were

1816.) Sketches of a Pedestriun in the Isle of Wight.

9 After an easy sail, wafted by the gen- attire, with his cockade in his hat and tlesc breezes of a cloudless day, we are bis sword by his side. So unusual an rived at Ryde. The Isle of Wight, with appearance in this little chapel, drew its lovely expanse of hill and dale, rising the attention of all present, and probably like a fairy vision from the bosom of the disconcerted the women, who were in ocean, had long formed the sole object dishabille, and wished themselves drest of our contemplation; and we for the sake of the curate, who was the eager to press its inviting shore. But greatest of their beholders.” This reli. the voyager to Ryde, if he arrive at low gious edifice he afterwards describes as water, must not be impatient. Certain a neat little chapel in a field in the ceremonials are necessary to gain a safe ascent of the hill, about a quarter of a and dry footing; submitting to these, we mile from the sea. It is very small, but were admitted, as tree denizens, into this adequate to the number of inhabitants : sanctuary of the polite and gay.

for the parish doth not seem to contain The " enlargeil and still encreasing” above thirty houses. "* extent of Ryde, suiciently evinces the This description of Ryde, at so short a predilection of the fashionable world for distance from the present period, would this spot. It already consists of three appear astonishing, had we not continual streets, and a fourth is attaining with instances of the rapid advance in buildhasty strides the summit of the hill; ing, in a place selected as an occasional while numerous detached residences, residence by the fashionable world. rising from the humble cottage to the or

The situation of Ryde is thus described namented mansion, spread its limits on,

in the work above alluded to: " It is, I either side. Yet in spite of the attrac- think, most delightful, and in the most tions of modern Ryde as a watering, pleasant spot in the whole island. It is place of gay resort, it will be rendered, true, it wants the advantage of that perhaps, of greater interest to those who beautiful river which leads from Newcan attach to inanimate objects " the port to Cowes; but the prospect here mystic worth of mind," from a circum- extending to the sea, and taking in stance anterior to its newly risen splen

Portsınouth, Spithead, and St. Helen's, dor. Ryde was the last spot of English would be more than a recompense for ground visited by Henry Fielding, justly

the loss of the Thames itself, even in the termed the Cervantes of England; whose most delightful part of Berkshire or works will probably live, when the gay Buckinghamshire, though another Denabode of fashion has again become a for ham and another Pope, should unite in saken and neglected spot.

celebrating it. For my own part, I conOppressed hy disease, and journeying fess myseli so entirely fond of a sea prowith rapid steps towards the grave; it spect, tbat I tbink nothing on the land will be recollected that Fielding, as a can equal it; and if it be set off with last hope, sought alleviation of his dis shipping, I desire to borrow no ornament temper in a milder climate. On his from the terra firma. A feet of ships is voyage to Lisbon, the vessel was de- in my opinion the noblest object which tained by contrary winds on the coast of the art of man hath ever produced; and the Isle of Wight; and for several days far beyond the power of those architects Fielding relieved the tedium arising who deal in brick, in stone, or in marfrom the confinement of the ship, by a

ble." + residence at Ryde, then a small and Fielding here probably means the vilobscure village.

lage, supposing that to forin a parish, Fielding's account of Ryde, in the Ryde is, in fact, in the parish of New Church, journal of his voyage to Lisbon, contains a district which at present contains upwards many curious particulars, when com- of two thousand inhabitants. The chapel pared with the present aspect of the at Ryde has been, of late ycars, much enplace. It appears that the best resting,

larged. place for travellers it then contained was pleasant village is situated on a gentle ascent

† To this description Fielding adds: “ This a small ale-bouse, the accommodations from the water, whence it affords that charmin which are described with his charac. ing prospect I have above described. Its teristic humour. The simplicity of man- soil is a gravel, which assisted with its deners and secluded habits of the villagers, clivity preserves it always so dry that immehe illustrates by the following anecdote: diately after the most violent rain a fine lady “ This morning, (July 19, 1754,) our la- may walk without weiting her silken shoes. dies went to church, more I fear from The fertility of the place is apparent from its Curiosity than religion; they were ac- extraordinary verdure, and it is so shaded tended by the captain in a most military with large and flourishing elms that its r?1• NEW MONTHLY Mag.-No. 31.

VOL. VI.

с

nent.

10

Sketches of a Pedestrian in the Isle of Wight. (Aug. 1, In respect to the latter auxiliary of a enjoyed by the neighbouring residence of sea view, Rvde certainly stands pre-emi- Earl Spencer.

For here the noblest display of The great inconvenience experienced shipping controally arrests the eye, and in landing at Ryde at low water bas at gives endless bustle and variety to the lenyth induced the inhabitants to conadjacent sea; while the opposite coasts struct a new wooden pier or staye, to fapresent their enlivening towns in distant cilitate the ingress to the town. This perspective. I cannot, however, admire forms the favourite promenade of the the taste which has fixed on this as a fa- visitors, although still in an unfinished vourite spot, while such a charming state; and is approached from the shore range of coast presents its clustering by a neat pier-louse and gate. But the beauties around. The bill, no longer amusement arising from the arrival of verdant, nor shaded with grateful uin- packets, which holds out a gleam of brage, but formed into streets irregu- pleasure to those who cannot support larly built, has doubtless lost much of its the tedium of life without incessant nonatural beauty. Yet the more elevated velty, is not here so great as at Margate part, distinctively termed Upper Ryde, or Ramsgate. For the shortness of the is still attractive from the extent and passage usually protects the most delicharms of the prospect.

cate constitution from the effect of nauThe usual attendants of fashionable sea, and preserves uninjured by fatigue residents, the dance and the drama, are the most scrupulous attention to cosnot neglected at Ryde. The assembly tume. rooms are in the upper portion of the Having satisfied our curiosity by a due library, a showy building, adorned with examination of Ryde, we resolved to virandahs on the brow of the bill; and a proceed directly for the southern coast, theatre has been recently constructed at or back of the island. On inspecting a short remove from the chapel. This our luggage, consisting of a small porto building is in form an oblong square. manteau and two great coats, it needed The front, which is covered with cement, not much sagncity to discover that these is disgraced by pitiful attempts at orna- would be no very pleasant companions ment. In niches over the doors are two during the sultry weather; and we began miserably executed plaister figures, of to look about for some one more inclined doubtful gender and cognomen. The to carry them. For interior is sufficiently commodious for

“ Who would fardels bear, the audience that usually assembles. To groan and sweat under a weary load,"

Many mansions of a superior character when he could transfer his burthen to have látely encreased the buildings of another, who for a trifling remuneration this favored town. On the west is the would consider himself benefited by the villa of Earl Spencer; a square building exchange ? A porter was

soon proof fair proportions, with a portico over cured ; and we shrewdiy observed ihat the door of entrance. It is seated on an he would serve a double purpose, as at eminence, and commands extensive the same time that he conveyed our views over the opposite coast, with a moveables, be might act as a guide to fine sea view to the east. The windows our footsteps. of this mansion are undesirably small, a Our little party now proceeded in due circumstance that would appear ex• order. The guide had received his intremely injudicious in a prospect house. structions as to the place of our destinaThe attached offices are convenient, and tion, and we followed at a lingering con the adjoining pleasure grounds agreeably templative pace behind. Having conshaded.

tinued for some distance along the beach In the bottom towards the sea is a to the east of Ryre, we turned suddenly house of the Marquis of Buckingham, to the right and ascended a bill, at the pleasantly situated amid a lawn and summit of which stands St. John's, the flower garden; but from want of eleva. agreeable residence of Edward Simeon, tion precluded from the joland views esq. This mansion commands, through row lanes are a natural grove or walk, which

different vistas, delightful views over the

The home domain is in the regularity of its plantation vies with surrounding sea. the power of art, and in its wanton exube- finely embowered, and the adjoining rancy greatly exceeds it." I am the more grounds laid out by Repton exiuibit a induced to give these extracts, as this work pleasing specimen of picturesque garden has experienced a fate unusual with the pro. scenery. The house is plain but commoductions of its celebrated author-thai of dious, and the neighbourhood is famed being little known.

for abundance of ganie. Thus possess

1816.) Sketches of a Pedestrian in the Isle of Wight.

11 ing the charms of the country, joined to be surveyed at high water, as the haven the convenicnce of its adjacency to Ryde, otherwise deforins the harmony of the it would appear to be a situation of a

prospect. Several attempts have been very desirable nature. For assuredly, made to gain this portion of overflowed man is too social a creature to be con- land from its invader, but without success. lented with entire solitude, and an occa. Ascending Brading Hill, the sea opens sional mixture with the world, encreases on the eye, and the inland view stretches bis zest for retirement,

Wise men

over a wide extent of pleasing scenery. should, therefore, according to the beau. Now the road descends into the bosom tiful simile of Pope,“ be like gentle of a valley, and then mounts in pleasing streams, that not only glide through variety a lofty eininence. The sun was lovely valleys and forests amidst the rapidly sinking in the west, but the day fiucks and the shepherds, but visit popu. at this lovely season rather assumes a lous towns in their course, and are at softer and more alluring tint, than yields once of ornament aud service to them." to the shades of night. Scarcely had the

From St. John's our path lay through retracted rays of the declining orb ceased lanes agreeably shaded, and presenting to giid the adjacent bills, when the an undulating course of alternate bill and moon floated in tranquil majesty amidst sale; the view bounded on the one side a cloudless sky. hy Ashey Down with its far seen sea- The motionless supineness of the scene mark, a triangular pyramid surveyed by was of a mest interesting nature, while many an anxious eye in the distant the surrounding objects, lengthened into ocean. The high ridge of Bembridge a thousand shadowy shapes, imparted a Dowlis confines the sight in another di- pensive melancholy to the soft whispers rection; while a fine expanse of richly of the evening. A sublimer spectacle cultivated country, smiling with wood- awaited us, when aseending a neighbourland, and studded with numerous flocks, ing eminence the sparkling bosom of the stretches between.

ocean, skirted by the beautiful bay of On attaining an eminence, the deep Sandown, burst in full majesty on the indent of Brading Haven and the ocean eye. The effect was at once grand and in which it terminates, became visible to impressive. But it was a grandeur of the our sight; and we shortly reached the softest and most inviting aspect. Scarcely little town from which the haven receives a breeze disturbed the tranquillity of its its name. Here we resolved to halt and waters, which were slightly ruffled by a refresh ourselves after the fatigue of our few fishermen's barks, returning from the ramble. I have ever been of opinion, fatigues of the day. The happy labourwith Izaak Walton of famous memory, ers were singing gaily as they toiled toand honest John Buckle, that a very wards the shore--that shore which conessential part of a traveller's pleasure tained perhaps their only treasures-an consists in the fare he meets with on the expecting wife, and the smiling fruits of road. A day spent in the delights of a their mutual affection. Happy state of pedestrian stroll is certainly concluded contented poverty !--n

!--no siglings after very agreeably by comfortable quarters wealth, no cravings of ambition, disturb in the evening. We halted at Brading, the tranquillity of your well-earned however, through ignorance, and I would slumbers. The day's toils and the day's not advise the future traveller on this reward, an evening of welcome and of road to expect even tolerable accommo- frugal plenty, bound your circumscribed dation here. Fortunately for us, the views. Alas! how limited are the widest sun bad not proceeded alarmingly far on views of man! the decline, and we were still vigorous We were charmed with the surroundfor a continuation of our walk.

ing scenery, and rashly vowed to proceed Brading is a small place of a rustic no farther that night. On enquiring at character, consisting of one street. It is, the inn we were soon induced to alter however, a corporate town, governed by our resolution, for we found that the two bailiffs, a recorder, and thirteen officers on duty at the adjacent fort enjurats, and has a considerable weekly grossed the whole accoininodation of the market for curn. The church is said to place. Without considering it imperabe the oldest in the island, and is a struc- tive to obtain absolution from our vow, ture of somewhat ample dimensions with we yielded to necessity and continued a square tower of cliff-stone, surniounted our course. by a spire. From the more elevated Sandown Bay is one of the finest of parts of the town there is a fine view those many recesses that adorn this inover the harbour and sea; which should dented coast, extending from Dun-ncs

12 Mr. Taylor on the Notions of the Platonists respecting Prayer. (Aug. 1,

on the south-west, to the white cliffs of ters expressed astonishment at the vastCulver on the cast. The fort here is the ness of the project, and the gocd woman most regular fortification on the island, confessed that she would be the first of and is well-manned and placed in a de- the family who had visited the great mefensive attitude. Here are also consider- tropolis; while a smiling Hebe of a grandable barracks. Near these stands San- daugbier seemed rapt in the contempladown Cottage, once a favorite retreat of tion of so gigantic a design. that shining star in the political horizon, To leave the confines of this her little the late celebrated John Wilkes, esq. palace, appeared the deepest wound that

The lovely a pect of the country, sil- fortune had yet inflicted. It was here vered over by the mild lustre of the lamp she bad passed her youthful days. llere of night, left us little to regret in our ber children were born). In this house compulsory ramble; and we arrived she had trained them to habits of induswithout fatigue at the littie village of try and virtue ; and from hence she had Sbanklin.

spread them over the surface of the little We had scarcely contemplated the island, each with a husband and propossibility of a second disappointment in tector to guide her steps. A tear glisquarters; and advanced with the cons tened in the eyes of her family as she fidence of expected guests to the Crab related her peculiar griefs. inn, or rather ale-house, the bunible May thy last glimmer of life shed a resting-place of this secluded hainlet. peaceful and contented ray, exemplary We were not a little chagrined to find inatron! And may the filial piety that that bere also we had been anticipated now distinguishes thy amiable daughters by more fortunate inmatts.

What was

be repaid by the smooth pillow spread to be done? It was growing late, and for them in their decline of life by the several miles intervened before another hands of their instructed offspring! house occurred. Even there we inight How infinitely preferable is one pure be placed in a similar situation. We feeling flowing warm from the heart, one preserveil, however, our good huinour on genuine spark of nature to all the refinethe occasion, and proposed to rest here ment of science or the glitter of sentiment. awbile and consult on the measure to be The temporary couch spread by the adopted. The spirit of good humour fanily of the worthy Mís. Pope appeared and accommodation to circumstances a bed of softest down); for it was formed ever begets a correspondent feeling in with smiles of complacence and alacrity, others. After repeated whispers anony and hallowed by the benedictions of inthe little circle asseinbled, our kinsi nocence and virtue. hostess announced her determination to

(To be continued.) Torge us in some attainable way, The night had become chill, and we

THE PLATONISTS drew with pleasure towards the lighted faggot that blazed on the bearth and re- (Continued from Vol. 1'. p. 405.) flected its beams on the honest faces MR. EDITOR, around. We soon discovered the cause I send you a continuation of the ad. of this unusual assemblage at the recluse mirable observations of Proclus concernlittle inn. The worthy woman, oppressed ing praver, which are as follow :~"And by age, was about to quit the scene of this, indeed, is the best end of prayer, her active years; and had once more ga- tlie conjunction of the soul's conversion thered round her the scattered members with its permanency; establishing in of her family, to recall the occurrences unity whaiever proceeds from the divine of past days on the spot where they had unities, and surrounding our light with happened.

the light of the Gods. Prayer, there. We listened to her little tale of trou- fore, is of no small assistance to our souls bles; for Heaven, impartial in its distri- in ascending to their native region. Nor bution of joys and cares, had sent her is he who possesses virtue superior to the share of sorrow even into this remote want of that good which proceeds from corner. Widowed in her age, she had prayer, but the very contrary takes place; also lost her sight; and unable longer to since prayer is not only the cause of our bustle on the stage of life, was about to ascent and return, but with it is connectseek an asylum in the family of one of ed piety to the Gods, that is, the very those amiable daughters who now formed summit of virtue. Nor, indeed, ought the little circle. Her friends, indeed, any other to pray than he who excels in she said, advised her to seek reliet froin goodness, as the Athenian guest in Plato medical advice in London. Her daugh- admonishes us; for to such a one, while

ON THE

NOTIONS OF
RESPECTING PRAYER.

1816.) Mr. Taylor on the Notions of the Platonists respecting Prayer. 13 enjoying by the exercise of prayer, sami- themselves. But that so far as they are liarity with the Gods, an efficacious and perfective, they are the immaculate goods easy way is prepared for the enjoyment of the soul, from the reception of whicis, of a blessed life. But the contrary fol- souls are established in the Gods. And lows to the vicious; since it is not law- again, that so far as they are paradigmaful for purity to be touched by impu- tical, they are the primary fabricating rity,

causes of beings : proceeding from the “It is necessary, therefore, that he good, and conjoined with it by an ineffawho generously enters on the exercise of ble union. But that so far as they are prayer, should render the Gods propiti- formul, or possess the analogy of fornis, 04!, to him, and should excite in himself they render souls similar to the Gods, divine conceptions, full of intellectual and give perfection to the whole life of light. For the favour and benignity of the soul, Lastly, so far as they are more exelied beings is the most effec- material, or are analogous to matter, tual incentive to their communication they are the marks or symbols conferred with our nature. And it is requisite, by the Demiurgus on the essences of without intermission to dwell in the souls, that they may be wakened to a venerati va of divinity: for, according to reminiscence of the Gods, who produced the poet, the Gods are accustomed to be both thein and whatever else exists. present with the mortal constantly em- “We may also describe the modes of ployed in prayer. It is likewise neces- prayer, which are various, according to sary to preserve a stable order of divine the genera and species of the Gods. For works, and to produce those virtues of prayers, some are operative, others of whiclı purify the soul from the stains of a purifying pature, and others, lastly, generation, (i.e. the sublunary region), are vivific. I call those operative, which and elevate her to the regions of intel- are offered for the sake of showers and lect, together with faith, truth, and love; winds. For the fabricative Gods are to preserve this triad, and hope of good, also the causes of these ; on which acthis iminutable perception of divine count, it is customary with the Athelight, and segregation from every other nians to pray to such divinities, for the pursuit, that thus solitary, and free from sake of obtaining winds which procure material concerns, we may become uni- serenity of weather. But I call those ted to the solitary unities of the Gods; prayers of a purifying nature, which are since be who attempts by multitude to instituted for the purpose of averling disunite himself with unity, acts preposter- eases, originating from pestilence, and ously, and dissociates himself from divi- other contagious distempers, such as are nity. For as it is not lawful for any one

written in our temples. And lastly, to conjoin himself by that which is not those prayers are vivific, with which we with that which is, so neither is it possi- venerate the Gods, who are the causes ble with multitude to be conjoined with of vivification, on account of the origin unity. Suchs, then, are the consequences and maturity of fruits. Hence it is that primarily appareni in prayer, viz. that prayers are of a perfective nature, beitx essence is the cause of associating cause they elevate us to these divine orour souls with the Gods; and that, on ders; and those who consider such praythis account, it unites and copulates all ers in a different manner, do not properly inferior with all superior beings. For apprebend in what their nature and effias the great Theodorus* says, all things cacy consists. But again, with respect pray ercept the FIRST.

to the things for which we pray: those But the perfection of prayer, begin- which regard the safety of the soul obtain ning from more common goods, ends in the first place; those which pertain to divine conjunction, and gradually accus- the proper disposition and strength of the toms the soul to divine light. And its body, the second; and those claim the efficacious and vigorous energy, both re

third place which pertain to external plenishes us with good, and causes our

And lastly, with respect to concerns to be common with those of the the distribution of the times in which we Gods. We may also rationally suppose offer up prayers, it is either according to that the causes of prayer, so far as they the seasons of the year, or the centers of are effective, are the vigorous and effica- the solar revolution ; or we establisha cious powers of the Gods, converting and multiform prayers acording to other calling upwards the soul to the Gods such-like conceptions.”

With the above admirable extract, Theodorus Asinæus, a disciple of Por- the following, from lamblichus de Myst. pbyry.

sect. 1, cap. 12, may be very properly

concerns.