And not one drop returns again, To cool the thirsty earth with rain. And must all Earth th' impartial ruin share? Let me for Wicham's peaceful walls intreat. An hasty angel snatch'd away, And bore them high, through parted flames, Behold, fond soul, all thou didst once admire, Those little things, that make men GREAT, Those empty trifles are no more, But vanish all in smoke, scarce lighter than before! Was it for this the statesman rack'd his thought, Was it for this the soldier fought, While grumbling drums like thunder beat, I burn-my soul is all on flame, Lest I pursue the noble theme too long, Now NATURE is unstrung, AN EVENING HYMN. Now that the Sun hath veil'd his light, Great God! even in thy arms; and can there be Then to thy Rest, my soul, and sing in praise Martha Rastrick. The REFORMATION of Luther, though it left many evils untouched, is shown by MR. RICHARDs to be conducive to knowledge, virtue, and piety. The REVOLUTION of 1688, is elucidated by pertinent remarks, as an epoch of inestimable value to this country. Highly entertaining is his account of the Royal touch for the cure of the evil; a ceremony practised with solemnity by the Stuart family, even down to Queen Anne of high church celebrity. The monarchs of the Brunswick family have had the good sense to abandon it. The account of considerable length, is thus concluded, "It must be rather mortifying to our national vanity and pride, to think that our DEAR ANCESTORS, for seven hundred years, firmly believed in the miraculous efficacy of the royal touch, in scrofulous complaints. But while we reprobate or pity their stupid and miserable credulity, in this and other instances, let us not forget that we ourselves are not without our errors and failings, and those no less inexcusable and degrading; witness our general belief in witchcraft, conjuration, prodigies, and newspapers, together with the unshaken faith of multitudes in Richard Brothers, Joanna Southcote, and many other notorious impostors of different descriptions, and it may be justly questioned if there ever was a period when the inhabitants of this country have been more inexcusably credulous, more easily and egregiously imposed upon, or more generally and universally duped than in this very age! But we will here conclude this long section, hoping that its contents will not fail to contribute at least, in some measure, to the amusement or satisfaction of the inquisitive and candid reader, especially if he ever wished to learn the history of THE ROYAL TOUCH, of which he will find here perhaps a more particular and circumstantial account than in any other publication." To the Merchant and to inquisitive readers of every description, the account of the Guilds, or Companies of Trade, as well as of the ancient Monasteries, or Religious Houses, must constitute an instructive and amusing portion of the work. MR. RICHARDS gives an interesting account of the Churches at Lynn, of which ST. MARGARET is still one of the largest and finest parish churches in the kingdom. It has two large square towers not unlike Westminster Abbey. The account furnished by Mr. Richards being brief, shall be presented to the reader; from which it may be seen how well the other Churches have been pourtrayed : Brief account of the Churches and Chapels. "In an account of the Churches of Lynn, the first place, no doubt, is due to that of ST. MARGARET, which was founded about the close of the eleventh, or commencement of the twelfth century, by Herbert de Lozinga, bishop of Norwich; memorable for his simoniacal offences, and subsequent architectural expiations. Among the latter were the cathedral and episcopal palace at Norwich, the great church of St. Nicholas at Yarmouth, and this of St. Margaret at Lynn. The latter, according to a certain ancient deed or register, was built by him at the request of the men of the town of Lynn. But if that was the case, it seems their contributions proved by no means adequate to the magnitude or exigences of the undertaking; for the work, it seems went but slowly and heavily on, till he had recourse to that notable and wonderful expedient of offering forty days pardon, or an indulgence for that time in all manner of licentious or vicious courses, to all who would contribute to wards the completion of the sacred edifice. The work then went on prosperously, was soon finished in a magnificent style, and the indulgence effected what an appeal to the most pious considerations would probably have failed to accomplish. Herbert dedicated this edifice to St. Margaret the virgin, or, as some say, to saint Mary Magdalen, St. Margaret and all the virgin saints; which probably made Mr. Britton, in the Beauties of England, call it St. Mary's church, a name which does not appear to have been given to it by any body else. This church has been so often re-edified and repaired since its first erection, that but a small part of it, as it now stands, is supposed to be as old as the days of Lozinga. If there be any, it seems to be towards the west, or south-west end, where the style of architecture appears to bespeak much higher antiquity than any other part, according to the opinion of the best judges. "The church in its original state is supposed to have been of greater dimensions, as well as more magnificent, than it is at present; and it was certainly the case in later ages, and until the last century, when the spire fell on the body of the church and demolished a great part of it. This happened in 1741. Soon after the eastern tower or lanthorn was taken down, from a fear (groundless it seems) that it might also fall, as the spire had done, and occasion irreparable damage. It was therefore done to preserve the eastern part of the church. The west end being demolished by |