Here

much of the primitive simplicity of those ancient times, that he used to dine in his kitchen. he finished his Paradise Lost, and continued to reside during its publication in 1667, and while sitting in the garden received the suggestion of Elwood the Quaker to write Paradise Regained. The house is still deservedly venerated in the neighbourhood as the residence of England's Epic

Poet.

While speaking of this locality, I may mention that near Chalfont is an old seat, called "the Vache," from the family name of the proprietor in very ancient times, and since known as the residence of Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser: nor is it far distant from Shardeloes, the beautiful seat of Mr. Drake, near Amersham.

HAMPDEN.

There is a time when gentlest thoughts are ours;
When like one long and summer-day of ease,
We wear on month and month, and as may please
The chimings of the fancy in our bowers
Disport; or mid the wood-paths wild with flowers
Roam in the heart's glad sunshine, whether the breeze
Be heard at Morn, or mid the noonday trees
Repose, or Night light up her starry towers.
And there too is a time for other mood,
When we must dwell among the walks of men
With eye of loftiest aspect, fortitude
And sternness in our front; and wearing then
That patriot sword which Hampden unsubdued
Wore at his side, though in the tyrant's den.

J. MITFORD.

It is impossible to approach Hampden and Checquers without feeling the deepest interest, or without reflecting how much they are connected with the most important events in English history. The patriot, John Hampden, lived at the first, and the daughter of Oliver Cromwell at the second, and it is certain that the Protector visited both. These circumstances insensibly draw the mind to those scenes of strife, when a king fought for his throne, and his parliament for power

when Prince Rupert retired from the field of Chalgrave, and Hampden bled and died upon it, fighting for his country.

Hampden is situated on a considerable eminence, overlooking a small but pleasing valley. The heights around are adorned with beechen woods, sloping down to well-cultivated fields; and, except for the absence of water, which does not abound in this part of Buckinghamshire, the landscape would be much admired.

The approach to Hampden is, however, sufficiently striking. The village church is near the house, and although without much appearance of great antiquity, it is in a good style of architecture, and has two or three beautiful gothic windows. In this church are many memorials of the ancient family of the Hampdens, the oldest date being 1493; but the estate must have been in their possession long before that time, as a portion of it had been bestowed on Baldwyn de Hampden by Edward the Confessor. On the monument of John Hampden, Esq., who died in 1754, is a tree hung with shields, containing the arms of the Hampdens, and stating that he was the twenty-fourth hereditary lord of Hampden.*

There is also a monument to the beautiful

* At the foot of the tree is a representation of the battle of Chalgrave field.-In Hartwell Church in Buckinghamshire, there is a tablet to the memory of the Hampden family, and among

wife of the patriot, Elizabeth Symeon, who died before him, the inscription on which is supposed to have been written by her husband.

To the eternall Memory

of the trvly

vertvovs and piovs

Elizabeth Hampden wife of John
Hampden of Great Hampden Esqvire
sole davghter & Heire of Edmvnd
Symeon of Pyrton in the County
of Oxon Esqr the tender Mother
of an happy ofspring in 9
hopefvll Children-

In her Pilgrimage

The staie and comfort of her Neighbours
The love and glory of a well ordered family
The delight and happiness of tender Parents
But a crowne of blessings to a Husband

In a wife to all an eternall paterne
Of goodness and cause of love whilst
shee was-

In her Dissolvtion

A losse invaluable to each yet her selfe Blest and they fully recompened in her Translation from a Tabernacle of Claye and fellowshipp wth Mortalls to a celestiall Mansion and communion wth the Diety the 20th day of August 1634

others to Sir Alexander, father of the patriot. In the old church there were some brasses with other memorials of them, but I believe they no longer exist.

John Hampden her sorrowfull Husband in perpetvall testimony of his conjvgall love hath

dedicated this

Monvment

Nearly all the interest a stranger takes in visiting Hampden, is absorbed in the recollection of the virtuous patriot whose residence it was. It may, indeed, for a moment recall to the mind the visits of Cromwell, Pym, and Holles, but everything is lost sight of when the noble and disinterested character of Hampden, that true lover of his country, is brought before us as we approach his ancient domain. Here he resided

for many years, and as has been said of him,* "known to his country neighbours as a gentleman of cultivated mind, of high principles, of polished address, happy in his family, and active in the discharge of local duties; and to political men, as an honest, industrious, and sensible Member of Parliament, not eager to display his talents, staunch to his party, and attentive to the interests of his constituents."

But let me give a slight sketch of the history of such a man. It may enhance the interest which

a visitor to Hampden may feel on going there.

Hampden was born in 1594, and losing his father soon afterwards, he became heir to a large

* See Macauley's Review of Ld. Nugent's Memorials of Hampden.