Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Country Rector's Easter Visit To His Rustic Parishioners.
rector ' s ambling nag was again called into requisition after breakfast , to convey me this day to visit my oicn flock , and perform divine service in ¦ my own tabernacle . The road runs two miles up what is called , in Iceal parlance , a bank or steep ridge of hilly land rising up out of an extensive valley , from the p lain of Shrewsbury to the foot of the Welsh mountains to the west . From particular elevations on the banks , the view eastward is expansive and diversified . Beneath in the valethe tranquil
, village of Harley , and its church peeping out above the rectory plantations . On the opposite side of the valley , to the right as you lace about , another high ridge of lime-stone rock , clothed with forest timber , yclept , Wenlock Edge bounds the view in that direction . Beyond , in a direct line , you perceive the hills which contain the mines of Ketley , and that district discerned by the black smoke from the various iron-works . And to the lefta little more prominent in the landscapeis the huge isolated
, , Shropshire mountain , the Wrekin , frowning majestically upon the animated scene below . On the summit of the bank , the worthy host of my curate ' s domicile , and his bustling gude-wife , were waiting to greet their rector , and release me of my four-legged companion . At a stone ' s cast stood my little Welsh church , planted on the brow of the steep ridge looking far away to the rihtalong the open plain up to the very walls of the ancient
g , city of Shrewsbury ; its numerous church spires glittering in the morning sun , though twelve miles off ; and to the left it took a glance up the deep valley , to the base of Mount Caer-doc , on the summit of which the bold Caractacus encamped his rude hordes to resist the further invasion of the disciplined Roman legions , and on which are still visible the
ruins of the conquering Roman ' s fortifications . Before the spectator , standing on the low wall which encircles the churchyard , is spread like a rich carpet under his feet , the rich domains of Sir Edward Smith , a Roman Catholic patrician ; and , if a man of taste , he will stand entranced at the magnificent panorama which bounteous and beauteous Nature here presents to his admiring gaze . Thus my puny church , like a faithful watchman on the ramparts of Sion , holds a very prominent position in
its locality . Indeed , its whitewashed walls make it a very conspicuous object . I have myself discovered its whereabouts from the roof of the Shrewsbury coach ten miles off . It certainly stands among some of the most picturesque scenery in England . I have seen the splendid view from the north terrace of Windsor Castle , and also that from Richmond Hill , and I am prepared to submit to the judgment of any connoisseur in such matters , that the view from the north side of Kenley
church is comparable to either of those far-famed sights . Any Brother who would like to test the fact by ocular demonstration , shall have a hearty welcome on Shropshire fare , and it may not prove a nou-poss , to find a magnum to refresh him after his labours of travelling . But one of the most interesting features to the philanthropist in my rural parish is its rustic parishioners . The character of the people isto what is called a man of the worldmost refreshingly simple and
, , unsophisticated . Their late great proprietor , the Duke of Cleveland , my most beneficent patron , ( the best landlord in England ) , never would suffer a public-house to be opened hi the parish ; and to that wholesome policy I ascribe the healthy moral state of my little flock . His Grace fully carried out the princip le of the Commutation Tithe Act , which was to prevent the clergy and their parishioners coming into collision in money affairs , by paying the tithe-rent charge himself ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Country Rector's Easter Visit To His Rustic Parishioners.
rector ' s ambling nag was again called into requisition after breakfast , to convey me this day to visit my oicn flock , and perform divine service in ¦ my own tabernacle . The road runs two miles up what is called , in Iceal parlance , a bank or steep ridge of hilly land rising up out of an extensive valley , from the p lain of Shrewsbury to the foot of the Welsh mountains to the west . From particular elevations on the banks , the view eastward is expansive and diversified . Beneath in the valethe tranquil
, village of Harley , and its church peeping out above the rectory plantations . On the opposite side of the valley , to the right as you lace about , another high ridge of lime-stone rock , clothed with forest timber , yclept , Wenlock Edge bounds the view in that direction . Beyond , in a direct line , you perceive the hills which contain the mines of Ketley , and that district discerned by the black smoke from the various iron-works . And to the lefta little more prominent in the landscapeis the huge isolated
, , Shropshire mountain , the Wrekin , frowning majestically upon the animated scene below . On the summit of the bank , the worthy host of my curate ' s domicile , and his bustling gude-wife , were waiting to greet their rector , and release me of my four-legged companion . At a stone ' s cast stood my little Welsh church , planted on the brow of the steep ridge looking far away to the rihtalong the open plain up to the very walls of the ancient
g , city of Shrewsbury ; its numerous church spires glittering in the morning sun , though twelve miles off ; and to the left it took a glance up the deep valley , to the base of Mount Caer-doc , on the summit of which the bold Caractacus encamped his rude hordes to resist the further invasion of the disciplined Roman legions , and on which are still visible the
ruins of the conquering Roman ' s fortifications . Before the spectator , standing on the low wall which encircles the churchyard , is spread like a rich carpet under his feet , the rich domains of Sir Edward Smith , a Roman Catholic patrician ; and , if a man of taste , he will stand entranced at the magnificent panorama which bounteous and beauteous Nature here presents to his admiring gaze . Thus my puny church , like a faithful watchman on the ramparts of Sion , holds a very prominent position in
its locality . Indeed , its whitewashed walls make it a very conspicuous object . I have myself discovered its whereabouts from the roof of the Shrewsbury coach ten miles off . It certainly stands among some of the most picturesque scenery in England . I have seen the splendid view from the north terrace of Windsor Castle , and also that from Richmond Hill , and I am prepared to submit to the judgment of any connoisseur in such matters , that the view from the north side of Kenley
church is comparable to either of those far-famed sights . Any Brother who would like to test the fact by ocular demonstration , shall have a hearty welcome on Shropshire fare , and it may not prove a nou-poss , to find a magnum to refresh him after his labours of travelling . But one of the most interesting features to the philanthropist in my rural parish is its rustic parishioners . The character of the people isto what is called a man of the worldmost refreshingly simple and
, , unsophisticated . Their late great proprietor , the Duke of Cleveland , my most beneficent patron , ( the best landlord in England ) , never would suffer a public-house to be opened hi the parish ; and to that wholesome policy I ascribe the healthy moral state of my little flock . His Grace fully carried out the princip le of the Commutation Tithe Act , which was to prevent the clergy and their parishioners coming into collision in money affairs , by paying the tithe-rent charge himself ,