SECTION THE SECOND.

Tavistock.

WALKS IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF TAVISTOCK:-CROWNDALE, FITZFORD, &c.

"Those works of art or nature which are usually the motives of our travels, are often overlooked and neglected if they happen to lie within our reach; whether it be that we are naturally indifferent concerning those things which are near us, while our curiosity is excited by remote objects; or because the easiness of gratifying a desire is always sure to damp it, or perhaps, that we defer from time to time viewing, what we know we have an opportunity of seeing whenever we please."

PLINY.

T would be well for our townsfolk to perfect their knowledge of the neighbourhood of Tavistock, and improve their taste for its surrounding beauties by extending their walks beyond the precincts of the town, to wander through scenes, than which no part of our island can present more lovely. I will ask them to leave the dusty streets, with me, and begin their rambles by visiting a very favorite resort ;the Abbey Walks. In quitting the town the remaining portion of our once famous monastery first attracts the attention. One ivy-crowned turret has been devoted to the purpose of literature and science. Two rooms are

F

fitted up with excellent taste, one as the public subscription Library, the other as the Literary Institution of the place; a third was once appropiated to the musuem of a society for local and provincial researches, formed under the superintendence of Dr. Charles Barham, but from the want of funds, and of sufficient encouragement the museum has been suffered to fall into neglect. The Library established forty-three years since by four of its present members* contains a number of standard volumes, the leading journals of the day, and most of the periodicals. The room is ornamented with a few engravings, and the busts of two of its patrons; that of the late Duke of Bedford by Francis, is considered to be extremely well executed.

In the institution room may be remarked, a President's Chair, carved by a native Artist and seats disposed in the amphitheatrical form to accommodate the members who attend once a fortnight usually during the winter evenings, to listen to a number of interesting and improving papers delivered in the form of lectures, affording matter for after discussion both within and without the walls of the lecture room, and presenting one means of helping to exterminate a spirit of intolerance which sometimes is apt to be rife in a little country town. It is gratifying to notice the gradual improvements manifested by the various members of this school for discussion. Young men have ripened their judgment, and even the greyheaded have been taught wisdom by thus coming in contact with their fellows. Many important results have arisen from the apparently trivial occurrence of a lecture. The establishment of the Gas Works in this town in 1832 may be set down as one most useful cousequence of

*The Rev. E. A. Bray, J. Taylor, Esq, Mr. J. Commins, and the Rev. W. Evans.

beneficial measures, suggested in the Institution room; while the liberality of spirit, and generosity of feeling which generally characterize the inhabitants of the place, have certainly been awakened and kept alive by the recurrence of these social meetings. Long may such christian philanthropy shed its brightening influence on our hearts! "God forbid that the feelings of humanity should be confined to this or that mode of faith!" Philanthropy, my friends (says Dean Kirwan,) "is of no particular sect; it is confined by no paltry form of rule; it knows no distinction, but that of the happy or unhappy; it is older than the Gospel, eternal as that great source whence it springs, and often beats higher in the Heathen's heart, than in those of many, who are called Christians; who, though under the influence of the most benevolent of all possible systems, yet not unfrequently refuse both relief and compassion to the petitions of the wretched, and the entreaty of the unhappy. God forbid that any ridiculous prejudice should hinder me from reverencing the man, (however we may differ in speculative notions,) whose gentle spirit flies out to soothe the mourner; whose ear is attentive to the voice of sorrow; whose pittance is shared by those who are not the world's friends; whose bountiful hand scatters food to the hungry, and raiment to the naked, and whose peaceful steps as he journeyeth on his way are blessed, and blessed again by the uplifted eye of thankful indigence, and the sounds of honest gratitude from the lips of wretchedness." Let the extract be forgiven for the sake of the lesson it teaches. Truly can I add

"May ye better reck the rede,

Than ever did the adviser."

We must return to our walk, and observe the old town mills which occupy a portion of the Abbey adjoining the the noble archway which leads to the Library. The mills form an interesting relic, especially from the side

next the water: we can see them from the Abbey bridge and admire their slender turrets, and narrow casements, and rushing mill stream that rivals the clacking wheel in noisy tumult. We can observe too a small green island crowned with fine trees rising above the bed of the river, and beyond it the site of an old bridge known as Guile or East Bridge, which according to tradition was originally constructed by the Monks of Tavistock, when with activity only equalled by their deceit, they bore away the body of Childe of Plymstock which had been found frozen on the moor. Our wily brethren thus outwitted a body of religious from the Priory of Plymstock, who waited for them in another quarter to seize the remains of Childe. The rapacity of the Monks is thus clearly shown for they went these lengths to possess themselves of the Rich Manor of Plymstock which Childe had decreed to "the first that found and brought him to his tombe." Prince informs us that in his day a tomb stone with an inscription to the above effect was to be seen near Crockern Tor on Dartmoor. There is yet another part of the Abbey to be visited. Completely buried at one time in the dark ivy which is now removed to show the graceful spires appears one small turret rendered interesting by its carved oak ceiling and gothic windows; a handsome archway beneath once formed an entrance to the refectory (or dining room) of the Monks. The archway is now used as a dairy in which is deposited the rich clouted cream and delicious milk, made of service in providing entertainment for his guests by mine host of the Hotel. The porch is surmounted by the arms of the Abbey. The refectory was granted by an Earl of Bedford to nonconformists, whose decendants still assemble (as above hinted) to worship in this place. We must leave its venerable precincts to pursue our wanderings by the river's side. Near the Abbey walk an ancient Gateway has been lately taken down, which is