viewed in connection with the rest of the ruins, makes it sufficiently evident that the building was of large extent and imposing architecture. The abbey has been of the AngloNorman style. Not far from the gateway already mentioned, is a similar portion of this ancient structure, which has been converted into a cow-house or barn. At some distance there are several large and shapeless remnants of the old walls. Of the church originally in connection with the monastery there are no remains, with the exception of its arched entrance, which is supposed to have been removed to the present church close at hand. Some years ago, when the present churchyard was being enlarged, some portions of the foundations of the abbey were discovered, which are supposed to be the remains of the chapter-house; and some fine ornamental fragments of different periods and styles were found. Several stone coffin lids with ancient carvings were also uncovered. These are still to be seen in the churchyard.

THE PARISH CHURCH, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a handsome and interesting building, though not, as a whole, laying claim to much antiquity. The oldest part of it is the fine Norman arch in the tower, forming the entrance. This is regarded as one of the finest of the kind in this country, and is supposed to have been originally the entrance to the abbey church, from which it was removed to its present position when that building was destroyed. This noble doorway has the" diamond, embattled, zigzag, and beak mouldings in suc

cession." The body of the church is more modern, but contains various styles. The spire-steeple gives the structure a pleasing and picturesque appearance. The interior will be found worthy of inspection. The east window is in the second pointed style, and was the gift of the late Dr. Samuel Butler, then vicar of Kenilworth and master of Shrewsbury school, afterwards bishop of Lichfield. It is filled with stained glass, and contains the arms of the successive possessors of the castle. It is perhaps to be regretted that the ancient east window, the tracery of which was of a rare kind, should have been removed to make way for what many will think not a very suitable ornament for a Christian church. The original window, it is said, now forms the entrance to a summer-house in the vicar's garden. The arrangements and details of the interior do not call for special notice. The tourist will be able to observe traces of three sedilia on the south side of the chancel. The south aisle has one of those openings, regarding the use of which antiquarians are not agreed. They are variously styled confessionals, vulsre windows, and lychnoscopes. There are traces of another, which has been blocked up, in the south-west wall of the chancel. The font, which is octagonal, has the date 1664; but it is supposed to be much older, and that that was the time at which it was reworked. The dimensions of the nave are 741 feet by 283; chancel 39 by 33. The church contains a considerable number of monuments, none of them of much antiquity. The chancel contains a very beautiful one by Westmacott, to the memory of Caroline, the wife of Richard Gresley, Esq.

If the tourist linger for a little in the churchyard, he may find one or two of the epitaphs worth noticing. One "to the memory of Luke Sturley, who held the office of parish clerk upwards of 60 years," and died aged 89, contains the following lines:

"The graves around, for many a year,
Were dug by him who slumbers here,
Till, worn with age, he dropped his spade,
And in this dust his bones were laid."
As he now mouldering shares the doom
Of those he buried in the tomb,

So will his body, too, with theirs arise,
To share the judgment of the skies."

Another effort of the churchyard muse runs as follows :

"Death's but a path that must be trod,
If man would ever pass to God,
A state of calms, a port of ease
From the rough rage of swelling seas.

G

Think, reader, what it is to die;
Think, you must climb above the sky:

Oh, may some happy spirit guard your flight
To the blest realms of everlasting light!"

We conclude with a weighty line from a tombstone bearing the date of 1758

"Life how short-Eternity how long!"

VICINITY OF KENILWORTH.

STONELEIGH is two miles from Kenilworth, and four from Leamington. The scenery is of a very rich and picturesque description; and the village, as well as the abbey, will be found worthy of the attention of the tourist. Before the Conquest, and down to the time of Henry II., Stoneleigh was held in demesne by the crown. In 1154, the first year of Henry II., an abbey of Cistercian monks was founded here, the monks removing to this place from Radmore in Staffordshire. In subsequent reigns many privileges were conferred on the monastery, among which were a weekly market, annual fair, and free warren. At the time of the survey in the reign of Henry VIII., the annual revenue of the abbey amounted to £151:3:1. On the dissolution, it was bestowed on Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. The site of the monastery, and greater part of the lands, subsequently passed by purchase to Sir Thomas Leigh, Alderman of London, the first of the Leigh family who possessed this estate. Sir Thomas erected a mansion on the site of the abbey, incorporating with it some of the monastic buildings. The modern mansion was built by Edward, Lord Leigh, about the middle of last century. A considerable portion of the ancient dwelling-house has been preserved. Lady Alice Leigh, the wife of Sir Thomas, founded a range of alms-houses for ten poor people-five men and five women unmarried. Sir Thomas Leigh, great-grandson of the first Sir Thomas, was created a baron of the realm by Charles I., for his faithful service. When that haughty and unfortunate monarch was refused admission into Coventry in 1662, he was entertained with zealous loyalty at Stoneleigh. Attachment to the Stuarts was a great characteristic of this family; and it was this hereditary principle which caused the successive possessors of the title and estate to avoid taking any part in politics. The line of the first Lord Leigh terminated about

the beginning of the present century. The title was, however, revived in 1839, in the person of Chandos Leigh, Esq., who was created Baron Leigh of Stoneleigh, and whose son is its present possessor.

THE ABBEY, the seat of Lord Leigh, is delightfully situated in a fine park, through which the Avon flows, with its usual beauty and more than its usual breadth. It is situated, as has been said, on the site of the ancient abbey. Of this building a very interesting relic still remains, in the old gateway near the house. It was erected by Robert de Hockele, the sixteenth abbot, who died in 1349, and has on an escutcheon over the arch the arms of Henry II., the founder of the abbey. This ivy-grown arch forms a very picturesque object. The family mansion has undergone changes and improvements at different times; and it is enough to say that it is admirably in keeping with the noble park in which it stands. The suite of stables and coach houses, built by the grandfather of the present nobleman, is magnificent. The gardens and pleasure grounds are laid out with great taste.

The apartments of this fine mansion correspond in their style and attractiveness with the beauty of the exterior. The Hall is a splendid room, supported by eight Corinthian pillars, four on each side, and ornamented with alto-relievos of the labours of Hercules. The other apartments are also handsomely furnished. The Chapel, which is profusely ornamented with plaster work, contains a fine altar-piece of white marble, with a painting of the Descent from the Cross. Among the fine and valuable Paintings with which this mansion is adorned, are portraits of Lord and Lady Leigh, by Hayter; Henry VIII., a valuable picture, by Holbein; Lord Byron, by Philips; Charles I., by Vandyke; the King and Queen of Bohemia, by Gerard Horst; two old portraits of monks, said to have been inmates of the abbey; and paintings by Albert Durer, Rembrandt, Cuyp, Wouvermans, Teniers, etc.

The Park is of great extent and highly picturesque. It contains many magnificent oaks, and is well stocked with deer and other game. Tasteful lodges have been constructed at the various points of entrance; and a handsome bridge of one arch has been built across the Avon, forming a fine approach to the house.

The Village, like the abbey, is richly embosomed in wood. With the exception of the church, it contains no buildings of any public interest. The alms-houses, already referred to as having been founded by Lady Alice Leigh, are kept up in a

state of efficiency and neatness, which is due, we believe, to the benevolent attention of the present Lady Leigh. In 1856 a reading and lecture room was provided for the use of the villagers by Lord Leigh, and was opened with an appropriate address by his Lordship.

The Church is large and picturesque, and contains many remains of its original Norman architecture. The highly enriched doorway is a fine specimen of the Norman style, and the architectural decorations of the chancel, discovered in the course of alterations, and judiciously preserved, are of the same order. The church contains several monuments to members of the Leigh family. One of these is deserving of particular notice. It is to the Duchess Dudley, wife of Sir Robert Dudley, son of the Earl of Leicester, who received the title of Duke from the Emperor Ferdinand II. The Duchess Alicia, who erected this monument to herself and her daughter, was the daughter of Sir Thomas Leigh. When her husband, Sir Robert Dudley, went abroad on failing to get his legiti macy acknowledged, she remained in England. Sir Robert did not go alone on his travels; for, as Dugdale informs us, Elizabeth, the daughter of Sir Charles Southwell, a very beautiful lady, went with him into Italy, in the habit of a page, and there married him." The Lady Alice died at the age of ninety. Sir Robert never returned to England. He is described as a man of great learning, as well as accomplished in knightly achievements.

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The monument is an altar tomb of marble, bearing the recumbent figures of the Duchess Dudley and her daughter Alicia, beneath a canopy with arms on the facings. In the chancel there is also a curious old font, said to have been brought from Maxtoke, adorned with the carved figures of saints.

The drive from Kenilworth or Leamington to Stoneleigh, and round the park, is one of the most attractive in the neighbourhood. By extending his excursion about three miles farther, in a south-easterly direction, the tourist may reach

PRINCETHORPE, where there is a Roman Catholic nunnery. This is a large building, containing two hundred apartments, and indicating taste in its construction and arrangements. The grounds are pleasingly laid out. The nuns to whom this institution belongs are of the Benedictine order. They took refuge in this country at the time of the French Revolution. At first they located themselves at Heath Hall, in Yorkshire; then at Orrell Mount, in Lancashire; and