, he visited the mayor and burgesses. These were changed greatest part of Asia and Africa. He left by Charles II. into a mayor, recorder, to posterity a faithful account of his travels, twelve aldermen, and twenty-four assistwhich were shamefully falsified by the ants. monks; who long preserved, as relics, his knives, horse furniture, and spurs, and showed them to strangers, who visited their convent at Liege.

In the civil wars between York and Lancaster, this town was a scene of general carnage. Here was shed the first blood in that ancient quarrel: and here a bloody battle was fought under the resolute Mar

St. Peter's church lies at the upper end of the town; it was founded by Abbot Ul-garet of Anjou: in the second battle, as fin, and formerly belonged to the abbey; it is now a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of Ely.

The town of St. Alban's is large, and, in

she attempted to pass through the town, she was repulsed by a shower of arrows; but through the treachery or cowardice of the adverse party, she was again victorious.

JAHIA AND MEIMOUNE.-A TURKISH TALE.

(Concluded from Page 177.)

JAHIA was lost in astonishment at the magnificence of the sheick; and his surprise took from him the powers of speech. The sheick thus addressed him :-" I am arrived at the period of old age, and this is the first night that I ever dressed myself as you now see me. I have often prayed to God to grant me a son; I have now given up all hopes of having one; I there. fore have for some time supplicated him to send me an amiable and worthy man whom I might adopt as my child: my prayers are heard, for you have been sent Do not be surprised now, when I tell you that, whatever is thought of the sanctity of the sheicks, they all live in the same style that I do. Therefore, if you love wine, you may take your fill here; for you know that the dervises are allowed the use of it; so as we but avoid public scandal that is enough. Now I request

to me.

[ocr errors]

that you will regard me as your father in every respect; hide nothing from me, and follow the plan of life that I have laid down from my earliest youth."

This speech made Jahia adopt the idea he had formed when the sheick first addressed him; he took him for a prophet, and, indeed, for the prophet Elias. In the mean time this voluptuous dwelling, these riches, jewels, and beautiful female slaves, who were continually passing before them, soon banished this idea, as well as the wine which had been brought in, in large quantities. Sometimes he fancied that the sheick was an enchanter: but then, he reflected, what could be his design iu bringing me hither? What motive could he have for deceiving me? What have I to fear? My gold and raiment could tempt no one. Wine is forbidden in Turkish monasteries under pain of death, and Jahia

[ocr errors]

cadi of Scutari, to make over to you in his presence a donation of all I am possessed of, and satisfied with your company and conversation, I shall devote myself hereafter to the service of God.”—“ My Lord, and my father," said Jahia, “how can I sufficiently express my sense of all your benefits!"-After mutual professions of esteem and gratitude, the old man then quitted the apartment, leaving Jahia and Meimouné alone.

was surprised to see the most superb vases of gold and silver ostentatiously filled with the prohibited liquor. The sheick penetrating his thoughts, said:-" Do not imagine, my son, that I am guilty of drinking wine; I only had it brought here for you. We sheicks drink only the wine that is to be found in paradise."—A golden bottle was now placed beside the sheick, and they continued their repast. The sheick helped Jahia to some wine out of the golden bottle: it was a kind of sherbet composed As soon as he was out of hearing, the of sugar, musk, and amber: Jahia found it || beautiful slave said, with a deep sigh :— more agreeable just then to his taste than " Young man, you have not long to live; wine: and as soon as the desert was placed think of your situation."-This speech on the table the sheick caused to be made Jahia shudder: he was seized with brought in by his orders a quantity of an universal tremor, and with a faltering princely habits, which were laid in piles voice, he conjured Meimouné to explain on the sofa." I present you," said he to her meaning.—“ I feel interested for you," Jahia," with all these habits, and also said she; "and present circumstances will any one of my female slaves, who may be save me from the charge of immodesty, found most agreeable in your eyes."-This | when I say also that I love you: this love made the young Mussulman blush; but inspires me with fresh horror at the crimes to dissipate his confusion, the sheick poured that are here committed. Will you proout another goblet of the celestial wine, mise me," added she, "to take me with and Jahia drank it without knowing what you, and never to abandon me, if I deliver he was about. The sheick finding his you from the danger that now threatens guest rather disordered with wine, caused you?"—Jahia promised all she desired, and his slaves to take their musical instruments, bound himself by the most solemn oaths.and to play the most tender and amorous "Know then," said she, "that every species airs. Jahia was moved, and began to raise of wickedness is concentered in that old bis eyes on the fair forms that surrounded man; but if you wish to preserve your him. The sheick examined him atten- life, you must do exactly what I shall pretively, and again filling his goblet, he said,scribe to you. The sheick is coming back "My son, look well on those slaves. Chuse again; but every time that he calls you her that pleases you best, and to-night she || shall be yours."-Jahia, fearful that this was only some stratagem, swore to the sheick that he knew better what he owed to him, than to cast an eye of desire on any of his slaves.—" Chuse," repeated the old man, "it is my desire that you take to yourself her who may be most agreeable to you."

[ocr errors]

"Since, then," said Jahia, "it is really your wish, I chuse her who sits beside me." "I admire your good taste," said the sheick: “she is a Circassian, and I give her to you with pleasure. Come near to me, Meimouné," and then taking her by the hand, he gave her to Jahia, with five thousand sequins." It is," said he, "because you left your friends to come and sup with me this evening, that I make you these presents; and I shall go to-morrow to the

make no answer. He will order me to wake you, and I shall pretend to obey him; but do not you speak; remain quiet in your bed, and you will see all that is passing."

Some time after the sheick came behind one of the curtains; he called Jahia, who made no answer. He ordered Meimouné to wake him, but she assured him all her efforts were in vain: "but you have got the cords," said the old man," to tie him to the sofa; you know I have a great many precautions to take; being, as I may say, the only man in my house; I have now fifteen prisoners; what would become of me if I was to set them at liberty? Take good care of him, or your life shall answer for it."-So saying he went away.

Jahia was in an agony of terror.—“ Now rise," said Meimouné; "I will shew you

the place you have been unfortunate enough, ments, I will perish with you if I fail in deto be led into." She then took him by the || livering you.”—She then led him into anhand, and conducted him to a narrow other apartment, when taking him by the flight of stairs, which when they had de-hand, she opened a window, and said :— scended, she told him to look through a "Seize the branches of that pomegranate small opening in the wall. He saw from tree, and descend into the garden; I will it a dark dungeon, wherein were confined bring the little key that opens the gate, fourteen prisoners of different ages, all and soon be with you." loaded with chains, whereby their necks, feet, and hands were fastened. The young man who had carried the lanthorn before the sheick when he had first met Jahia, entered; and when the prisoners bewailed their fate in having been deceived by the sheick's promises, the very same as those he had made to Jahia, the slave replied:"Why then did you drink the wine that the sheick offered you only to try you ? I can only deliver one of you at a time; but be easy, you will all have your turn."-So saying he took one of them away.

Meimouné then told Jahia that the sheick would return to their apartment, and that they must go back again. A few minutes after they had laid down, the old man entered in his night gown, ready to go to bed. He called to Meimouné in a terrible voice, and told her it was then time to conduct her companion to prison. She told him he might depend upon her. The sheick then called the young man who was accustomed to attend upon him, and who appeared with an apron and a great knife by his side; he then brought the prisoner and slew him in the sight of his master, who mingled some of the blood of this wretched Mussulman in a glass of wine, and then drank it off." Now," said he to Meimouné, “bind Jahia hand and foot; thy head shall be the forfeit if he escapes."He then threw himself on a sofa and fell fast asleep.

Jahia, after the sheick was asleep, now fell on his knees before Meimouné, and begged her to save his life by procuring him the means of escape. Meimouné told him that she had promised to deliver him, but not to remain herself exposed to the resentment of the sheick; and the height of the walls, and the situation of the house, rendered their flight almost impracticable. "Liberty," said Jahia to her, "without you would be boudage: I would prefer death to life without you."-" Since," said the beautiful slave, "such are your senti

When Jahia found himself alone in the garden, he was seized with a thousand terrors least Meimouné should not return. After a short time, which seemed to him an age, the slave appeared, with two large bundles, which she threw to him, and joining him, carrying a little box under her arm, said:" Now we have not a moment to lose."

They arrived, without any impediment, at the house of Muhamid, who was yet carousing with his friends. They knocked at the door, which was opened by an old female slave, and they entered the apartment of the guests, who all rejoiced at again seeing Jahia: but Meimouné was very sad; on which Jahia said to her"Soul of my life, why art thou sad when we are in safety?"" Have you then," replied she, "forgot how near we are to that || wicked sheick? Remember that to immense riches he unites the reputation of an holy life: he has friends who will assist him in his pursuit after us, and we shall be irretrievably lost. He now sleeps; let us then instantly depart for Constantinople before the day appears."

Jahia replied:-"If, bright moon of the world, I might act as I pleased, I would this instant cross the sea; but it is impossible, all the boats are dragged to land, all the gates of the town are shut, and if the nightly guard should see a boat out at uight, do you not know that we should be subject to an examination ?"-Meimouné was obliged then to wait patiently, and Jahia asked her the reason of the sheick's conduct in murdering his prisoners, and mingling their blood with his wine?

"For these three years that I have lived with him," replied she, "I have witnessed the same conduct. His riches are gained from those he entices to his dwelling; and when he quaffs the blood of his fellow creatures, he then seems tranquil, and falls asleep."

The cock now crowed the first hour of

[ocr errors]

his passage. He followed him, and met
him at the place where he said, as usual,
"Open the door, it is me.'
"-With one
stroke of his sabre he cut off the head of
the slave that accompanied him; and in
the midst of the disorder occasioned by this
action, he fancied he heard the voice of his
faithful Meimouné, saying "If the cadi
should come, how can we persuade him of
our innocence?"-They went, however,
immediately to the prison and set the cap-
tives free, after having given the sheick a
blow that stunned him, while the courage-

morning; Meimouné seized her little casket, and intreated Jahia to follow her; but on their arrival at the sea-side, not finding a boat, they walked along in great anxiety, till they perceived, by a distant light, a man fishing. Jahia conjured him to put to land, but the fisherman was seized with fear to be called at that early hour. Jahia and Meimouné united their supplications, and the man received them on board. Meimouné took a sequin from her casket and gave him, telling him to seem as if he was yet fishing. They soon, however, reached Constantinople, and Jahia took his beauti-ous Meimouné, who had followed Jahia in ful slave to his mother's house. Here they examined the bundles and casket, which they found to contain magnificent apparel and plenty of gold and silver: but Jahia, inspired with gratitude and love for the beautiful Meimouné, desired to make her his bride. Meimouné refused while the crüel sheick was alive." For," said she, " were we at the farthest verge of the earthing on domestic happiness; and if their lot that cruel man would pursue us."

the disguise of a boy, put an end to his iniquitous life.

The lovers then repaired as fast as possible to Constantinople, where they were married; and the valuable casket of Meimouné, with the easy competence of her husband, caused them to pass their days in the enjoyment of every comfort attend

was not splendid or magnificent, they were rich in mutual affection, and they experienced that happy medium which, far removed from indigence, aspires not to the accumulation of immense wealth, and which

Jahia sent for Muhamid, who was astonished at the accusations of his friend ágainst a man he had hitherto regarded as the most holy on the earth, and he refused to do aught against him. Jahia then re-laughs at the unenvied load of pomp and solved to attack the sheick himself: and splendour, which it neither seeks nor desires taking his sabre, he departed for Scutari, to obtain. resolved to await and attack the sheick on

THE LISTENER.

THE FRENZY OF FASHION.
TO TIMOTHY HEARWELL, ESQ.

SIR,-I have, at length, with much difficulty, obtained pen, ink, and paper, and a kind friend has promised to drop this letter in the post. I write to you from B—, in which town is situated a most famous institution for insane persons.

I was sent here under pretence of retirement for the sake of my health: I found the house like one of the palaces of the Genii, and the gardens superb. I was delighted, for a moment, at what appeared to me so splendid, and in the spacious court before the house I practised immediately the last new quadrille movement. But I found myself immediately surrounded by nurses, keepers, and physicians, who soon No. 116.-Vol. XVIII.

explained to me where I was; and therefore you may judge if I did not feel myself the most wretched amongst women.

I have been a long time subjected to the caprices of a tyrannic husband; for ten years he has been preaching up economy to me; and declaring as I am, he says, prodigal to madness, he has sent me here as an incurable. What a pity it is that he never got himself appointed one of the cruel stewards of this institution!

I have ever held in aversion the name eveu of economy: if that was practised there would soon be an end of all elegance of manners; fine laces, sprigs of jewels, Cachemire shawls, private boxes, would all vanish.

But here are little confined cells, no
Ec

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »