The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction by Various


Main
- books.jibble.org



My Books
- IRC Hacks

Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare

External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd

books.jibble.org

Previous Page | Next Page

Page 1

In the time of the commonwealth, Brambletye was the focus of many a
cavalier conspiracy. "From its not being a place of any strength or
notice, it was imagined that Brambletye might better escape the keen and
jealous watchfulness, which kept the protector's eye ever fixed upon the
strong holds and defensible mansions of the nobility and gentry; while
its proximity to the metropolis, combined with the seclusion of its
situation, adapted it to any enterprize which required at the same time
secrecy, and an easy communication with the metropolis."

In the novel just quoted, which is altogether a pleasant assemblage of
historical facts, aided by the imaginative garniture of the author, the
denouement is brought about by the explosion of a gunpowder vault which
destroyed part of the mansion; and on the marriage of his hero and
heroine Brambletye House was abandoned to its fate; "and the time that
has intervened since its desertion," says our author, "combining with
the casualty and violence by which it was originally shattered and
dismantled, has reduced it to its present condition of a desolate and
forlorn ruin."

A visit to Brambletye was the immediate object of our journey, and
though a distance of thirty-three miles, we considered ourselves amply
requited by the pensive interest of the scene and its crowded
associations. In our childhood we had been accustomed to clamber its
ruins and tottering staircases with delight, not to say triumph;
heedless as we then were of the historical interest attached to them.
After a lapse of a score and ---- years, the whole scene had become
doubly attractive. A new road had been formed from East Grinstead to
Forest Row, from which a pleasant lane wound off to Brambletye. We are
at a loss to describe our emotions as we approached the ruin. It was
altogether a little struggle of human suffering. Within two hundred
years the mansion had been erected, and by turns became the seat of
baronial splendour and of civil feuds,--of the best and basest feelings
of mankind;--the loyalty and hospitality of cavaliers; the fanatic
outrages of Roundheads; and ultimately of wanton desolation! The gate
through which Colonel Lilburne and his men entered, was blocked up with
a hurdle; and the yard where his forces were marshalled was covered with
high flourishing grass; the towers had almost become mere shells, but
the vaulted passages, once stored with luxuries and weapons, still
retained much of their original freshness. What a contrast did these few
wrecks of turbulent times present with the peaceful scene by which they
were surrounded, viz. a farm and two water-mills--on one side displaying
the stormy conflict of man's passion and petty desolation--and on the
other, the humble attributes of cheerful industry. We strove to repress
our feelings as we entered the principal porch, where by an assemblage
of names of visiters scribbled on the walls, and not unknown to us, we
learnt that, we were not the first to sympathize with the fate of
Brambletye!

Within these few years, through a sort of barbarous disregard for their
associations, the lodge and the greater part of the wall represented in
our engraving, has been pulled down! and the moated house has lately
shared the same fate--for the sake of their materials--cupidity in which
we rejoiced to hear the destroyers were disappointed--their intrinsic
worth not being equal to the labour of removing them: the work of
destruction would, however, have extended to the whole of the ruins had
not some guardian hand interfered. It will be seen that the moated house
was furnished with a ponderous drawbridge and other fortifying
resources; from the licentious character of its founders it was
_consequently_ haunted many years before its removal.

In East Grinstead we learned that the Comptons were a noble family, and
traditions of their hospitality are current amongst the oldest
inhabitants of that town.[1]

[1] For the loan of the drawing (made in 1780), whence the first
engraving is copied, we are indebted to the kindness of a
gentleman of East Grinstead; and for the sketch of the latter
to an affectionate relative.

* * * * *


BATTLE HYMN.

_Imitated from the German of Theodore Korner._[2]

(_For the Mirror_.)


Father, in mercy hear
A youthful warrior's prayer.
Thundering cannons are roaring around me:
Carnage and death, and destruction surround me;
God of eternal power.
Guide me in this dread hour!
Guide me in this dread hour
God of eternal power!
Lead me, base Tyranny manfully braving,
Onwards to where _Freedom's_ banner is waving--
To death--or victory;
I bow to thy decree!
I bow to thy decree,
In death or victory!
'Mid the loud din of the battle's commotion,
When Nature smiles, or when storms rend the ocean,
Lord of the brave and just
In _thee_ I'll put my trust!
In thee I'll put my trust,
Lord of the brave and just!
On thee, the fountain of goodness relying,
Whatever ills may come--living and dying
I will thy praise proclaim,
Blest be thy holy name.
Blest be thy holy name,
I will thy praise proclaim,
'Tis not for worldly ends we're contending,
_Liberty's_ sacred cause we're defending,
And by thy might on high,
We'll conquer--or we'll _die!_
We'll conquer--or we'll _die_
By the great God on High.
When life's red stream from my bosom is swelling,
And the last sigh on my faint lip is dwelling,
Then Lord in mercy hear
A youthful warrior's prayer!

Previous Page | Next Page


Books | Photos | Paul Mutton | Fri 29th Mar 2024, 1:31