ENDSLEIGH COTTAGE.

Where the cowslip bending,
With its golden bells,
Of each glad hour's ending
With a sweet chime tells.

All wild creatures love thee
;

When thou art alone,
Every bird above thee

Sings its softest tone.
Thankful to high Heaven,
Humble in thy joy,
Much to thee is given,

Lowly Shepherd boy.

141

ENDSLEIGH COTTAGE, MILTON-ABBOT.

ENDSLEIGH, formerly called Inneslegh, and lying in the parish of Milton-Abbot, was an ancient possession of the abbots of Tavistock; who, in the reign of Richard the Second, had a park in its immediate vicinity, and to whom it had been granted by the Edgcumbes; the elder branch of which family was established at Edgcumbe, in the same parish, as early as the reign of Henry the Eighth. After the dissolution of monasteries, Endsleigh, with all the other estates of the abbey of Tavistock, was granted to the Russell family, and has regularly descended to the present Duke of Bedford.

Endsleigh is beautifully situated on the river Tamar, about seven miles northwestward from Tavistock. Its capabilities-to employ the quaint, yet expressive phrase of the celebrated landscape-gardener, Brown-first engaged the attention of the Duke of Bedford, in the year 1810; and since that period he has erected there, amidst newly-created gardens and plantations, which considerably augment the natural attractions of this spot, a picturesque cottage, designed by Sir Geoffrey Wyatville, and presenting in its style of architecture much of the taste of the Tudor age.

The grounds belonging to this beautiful residence are entered, from the MiltonAbbot side, by a rustic lodge; and a carriage-road leads through the plantations and lawn to the Cottage; the gabled roofs, tall chimneys, and transom-windows of which, remind the spectator of the irregular family-mansions of past ages. It stands upon a pleasant slope, at the foot of which flows the Tamar, and consists of a series of picturesquely-designed buildings of gray stone, surrounding an interior court.

Here and there, the walls are clothed with graceful and luxuriant shrubs, which are judiciously disposed, and which, in the season of flowers, combine with a little garden in front connected with the terrace, to form a most delicious picture. The principal apartments, which are approached from a commodious hall, are fitted up and furnished with exquisite taste and elegance, the effect being much heightened by numerous large and splendid mirrors. The dining-room is panelled with wainscot, and commands a fine prospect from its emblazoned window. The library contains a well-chosen collection of books; and a single pane of glass, in a small closet adjoining, affords an enchanting view of the richly-wooded landscape to the westward; the beautiful scene being reflected by an opposite mirror.

The grounds abound in sylvan attractions; "wherever the hand of art has been able to impart a grace, without interfering with the harmonies of nature, it has been done." Near the farm-buildings, at the bottom of the lawn, which is skirted by a translucent brook, stands the dairy, an elegant rustic building, with an open porch and gallery. The refreshing coolness of the interior is preserved by a perennial fountain, tinted windows, and a projecting roof; the milk-vessels being of polished Devonshire marble. At the end of the terrace is a grotto, which commands a view of the woods and meadows on the river's bank, and also of a floating bridge, governed by a rope and windlass. The neighbouring woods rise luxuriantly from the water's-edge, and are pierced by ascending walks, one of which, "climbing the ridge in zigzags," conducts to the Swiss Cottage, a picturesque edifice in the midst of a sort of Alpine garden. An exterior staircase and gallery lead to the upper apartments, which are furnished, a la Suisse, with wooden chairs and platters, horn spoons, &c., for the occasional visits of the family; the lower rooms are inhabited by a labourer. From the gallery an extensive prospect is obtained over the neighbouring river, woodlands, and open downs; the landscape being shut in by the distant Tors, or hills, of Cornwall. The home-views along the banks of the Tamar, which river flows through the Duke's property, are exceedingly wild and picturesque. Rocks, woods, abrupt declivities, and the river, where it ceases to be navigable, tumbling and foaming over rude masses of stone, present, especially in the vicinity of the Morwell rocks, some of the finest combinations which a painter could desire, so happily have art and nature combined to render this lovely place perfect in its kind.

The accompanying plate presents a highly characteristic view of the picturesque Cottage of Endsleigh; of the beautiful grounds in its immediate vicinity; and of the surrounding scenery.

THE RETURN FROM CHURCH.

"It was a beautiful May morning, and the bells of St. Mary's were ringing merrily, when a carriage and four, adorned with white favours, drove rapidly down the street, and stopped at the entrance of a respectable mansion, situated at the west end of the town of At the door of this mansion stood footmen and servants,

adorned in a similar manner; while the hall was thronged with brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, all wearing the aspect of joyous welcome, not unmingled with feelings of a deeper and more earnest character."

THE mystic rite is over;

Th' irrevocable vow

Pronounced by maid and lover,

But one the twain are now.

The bells fling forth their gladness;

Warm blessings stir the air;
But there's a shade of sadness
Upon the fairest there.

Though loving and true-hearted,
Thoughts of the past will roll,
Like shades of things departed,
Upon the young bride's soul.

Thoughts of the tender mother

That watch'd her cradled rest;
Whose joy it was to soothe her
Upon her gentle breast.

Ten thousand recollections
Of long-past happy years,
Wakening her soft affections,
Almost gush forth in tears.

Her young life's joyous morning

Seems present to her view;

She sees again its dawning,

She cannot say, Adieu!