THE

Lady's Magazine;

SUPPLEMENT for 1790.

DESCRIPTION OF DUNSTER | our view is north-east, the best

CASTLE,

In SOMERSETSHIRE.

(With a North Eaft View of it finely engraved.)

UNSTER is about ten miles

calculated to fhow its form and beauty.

Of the town of Dunfter we may add a few words. It had formerly an abbey of Benedictine monks, founded by William de Mohun, and dedicated to St. George; but he annexed it as a cell to the abbey of

D is feated Peter at Baths fine

of the fuppreffion, it confifted only of three monks, and its revenues amounted to 371.45. 8d. per annum.. The church of this town was built in the reign of Henry the Seventh, is a large handsome structure in the forin of a cathedral, with a fine tower, and part of the ancient abbey. is ftill ftanding near it. Dunfer has a manufacture of kerfeys. Its markets is on Fridays, and it has a fair on Whitfun Monday for ped.

on a fmall river, almost close to the
fea-fide. Its fituation is low, though
it is encompaffed with hills, except
towards the fea. The castle was
given by William the Conqueror
to William de Mohun, in whofe
family it continued till fir John de
Mohun, one of the firft knights of
the Garter, having no male iffue,
conveyed it to trustees, for the ufe
of his wife, who, after his decease,
fold it, in the reign of king Edward
the Third to the lady Elizab th Lut-lars goods,
trell, daughter of Hugh Courtney,
earl of Devonshire, and widow of
fir Andrew Luttrell, knight. Her
fon, fir Henry Luttrell, who was
lieutenant of Harfleur, and fteward
of the household to Henry the Fifth's
queen, added feveral buildings now
fanding, and left the caftle and ho-
nours to his pofterity, by whom it
is ftill poffeffed. It ftands on the
fide of a hill, and is a beautiful
ftructure, though built after the
ancient manner; and of this edifice

The following is fuppofed to be a Let ter wrote to Charlotte, by the une fortunate Lunatic, Henry, her fa ther's Secretary.

the fpheres,

maid! who fits on thy golden. throne in meridian fplendour, deign to look down on thy proftrate flave, but veil thy radiant countenance with tranfparent clouds, that my dazzled 4 R a

eyes

eyes may look on thy refplendent face; the golden locks, like blazing meteors, flow along the azure fky; thy lovely eyes twinkle like two ftars through the ftorm-broken clouds; thy alabafter bofom rifes like the fnow-covered Alps; thy lips like Aurora's purple ftreams, appear. Why docft thou walk difdainfully along the fkies? am not I a god,to meet thee in the clouds, like Júpiter and Juno, on mount Ida? feel! feel! how my blood flows, burning through my veins; how my heart beats convulfive, and through its tenement, like the raging fea, ftrives to burft, and inundate the world. Do not I poffefs a throne, and crown, and fceptre? come and fimile on me, and I will ranfack the bowels of the earth for its choiceft jewels, and wrench the stars from the firmament, to place them on thy bosom.

INNOCENCE at CYTHERA.

regard fhe had juftly engaged-when, Innocence, defirous of knowing how the future would affect her favourite, confulted Fate, fupreme over men, and over gods, and was filled with the most poignant alarm, on hearing the oracle thus exprefs its decrees:It is deftined, that Themira fhall be conducted to Cythera, and that the fhall be entirely abandoned to her own difcretion; her happiness or mifery wholly depending on her fidelity to you.-Innocence trembled, but the decrees of Fate are irrevocable, and compels fubmiffion.Therefore Innocence fought confo lation in reflecting that no restrictions were laid on her refpecting the fatal voyage her pupil was doomed to make, and determined to accompany her, till fhe reached Cythera, though a ftranger to the country, and to protect her, at long as fhe was permitted, against the numberless dangers fhe was going to be expofed to. Themira, placing her whole confidence in Innocence, to whofe authoITUATED in a remote corner rity fhe had ever paid an implicit of the globe, far from the bustle obedience, and of whofe protection of the bufy world, is an ifland, which, fhe thought herself fecure, quitted from the blindnefs of the generality without regret or anxiety this fortu. of mankind, is known but to few. nate island. Scarcely had they reachIn this favoured fpot, the air which ed the borders of a fea, which, though theybreathe is always pure and ferece; apparently calm, is, notwithstanding, the feafons are not fubject to thofe famous for the frequency of its viciffitudes which we experience in ftorms, than they were officioufly our hemifphere: the furface of their addreffed by a number of pilots, lakes and rivers tesify no turbulence, offering to conduct them to Cythera. know no trouble, agitated alone by Pleafure, Indolence, Curiofity and the gentle breath of Zephyr, and Imprudence command fuperb vefnever have the hearts of its inhabi- fels, the paffengers of each warmtants felt the tempeft of upruly paf-ly invited Themira to make her fions. Innocence, fovereign of this voyage with them; but the countedelightful abode, poffeffes no throne nance of Innocence forbid her ac but in the hearts of her fubje&s, who cepting their offers. At last a venercheerfully obey her, faithfully fup- able old man, in a small, unornaport her empire; and, who are fen-mented veffel approached the fhore, ible of no pleafure equal to paying and tendered his fervice in conducther a conftant and affectionate ho- ing them to Cythera; he was known mage. In this bleffed ifle the charm- under the title of Duty, and Innoing Themira paffed days of unintercence overlooking the fmallness of rupted blifs, cheered by the peculiar his bark, and pleafed with its fimfavour of her fovereign, whofe tender plicity, accepted a place in it with

S1T

out

Innocence at Cythera.

679

draw her attention from Themira; but that one moment parted her from her favourite. Such were the decrees of heaven, that, to render the virtue of this charming girl more confpicuously brilliant, fhe fhould encounter the strongest temptations unfupported, but by the rectitude of her own principles, and the fentiments of purity Innocence had endeavoured to inftil into her mind. Themira had not proceeded far when the was approached by a beautiful fmiling urchin, whofe playfulness, to appearance, and artless careffes, feduced her to follow his steps, and infenfibly led her fome diftance which the beauty of the fcene prevented her noticing; for the whole Inland was a complete garden,

66

planted by Flora and Pomona themfelves. These gardens art confpired with nature to render delightful: fruitful vallies and pleasant eminences, delicious parterres and green refreshing thickets on every fide, ftruck the eye: the fhadowed walks were here and there ornamented with minature buildings,

out hesitation. On entering it, the
old man thus addreffed them --You
will not repent the having given my
boat the preference; I know all the
fhoals and rocks which furround the
ifland, and none of those who have
chosen me for their pilot, have ever
been wrecked.- How happens it then,
enquired Themira, your boat is fo
fmall; one can scarce fit at one's
eafe? It is fill too big, answered the
pilot, confidering how very few make
choice of me for their guide in this
dangerous voyage; never has it been
fo full, as this day. During this
converfation, the veffel glided gently
towards the ifland, clofely followed
by thofe magnificent fhips, in which
Themira would gladly have taken
her paffage, had not Innocence de-
cided in favour of Duty. She had
however very foon reafon to rejoice
at her acquiefcence in fo prudent a
determination, which had faved her
many heart-rending afflictions, for the
moment they came within fight of
Cythera, there arose a violent tem-
peft, occafioned by a contention be-
tween the winds, which drove from
the contrary points of jealoufy, in-gruttoes, and obelifks, with groups
conftancy, fufpicion, and difguft, and
while the little bark of Duty landed
without the least difficulty, the other
veffels, unable to combat the waves,
or refift the increafing violence of
the winds, fell a facrifice to the storm.
Several of the paffengers perifhed be-
fore they reached the fhore; and
thofe who escaped were only faved to
regret the feverer lofs of the valu-
able jewels they had brought with
them. All the borders of the river
refounded with the cries of the un-
fortunate voyagers. One lamented
in piteous ftrains the lofs of peace;
another the deprivation of health,
while a third grieved for the irre-
trievable treafure, called reputation,
and a thousand other invaluable bleff.
ings, too numerous to relate. In-
nocence, ftruck with the fate of these
unhapppy wretches, fuffered her
compation, for a moment, to with.

of marble figures, reprefenting Eu-
ropa feated upon her bull; the
fwan reclining upon the breast of
Leda; and other fimilar trophies
of the God of Cythera. The earth
teemed with flowers of a thousand
variegated colours, and was watered
by a number of little murmuring
ftreams, which in one place con-
tracted themselves into a canal, in
another extended themselves into a
lake; and these lakes were covered
with small barks, most beautifully
decorated, and navigated by little
fportive deities, who made thea-
ters refound, and the woods echo,
with their infant fhouts. The gar-
dens" were inhabited by fylvan
nymphs and fwains, whom the god
himself had taught the art of love,
and to whom Venus had conferred
the gift of pleasing. All their di
verfions were feasoned by pleasure.

I

They

or

They introduced now and then in her with looks of unuiterable tenderthe midst of their converfations, nefs without daring to break the gentle whispers, fly careffes, and fympathetic ilence. Some moments other endearing allurements; they having elapfed in this kind of intoxinever concealed themfelves, but to cation, Themira felt, for the first increase the defire of being beheld; time, her heart very fenfibly agi. and, if ever they clofed their eyes, tated, and furprited at the fighs fe it was but to open them again with in vain eflayed to fupprefs, fuddenly redoubled fplendour. With them called to her alarmed prudente, repulfes and delays ferved but to her beloved queen.-Ah! dear augment reciprocal delight. One Innocence, fhe cried, where are you? would be puzzled to determine, Why have you forfaken me, whether for this perpetual round rather, what enchantment can have of pleatures they were indebted to tempted me to feparate myself from the bounty, or to the connivance of you? In pronouncing these wards, the God."-Dangerous fcenes for Themira burst into tears. Lifidor the unfufpecting Them ra, who, (the name of the young franger) chirmed with every thing the faw, rouzed from his expreffive filence fill followed her arch conductor, by her distress, threw himself at her who now conducted his way towards feet, wiped away her tears, conjur a grove, in an arbour of which the ing her in the moft animated lanperceived a child, to all appearance guage of love to teach him how to in great grief, extending its little rettore her to her former tranquillity. hands, as if imploring affiftance. fer peace is forever fled, an-1 Themira, rouched with the most fwered Themira, I have loft my lively compaflion, immediately flew friend, my companion; my queen. to his relief, wheh, pointing to the without her I have no hopes of caufe of his tears, the beheld a happiness, this inftant, while I have youth, vainly endeavouring to ex- yet power, I will fly in fearch of tract an arrow which had pierced her, and exert, ere too late, unhis heart, and fill remained fixed wearied endeavours to recover my in fpite of every effort to remove it. incftimable fovereign. Ah! charmi Themira, guided by fenfibility, ap-ing Themira, exclaimed Lifidor, proached to affift the unknown youth, in extricating himself from this dangerous weapon; but fcarce had the touched the fatal dart, than the two urchins fmiled and fled, and Themira felt herself instantly wounded.

that you could but partake of the exquifite pleafure I experience in beholding you! Like you I was deprived of all, on landing upon this ifland, but one look, one mo. ment with you o'erpays me for every lofs; no longer fenfible of The mutual endeavours they ex- any connection, any pleafure, exerted to relive each other, the more cept that of adoring you; of exfirmly fixed in their hearts this preting my paffion to you, and indangerous arrow. Themira, whofe dulging the enchanting hope or chearful ferenity, had never, till your embibing a flame that fhalk this moment, forfaken her, unite us for ever. Forget this comfeized with a langour fhe was at a panion, the remembrance of whom, lofs to account for, caft her eyes cruelly intrudes upon cur happiness, upon the ground and fighed-the I dare read in your eyes your love, ftranger equally ignorant of the your tenderness; relign your felf caufe of the mel nch ly with which entirely to thofe delightful fentihe found himfelf attacked, beheldments, and in this bower, let us

was

forget

Innocence at Cybera.

681

even a right to complain, replied Innocence; you are very fenfible it proceeded from your own inconftancy; from the moment I difcovered that Artifice, Coquettry, and Licentioufnefs rivalled me in your heart, I banished myself from your empire. You ought to recollect with regret thofe happy days when we jointly reigned over the hearts of men; and acknowledge with a blufh, that your glory faded from the moment you renounced me.— I will not attempt to justify myself, faid Love, but is there no poffibility of recalling thofe regretted days? Cannot we by a perfect reconciliatoin repair thofe misfortunes which our divorce has occafioned? If you will once more refore me to your favour, the moft folemn vows fhall affure you of my conftancy. Alas! cried Innocence, what dependence can be placed on the oaths of Love ? And can a fimple excufe cure all the wounds your infidelity has inflicted ? How many hearts devoted to me alone, have you robbed me of? and even now, am I pot fuffering under the cruelest affliction, from your artifice, in feducing my beloved Themira from my arms?

forget the whole world, alice only to mutual love.-You know not what you afk, replied Themira; its true I love you, (I have not learnt hypocrify) I love you more than myself, and I feel my heart will retain its affection for you till it ceafes to beat; but that love, poweras it is, shall never, never withdraw from my queen the fidelity I owe her. Our happiness cannot be perfect if I forfake Innocence; permit me then to go in search of her, too long have I delayed it, and let us truft in the gods for the bleffing of being united under the fanction of my adored fovereign.-You wish to leave me, Themira, tenderly exclaimed the afflicted youth, you wifh my death then? Cruel Themira, why cannot we together feek this valuable companion fo dear to you, fo neceffary to my future peace? Ah! Lifidor, cease thy perfuafions, my heart tells me we never fall find her together.-In finishing these words, Themira tore herself from the dangerous embraces of her lover, and with the most painful anxiety, proceeded in fearch of Innocence, who, from the moment they parted, had been wandering in great distress at the lofs of her dear Love impatiently interrupted her. pupil, hopclefs of finding her fpot-You as ufual do me injuftice, and lefs as when the companion of her fuffer yourself to be guided by prebofom.-Love felt a malicious plea- judice; how often have Avarice, fure in the grief with which he Vanity, and Jealoufy prostituted my perceived Innocence to be over- name to feduce your votaries from whelmed; they had for fome time you? Can you really believe it is been at variance, the god of Cy. Love who forms thofe ties you fo thera therefore thought this a good juftly lament? I was defirous of opportunity to effect a reconcilia- avoiding an explanation, and had tion, and pretending perfect igno- the generofity of acknowledging myrance of her motives for undertak- felf in the wrong, in the hope of ing the voyage, thus addreffed her: obtaining your pardon the more What powerful reafon can have in-cafily, without riking another quarduced you to honour my island with rel from recrimination; but I peryour prefence? It is fo long fince you ceive I must justify myself in form. have conferred that happinefs, that For example, you ground your acit is with difficulty I recal to mind, cufations on the match lately enthe perfon of my dear, and long lofttered into by young Cloe, and you affociate. You know too well the abufe me as the caufe of her engagcause of my long abfence to feeling fo unfuitable a lover, when on

the