skeleton: but that on a close investigation, it was found not to be the Protector, but that of a person who had been hung for a robbery near the fpot, within the last century.

FROM Nafeby the Avon winds its course, in a western direction, through part of this extenfive field, towards the small remains of Sulby abbey, founded about the year 1155, by W. De Wideville, or Wevill, as a convent of the Premonftratenfian order. At the time of its foundation, it was called Welford abbey. At the diffolution, the clear yearly income of this abbey appears to have been £258. 8s. 5d. In the 12th of Elizabeth, the monaftery, with other demefnes, were granted to Christopher Hatton, Efq. in exchange for Holdenbey manor, which, on the death of the said Christopher, devolved to the crown. It is now a refpectable farm house, and has only a few frag

ments

ments of old ftone walls, decorated with heads of monks, &c. here and there scattered about, to indicate what was its original deftination.

LIKE most other religious devotees, these pious reclufe appear to have taken good care that their house should not want any of the comforts of wood and water; soft shade to cool the fervor of their devotion; and delicate fish to enable them to fupport the rigours of ecclefiaftical abstinence.

SEC

SECTION II.

FROM Sulby abbey our gentle Avon, in a circuitous course, winds its way towards the village of Welford, a distance of near two miles weftward. The approach to this pleasant village from the river, yields rather an agreeable landscape; an ancient stone bridge, part of the village, and the venerable tower of the church, modeftly rising above the neighbouring objects, combine happily, and give that fort of view, which, being fimple in itself, feldom fails to constitute elegance. The church is of very high antiquity, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. At the end of each aisle is a chantery chapel, and a few ancient monuments. This church, with nine carucates of land in Sulby (viz. as much land as may be tilled in a year with one plough), were given to the convent of

Sulby