tten from this
very spot; and Mr. Penn has exhibited the finest taste in their
selection.

On the end facing Mr. Penn's house--

THIS MONUMENT,
IN HONOR OF THOMAS GRAY,
WAS ERECTED, A. D. MDCCXCIX., AMONG
THE SCENES CELEBRATED BY THAT
GREAT LYRIC AND ELEGIAC POET.
HE DIED XXX JULY, MDCCLXXI, AND
LIES UNNOTICED IN THE CHURCH-YARD
ADJOINING, UNDER THE TOMB-STONE ON
WHICH HE PIOUSLY AND PATHETICALLY
RECORDED THE INTERMENT OF HIS
AUNT AND LAMENTED MOTHER.

On the side looking toward Windsor--

Hard by yon wood, now smiling as in scorn,
Muttering his wayward fancies, he would rove;
Now drooping, woful wan, like one forlorn,
Or crazed with care, or cross'd in hopeless love.

One morn I miss'd him on the 'custom'd hill,
Along the heath, and near his fav'rite tree;
Another came; nor yet beside the rill,
Nor up the lawn, nor at the wood was he.

On the end facing Stoke Palace--

Ye distant spires, ye antique towers,
That crown the wat'ry glade,
Ah! happy hills! Ah, pleasing shade!
Ah! fields belov'd in vain!
Where once my careless childhood strayed,
A stranger yet to pain!
I feel the gales that from ye blow,
A momentary bliss bestow.

On the west side, looking toward the church-yard--

Beneath these rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mould'ring heap,
Each in his narrow cell forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Await alike th' inevitable hour--
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

This noble monument is erected on a beautiful green mound, and is
surrounded with flowers. It is protected by a deep trench, in the
bottom of which is a palisade; but the inclosure may be entered by
application at one of Mr. Penn's pretty entrance lodges, which is
close by. The prospects from this part of the park are surpassingly
beautiful, particularly looking toward the "distant spires and antique
towers" of Eton and Windsor.

It may be worth while here to remark, that the church and church-yard
of Stoke is surrounded by Mr. Penn's property, or more properly
speaking his park.

Coming upon the beautiful monument quite unexpectedly, was not likely
to diminish the enthusiasm previously entertained;