Member of the Royal Society of Literature, and of the Cymrodorion Society; Corresponding Member of the Society of Antiquaries of Normandy; Member of the Royal Academy of Madrid, etc., etc. Translator of the Poems of Garcilasso de la Vega, and of Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered." Author of "Aonian Hours ;' "Julia Alpinula :" "The Captive of Stamboul," and other Poems; and "The Historical Memoirs of the House of Russell."

BY HIS DAUGHTER.

ERRATUM.

P. 57.

For some verra fine ones,' read

some verra pure ore."

At p. 5, see footnote. The "Sketch of Life of Elizabeth Wiffen" is not inserted

in this volume.

"Poetry is not to be obtained but by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit that can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends His seraphim with the hallowed fire of His altar to touch and purify the lips of whom He pleases."-MILTON.

N

ESTLED among glorious pine woods, which stand golden green in the sunlight, dark misty blue in the shadow, lies the little town of Woburn in Bedfordshire.

Reposing under the shadow of the ancestral lions of the Ducal House of Bedford, the hum and stir of restless modern life are not permitted to penetrate thereto.

Half a century ago, it wore a different aspect.

One of the principal stages on the high road between London and the North, it was then wide awake and astir with the life and bustle which sixty coaches passing up, and sixty coaches passing down, day and night, would inevitably bring.

Its ancient hostelry, in those days called "The

George Inn," now "The Bedford Arms Hotel," was the centre of life and animation.

The merry notes of the guard's horn faintly heard in the distance along the London Road, coming nearer and nearer, the echoing footfalls of the horses prancing down the street till they drew up in a rush all together at the door of the hotel, where stood the hospitable landlord and his portly landlady, ready with welcome and entertainment for all who came; the steaming horses led away to rest, the sleek shining ones brought out, and put to, in inimitable quick-as-lightning style; parcels handed up, parcels handed down, coming from the great metropolis, containing perhaps the last Waverley novel, or the new poem by Rogers, or Byron, or Campbell, eagerly waited for, and reverently treasured up, for months after; or a box of millinery for the head "milliner and mantua maker," with the latest fashions from town for the élite at the next public ball; friends come to meet their friends-the parting of those who set forth on their long journey into the unknown land of the North, the expectant stir of "the coach coming," the pathetic, lingering looks after the "coach is gone," the dying echoes of the horses' footfalls, and farewell blast of the guard's horn borne back on the breeze, as, passing out of the little town, the coach wound its way along the high road, and entered the deep wooded ravine which has Aspley Wood on the right, and the Brickhill Woods on the left, all formed a picture which indelibly imprinted itself on the

mind, and in its grave reality of the stern duties and business of life, contrasts strongly with the modern "playing at coaches" which exists now.

Nor did the little town of Woburn lack appreciation of mind and intellect!

A graceful act of respect and courtesy to a Poet is told of the landlord of the George.

On one occasion, the Poet Cowper, passing through Woburn, stayed to dine at the George Inn. On calling for the account, the master himself came forward, and stated that he could not think of accepting payment: the honour of having entertained so great a Poet at his establishment was more than sufficient recompence!

In the house next door to the George Inn, (now the Bedford Arms Hotel,) Jeremiah Holmes Wiffen was born, on the 30th day of December, 1792.

He was the eldest son of John Wiffen, and of Elizabeth his wife, who were members of the Society of Friends, and were engaged in business as ironmongers.

Here also their second son was born, Benjamin Barron Wiffen, who became in after-life the Spanish scholar. His name is known in connection with "The Reformistas Antiguos Españoles," in the Libraries and Universities of England, and in those of the continents of Europe and America.

Their two elder daughters, Mary and Sophia, died

unmarried.