now called Emscote, and converted into a farm; it stands at some distance to the left of the bridge, and is the only house now left in Emscote, all the rest having been long since depopulated. From the reign of Henry the Fourth to that of Henry the Seventh, the Manor House belonged to the powerful family of the Hugford's, in the latter reign, it passed, by the marriage of the heiress of this family, into that of the Beaufoy's, and by them, in 1776, it was sold to the Earl of Warwick.

Near this house, on a little green, is a large horse-chesnut tree, encircled by a rustic seat; here, under the ample shade and spreading foliage above, the visitor may at once recruit his strength, and enjoy the prospect around him; pursuing your walk, you pass through a little gate which leads you into the upper coach-road (from Leamington to Warwick;) turning to your left you cross the Avon, over Emscote bridge, a very ancient structure, dragging its needful length over the waters of the Avon, which are here joined by those of their sister Leam. From this bridge you have a view of the grand aqueduct on the left, and on the right, there is a pretty prospect of Rock-Mill, and its extensive cotton manufactory; crossing the canal bridge, by the navigation flour-mill, you reach Warwick by Coton End. Returning to Emscote House, a lane to the right takes you back again to Leamington New

Town. As you go down this lane, it is said, you pass a subterraneous passage, which anciently led to Kenilworth Castle, and an aperture is shewn, in the road near the bridge, which, it is affirmed, is the entrance of it. The walk to Warwick may be varied by following the course of the canal, which, though staid and uninteresting itself, leads through a pleasant track to the aqueduct, a magnificent stone structure, conveying the water of the canal over the Avon, this noble work is 216 feet long, 35 feet broad, and 34 feet high, supported by three arches, rising twenty-one feet above the level of the river. It commands a charming landscape to the right, of wood, water, rock, meadow, and buildings, including the bridge and mill of Emscote, and the town and castle of Warwick; though "words," as an ancient writer has observed, "are the pencils, whereby drawne we finde the picture, yet words are insufficient to image the variety and beauty of aspect in which Warwick, &c. present themselves in many points of these walks. The stroll by the canal, in the way to Warwick, may be continued at pleasure, to either of the three bridges, on the Emscote, Coventry, and Birmingham roads. as each leads into the town, though from different parts.

WALK TO OFFCHURCH.

The rural court of Offa, Mercian king!
Where' sever'd from its trunk, low lies the head
Of brave Fermundus, slain by coward hands,
As on the turf supine in sleep he lay,

Nor wist it sleep, from which to wake no more!

JAGO.

COMMENCING from the eastern extremity of Leamington, down the southern road, which follows, for some distance, the windings of the Leam, as it gently meanders through some rich meadows to the left, the rising grounds beyond, present a charming display of wood scenery, worthy of Hobbima; embosomed in which, is prominently disclosed the beautiful seat of Mr. Willes; passing them, you cross a stone bridge which carries you over a small stream, running into the Leam, this is succeeded by a second, over the canal, when Radford Hall appears in view, a good old manor-house, occupying an elevated situation, and commanding extensive views; near it is the rural church of Radford Semely, a little village, about half way on the road to Offchurch. This church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was given by Henry de Semely, one of the most ancient possessors of the village, to Kenilworth Monastery, in the time of Henry the First; a little beyond the church stands the village

itself. Here in a small fanciful house, sometimes resides H. G. Lewis, Esq. of Malvern Hall, Solihul, who has a great deal of land here. But, pursuing our walk, passing Radford Hall, you turn to your left, when you go through the turnpike, where a rural lane takes you over another of the navigation bridges, and the first white gate on the left, leads to the park and grounds of Offchurch Bury, the seat of the Knightly family. The village of Offchurch stands on the top of a hill, about half a mile beyond, being three short miles from Leamington. Offchurch Bury is an ancient mansion, said to bear a great resemblance to the palace of Scone, the coronation place of the Scottish kings. Dugdale, speaking of Offchurch, says, "in one part (meaning this) was a place called Berge which signifies no less than Burgns, or Curia, and here was a stately palace, belonging to Offa, KING OF MERCIA; and, by reason of his sometimes residence here, the church first, and consequently the village, had its name," Offa was one of the most powerful princes of the Saxon Heptarchy, and distinguished for his wisdom in government, and his valour in war; he was honoured with the friendship and alliance of Charlemagne, but dis graced himself by the murder of Ethelbert, King of the East Angles, whose dominions he seized and united to his own. Fermundus, his son, according

to Camden, was treacherously murdered between Harbury and Long Itchington, and buried in his father's palace; being a person of singular piety, he was afterwards canonized and had divine honors paid him by the people. On the dissolution of religious houses, in Henry the Eighth's reign, Offchurch Bury was granted to Sir Edmund Knightly, Knight, in whose family it has continued ever since. This mansion is a large irregular edifice, built at different periods, but still preserving a character of Gothic grandeur: the situation is low, and the scene calm and sequestered, it stands on the banks of the river Leam. Opposite the Gothic porch, which forms the entrance to this venerable mansion, stands a large chesnut-tree, spreading its umbrageous branches, like the African BOABOB, to an immense distance, so as easily to cover 300 persons. On the lawn, upon which this natural curiosity stands, is a beautiful piece of water, delightfully reflecting its foliage. The park is pleasant and extensive, well shaded with noble trees, and the grounds are very tastefully laid out. Offchurch is supposed to have been of some consideration in the time of the Saxons; the church is a good old structure, dedicated to St. Gregory; and the parsonage-house and grounds are prettily displayed, a la Repton: they command charming prospects of the surrounding country. Proceeding