mit, which is 330 feet above the station | nature. The viaduct, which cost 10,000l., at Euston-square. is 312 feet in length, and fifty in height. It is erected of brick, with stone cornices, and rests on platforms of wood, which are fixed in the soft clay of which the valley is composed. The great Watford embankment now "upbears" the passing train, which it was found necessary to erect in consequence of the opposition naturally made by the earl of Essex to the line proceeding through his park. A mile distant from Bushey another viaduct of five arches is traversed, the battlements of the bridge being forty feet above the level of the river, the Colne having flowed for some distance on the left, parallel with the railway. Owing to the want of stability in the soil of which the valley is composed, many slips of the embankment have occurred, and much ingenuity and labour have been required to counteract the evil. Passing over two other bridges which form field communications, and one which forms the road from Watford to St. Albans, the station is entered, which is nearly eighteen miles from London. The present season of the year, and the resources of the neighbouring landscape, render this a very delightful spot. The beauties of "young verdurous June” never fail to excite the admiration of the lover of nature. On gaining the embankment just referred to, an extensive view of the surrounding country is enjoyed. Moor Park is situated two miles to the west, and the mansion is one of the most handsome in the country. The portico is capacious," the doorways are of marble, and beneath an adjacent gallery are some elegant illustrations of Ovid's story of Io and Argus, while the principal staircase and several of the rooms are profusely decorated. The house is surrounded by a park five miles in circumference, and has, at various periods, been occupied by men distinguished in the annals of England's history. The villages of Watford Heath and Sherrard Wood are now to the right, and in immediate proximity to the line. The train then enters another cutting, from which nearly half a million cubic yards of earth were taken, and passes beneath Watford Heath bridge, which has three arches, and is a massive brick structure, the top of the battlements being from thirty-five feet above the line. Bushey station is sixteen miles from the metropolis, and the pedestrian who is going to the town of Watford may alight here, as he will not gain much by proceeding to the next. It is well, however, to observe, that few trains stop at this station; and if he wishes to do so, he must make special reference to his "time table." The view from hence is extensive, embracing Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court, Windsor, and the Thames, winding through the most beautiful parts of Middlesex and Surrey. For those whose time precludes their visiting this spot, the tower of the church at the village may be recommended. Rickmansworth may also be descried from hence, while to the north St. Albans Abbey will be clearly seen. On the southeast is the village of Clay, and on the north-west is Watford, and a considerable portion of the embankments of the railway may be observed. On reaching Bushey, the train enters on an elevated embankment, in some parts more than forty feet above the surrounding fields. Nearly a million cubic yards of earth were required in its formation, and it is a mile and a half in length. About fifty yards from its commencement the line crosses the London road, on a viaduct of five arches, the view from which is exceedingly attractive, and furnishes great delight and satisfaction to the lover of "When leaves are loveliest, and young fruits and Fear not the frost of May's uncertain hours; Here, then, let the tourist enjoy all in such a scene that tends to delight and elevate the mind; for the poet has truly said: ""T is wise to let the touch of Nature thrill Through the full heart; 't is wise to take your Adjoining Watford on the west is Cashiobury, or as it is sometimes spelt, Cassiobury Park, the seat of the earl of Essex, who is lord of the manor. Leaving the station, the pedestrian passes over the bridge which crosses the railway, and pursues his route along a delightful road, the breadth and handsome appearance of which is sufficiently in as From the vestibule the dining-room is entered on the right, and here the visitor may commence his examination of some of those treasures of art for which Cashiobury is distinguished. This is a lofty and commodious apartment, and commands a fine view of the rising grounds of the park. In this room is a portrait of the earl of Northumberland, by Vandyke, and there are some beautiful carvings by Gibbons, in which the pictures are set, and which, like all the works of that artist, are exceedingly natural and graceful. In an adjoining apartment are some historical curiosities deserving examination. The ante-room, which is entered from the dining-room, contains some paintings by sir Peter Lely, and some exquisitely painted miniatures, chiefly copies of well-known works by the countess of Essex. The ceiling is painted by Verrio, the subject being "Minerva and the Arts and Sciences." This room opens into a very beautiful conservatory, which stretches along the front of the house, while the doors and windows of this apartment and of the ante-room, drawing-room, and library, opening into it, have a delightful effect, one side of each appearing like a garden of the choicest flowers. In the drawing-room are some paintings by Lely, a view of Rotterdam by Callcot, and three productions of Turner. viting, while the rich foliage of the trees in which it is in some parts almost embosomed, presents irresistible attractions to those who have been accustomed to the bustle and noise of the metropolis. The tourist soon arrives at a road turning to the right and left, which is the main street of Watford; and traversing this, and proceeding some little distance forward, the lodge of the park appears. The antique appearance of this little edifice, with its mullioned windows half overgrown with ivy, its square battlemented tower pierced with narrow slit-holes, and the roses clustering around, are pleasing in themselves and in the historic associations which fail not to arise, in the contrast of the security of the age in which we live compared with that with which the architectural form of the building would imply its connexion. The park now appears, and the noble trees invite the visitor to seek their shelter while he observes the beauties of the scenery. The grounds are about four miles in circumference, and were disposed to great effect by the celebrated Le Notre, in the time of Charles II. The Grand Junction Canal adds to the diversity of the scene, it wends its course through the grounds. A glimpse of the turrets of the mansion is obtained through the trees as the footpath, which runs to the right of the carriage-road, approaches a thick shrubbery around which it winds. The whole building is now seen, in all the The library, a long and handsome beauty of Gothic architecture mingled room, contains an original Morland, and with the ecclesiastical and castellated an exquisite effort of a modern artist, styles. The entrance vestibule is light which imparts to miniature painting and airy, with an evident "expression" much of the force, roundness, and effect of the antique; while a notice affixed to of carved ivory. There are also portraits the wall informs the visitor that the by sir J. Reynolds, Lely, and Vandyke, public have permission to view the house, and many other pictorial treasures, to gardens, park, and Swiss cottage on which we cannot here attempt to do Mondays and Thursdays, from the hours justice. The inner library contains the of eleven to five. The liberality of the less handsome books piled on the shelves, owner of Cashiobury has indeed gone so among which long rows of parliamentary far as to allow strangers to form pic-nic blue books are conspicuous; and the parties on the grounds, for by obtaining walls are adorned with several pictures an order from the earl, or from the of the Bedford family, to whom the anhousekeeper, they may bring refresh-cestors of the noble earl were allied, ments with them, and spend the entire from lord William to the present lord day in the enjoyment of the beauties of a John Russell. The oak-room, so desigspot which has cost the successive owners nated from a handsome oaken screen by vast sums of money to perfect, and re- which it is traversed at one end, contains quires a great expenditure of labour and several paintings of value; while the money to preserve. The late earl is said large portrait of lord Abergavenny, in to have been so far desirous of gratifying an ornamental carved frame-work by the public as to furnish them with crock-Gibbons, has been styled "truly magniery; but whether this courtesy is still ficent," and it has been affirmed by a writer of discrimination, that "but for extended we have not learned. the colour, you would fancy you could pluck and taste some of those great pears or tempting bunches of grapes, and make yourself a nosegay from the roses and other flowers which run over the whole so luxuriantly." Her ladyship's boudoir is exceedingly beautiful, and combines all that wealth and luxury can suggest in the preparation of such an apartment. Ascending the staircase, at the foot of which hangs a Chinese gong, the state bed-room is entered, the walls of which are lined with Gobelin tapestry. The cloister is decorated with richly stained glass windows, and the ends and the wall facing the windows have some interesting works. At the further extremity is a very old painting, the only original portrait extant of Henry iv. At the top of the frame are the words, "Henricus Iv.," and beneath is the following inscription: "Henry the IV., king of England, who lay'd the first stone of this house, and left this picture in it when he gave it to Lentall, who sold it to Cornwall of Burford, who sold it to the ancestors of the lord Coningesby, in the reign of Henry VI." When or how this picture was removed from its former position to the place in which it is stated to have been left by the king, does not appear. It is in an admirable state of preservation, the colours seeming almost as rich as when they were first laid on. There is a portrait of sir Thomas Coningsby, who appears to have been of great height, to increase the effect of which he is attended by a dwarf servant, whose head reaches but little above his master's knee. Sir Thomas had one leg shorter than the other, and it is stated that in order to avoid inconvenience from this deformity, a favourite dog was trained to be always in attendance, on which the baronet rested his foot when he stopped! The painting accordingly represents a spaniel, which is thus performing the duty of a living footstool, and seems well pleased with the distinction conferred on him. A beautiful suit of armour is suspended in the cloister, which belonged to the duke of Bejar, whose ancestor is said to have severed the chain which defended a Moorish camp in one of the Saracenic campaigns with this sword. Inhaling the breezes which welcome the visitor on the lawn, the river Gade is observed meandering along: * Of Hampton Court, Herefordshire, But we shall not do justice to such of our readers as may accept us as a guide to this delightful spot, unless we conduct them to the flower-gardens. The notification at the gate directs the visitor to ring the bell if he desires admittance, when the gardener will soon appear, and seven acres of pleasure-gardens then invite his attention and elicit his admiration. The portion which is especially dedicated to lady Essex contains the choicest flowers, and presents a rare assemblage of beauty, breathing delightful odours. After wandering through apparently interminable grounds, each portion of which has its peculiar attractions, and winding along the low green alleys, a descent invites the steps, beyond which stretches what is called the emperor dell. Here are two of the cannonballs of granite, the larger weighing upwards of seven hundred weightthough the calibre of the guns in a firstrate line of battle ship very seldom exceeds thirty-two pounds-which were fired from the castle of Abydos, on the Asiatic side of the Straits of Dardanelles into the "Endymion" frigate, during the passage of the squadron in 1807, under sir John Duckworth. By one of these no fewer than fifteen men were killed or wounded, and when the captain looked over the frigate's side to see the extent of the injury that had been received, he observed the head and shoulders of a seaman, who had looked out through the immense orifice which was thus made; and we are informed that had there been much wind to have made the vessel heel over, she must assuredly have sunk, so destructive had been the fire of these shot. One garden contains a fishpond, over which a willow grows which was taken as a cutting from the one which hung over the tomb of Napoleon, at St. Helena. The Swiss cottage deserves special attention, and the kindness of the noble earl merits the best acknowledgment of all who have been permitted to enjoy the beauties of Cashiobury, and the facilities which are afforded for rational and hearty enjoyment. The cottage stands in a sequestered dell, where "the rushing sound of waters alone disturbs the deep solitude." It is no mere plaything, but a correct and genuine representation of the buildings of that interesting land, and inhabited by one of the domestics of the earl. It is surrounded with lofty wooden galleries, and in these many a visitor has spent an happy hour in the society of friends, and the enjoyment of the scenery. Attached to the principal cottage is the chief room for strangers, which has been correctly furnished, to give a good idea of the domestic manners of the brave Alpine mountaineers. Many interesting curiosities add to the attraction of the spot. may Leaving this cottage, the tourist stroll along the banks of the river on his way homeward, and he will not fail to observe the clumps of beeches which adorn the park, among which an oak, perhaps "bald with hoar antiquity," is intermingled. Here, too, may be seen the "cedars of Lebanon," which "with fair branches, and with a shadowy shroud, and of an high stature, had their tops among the thick boughs," Ezek. xxxi. 3. The neighbourhood of Watford affords many opportunities for rural excursions. If the tourist leaves town by a train at half-past eleven in the morning, he will find a coach to convey him to St. Albans; but we leave a visit to that town to another occasion, for our space will not permit us now to do it justice. An omnibus will convey the traveller to any part of Watford from the trains; but to one who desires to "see what is to be seen, we recommend a walk, especially as the distance is inconsiderable. Proceeding down the road in the direction of Cashiobury, part of the town will be observed a short distance to the right, while a broad road leads to the left, on either side of which are houses belonging to the more wealthy of the inhabitants. It Watford is a market town, the area of which, including four adjacent hamlets, is nearly eleven thousand acres. consists chiefly of a main street about a mile in length. The more northern end is by far the superior, and as it slopes downward to the railway, which it joins at the southern end, the houses are in many cases small, and the inhabitants poor. The chief branches of industry, next to agriculture, here pursued, are the spinning and winding of silk, straw plaiting, and malting. There were formerly two silk-mills in the parish, furnishing employment to more than two hundred "Beautiful, sublime, and glorious; fills not the soul with a sense of the vastness of created existence, or his own insignificance in the comparison. But there is on every hand that simple beauty for which the rural scenery of England is pre-eminently distinguished; and as the observer wends his way over the fields or the hills in quest of "the poetry of nature," his soul revels in the enjoyment that is afforded. To exchange the bustle the possession of means so ample for the and anxiety of public business and life for delight and improvement of the mind, will be felt by all who love nature to be a tenfold reward for a half-hour's ride,which in itself is far from being devoid of reach. These are some of the advaninterest,—and which brings them within and we rejoice that they are brought withtages which the "railway system" affords, thousands of our countrymen. in the sphere and appreciated by so many "What though not all Of mortal offspring can attain the height For him the spring Flies o'er the meadow, not a cloud imbibes F. S. W. * THE REED WARBLER. THE reed warbler, which has also been designated the reed wren, and the night warbler, appears to have been first recognised as a British bird by the Rev. John Lightfoot, who described its appearance, habits, and nest to sir Joseph Banks, bart., by whom his statements were communicated to the Royal Society, and published in their "Transactions" for the year 1785. Mr. Lightfoot found *Sylvia arundinacea, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. i. p. 520; Motacilla arundinacea, Montagu, Ornith. Dict.; Sylvia arundinacea, Bewick, Brit. Birds, vol. i. p. 254; Curruca arundinacea, Flem. Brit. An. p. 69; Sylvia arundinacea, Bec. fin des roseaux, Temm. Man. d'Ornith. vol. i. p. 191. that it frequented the reeds of the river Colne, from Harefield Moor to Iver, a distance of about five miles, and he thus availed himself of the opportunity to bring before the naturalists of Britain the history of a bird which had previously in his Zoology, omits to mention it till almost escaped observation. Pennant, the edition published in 1812. The reed warbler visits this country in April, and departs in September. It sings repeatedly during the day, and occasionally also at night; and Mr. Selby states, that its song is varied and pleasing; but it is delivered in a hurried manner, like that of the sedge warbler. S |