THE

STRANGER IN FRANCE.

CHAPTER I.

Torr Abbey.-Cap of Liberty.-Anecdote of English Prejudice.-Fire Ships.-Southampton River.-Netley Abbey.

It was

T was a circumstance which will be memorable with me as long as I live, and pleasant to my feelings as often as I recur to it, that part of my intended excursion to the Continent was performed in the last ship of war, which, after the formal confirmations of the peace, remained of that vast naval armament, which, from the heights of Torbay, for so many years presented to the astonished and admiring eye a spectacle at once of picturesque beauty, and national glory. It was the last attendant in the train of retiring war.

Under the charming roof of Torr Abbey, the residence of George Cary, esq. I passed I passed a few

days, until the Megæra was ready to sail for Portsmouth, to be paid off, the commander of which, captain Newhouse, very politely offered to convey my companion, captain W. Cary, and myself, to that port.

In this beautiful spot, the gallant heroes of our navy have often found the severe and perilous duties of the boisterous element alleviated by attentions, which, in their splendid and cordial display, united an elegant taste to a noble spirit of hospitality.

In the Harleian Tracts there is a short, but rather curious account preserved of the sensation produced at the Abbey on the 5th of November, 1688, after the prince of Orange had entered the bay with his fleet, on their passage to Brixham, where he landed :

"The prince commanded captain M― to "search the lady Cary's house, at Torr Abbey, "for arms and horses. The lady entertaining " them civilly, said her husband was gone to Ply"mouth: they brought from thence some horses, "and a few arms, but gave no further disturbance "to the lady or her house."