chard, immediately adjoining it on the west. Embankments of some extent, running on the north and east sides, as well as the occurrence of some huge stumps whitened with age, ascertain this orchard to have been of great antiquity, and of no inconsiderable extent. In traversing it I was surprised by meeting amongst some scattered oaks of modern growth, three aged pear trees, one of unusual size, and still flourishing in a green old age. Leaning against its aged stem, I, in imagination pictured the many seasons that had rolled over its head,-the many generations that had passed away,—the many scenes that had occurred within its ken,—the many events which, endowed with the faculty of speech, it could reveal,

A splintered stump, bleached to a snowy white,
And some memorial none, where once they grew ;
Yet still the genial spring

Finds thee not less alive to her sweet force,

Than yonder upstarts of the neighbouring wood,
So much thy juniors.---

Survivor sole, or nearly such, of all

That once lived here, oh! could'st thou speak,

As in Dodona once thy kindred trees

Oracular, I would not curious ask

The future, best unknown, but at thy mouth,

Inquisitive, the less ambiguous past!

By thee I might correct, (erroneous oft,)

The clock of history, facts and events
Timing more punctual, unrecorded facts

Recovering, and mistated setting right ;---
Desp'rate attempt, till trees shall speak again!
But since, although well qualified by age
To teach, no spirit dwells in thee, nor voice
May be expected from thee; seated here
On thy distorted root, with hearer none,
Or prompter, save the scene, I will perform
Myself the oracle, and will discourse
In mine own ear, such matter as I may.

Cowper's Yardley Oak.

Not far from the site of the old mansion are the remains of a neat chapel, the roof of which is tolerably perfect, and the windows, on the south and east, in good preservation, and remarkable for their beauty and tasteful execution. In the interior a part of the underdrawing remains as a vestige of fading beauty;—but the pulpit and seats have been long removed, and in consequence the old custom of the rector of Oswaldkirk, preaching here once a year (according to the bequest of Lady Chomley,) has been discontinued, and a sermon at the parish church substituted in its stead. The floor has been composed of black and white flags arranged alternately, and forming lines in a diamond pattern, which have contributed much to the appearance of the chapel. The space within the altar rails has been raised some feet above the level of the floor, for the purpose of forming a family vault, which is entered by a door and steps from the body of the chapel. This vault was explored about 5 years ago, and there were then discovered 5 leaden coffins, of the Chomley family; which, under the direction of

Sir William Strickland, their relative, were in consequence of the ruinous state of the chapel, removed, and for greater security deposited in the parish church yard of Oswaldkirk; at the eastern extremity of the church. A peculiarly neat saxon arch at the western end, forms the entrance to the chapel; which, closed as it yet is by an old massy oaken door, is preserved from the fear of desecr1tion, or the unhallowed footstep to which it might otherwise be exposed in a large open pasture. Near this entrance, even the most careless observer must be struck by the singular appearance of a vigorous young ash, of about 15 or 20 years growth, springing from the very foundation of the wall;-but which to the philosophic eye affords matter for deeper and more serious contemplation, destined as it is to spread its youthful honours over the mouldering pile

Ev'n now the devastation is begun,

And half the business of destruction done;

Ev'n now methinks, as pondering here I stand,

I see thine antique arches strew the land.
Vain transitory splendours! could not all
Reprieve the tottering ruin from its fall!
Obscure it sinks, nor shall it more impart
An hour's instruction to the poor man's heart.
Thither no more the peasant shall repair,
To sweet oblivion of his weekly care.
Amids't thy desert aisles the lapwing flies,
And tires their echoes with unvary'd cries.
Sunk are thy towers in shapeless ruin all;
And the long grass o'ertops the mouldering wall.
GOLDSMITH'S DESERTED VILLAGE.

It appears to have been a private chapel attached to the family mansion; of which there are several instances in the district, as at Nunnington, Sinning. ton, Helmsley, and Wath; and Lady Chomley's object in directing an annual sermon to be preached there, was probably with a view of preserving for a longer period the family cemetery. It must long ago have become a mass of ruins, had it not been repaired in 1765, at the expence of Mr. Duncombe, whose family are the present proprietors of the estate. This protracted its usefulness as a place of worship up to the year 1820: but time, the leveller of mightier ones, seems to have sealed its fate; and is about to baffle all the efforts of human skill.

The rottenness, which time is charg'd to inflict
On other mighty ones, finds also thee.

COWPER.

Ampleforth College. In Oswaldkirk quarter in this parish, is situated the Roman Catholic College of Ampleforth, established by the members of the College of Dieulouard, near Pont a Mousson, in Lorraine; their property there being confiscated by the fatal revolution in France. The Hon. Mrs. Ann Fairfax, of Gilling, herself a catholic, contributed very considerably to the erection of the college at Ampleforth, and at her death, about the year 1798, left the sum of £10,000 to the Rev. John Bolton, who devoted it to the enlargement and endowment of this college. The building has since been considerably enlarged; but in consequence of

G g

these additions having been made at different periods, it does not present any uniform or well connected plan; though the front is handsome. The college is governed by a superior, who, according to the regulations of the college, is removed every four years, and six assistant teachers, who instruct the young gentlemen, whose average number may be about 40, in the Classics, Mathematics, and other branches of a liberal education.

The present superior is the Rev. Thomas Burgess; of whom report speaks favourably, as well as the general superintendance and management of the college, and the classical attainments of the pupils.

In March, 1808, the Rev. Robert Nixon, B. D. F. A. s. presented a drawing of an urn, to the Antiquarian Society, found in a barrow here, formed by a circle of large stones, about ten feet in diameter; the urn was at the depth of between three and four feet, near the centre of the barrow.

Archæologia.

SLINGSBY.

Slingsby, in the wapentake of Ryedale, 7 miles

* At the conquest, Slingsby formed a part of the im mense possessions assigned to the Earl of Morton, by William the Conqueror. In the Domesday survey it is thus mentioned :

"In Selungesbi (Slingsby,) fourteen carucates of land "to be taxed. Land to seven ploughs. Two Thanes "held this for two manors. There is a priest there at "present, with eighteen villanes having ten ploughs, and "twenty acres of meadow. It has been valued at seven"ty shillings, now thirty shillings."

Bawdwen's Domesday. I. p. 73.