At such a season it is impossible to behold from
afar the heights of Windsor, crowned, like the Phrygian goddess, by a
castled diadem, and backed by lordly woods, and withhold a burst of
enthusiasm and delight. And it is equally impossible, at such a season,
to stand on the grand northern terrace, and gaze first at the proud pile
enshrining the sovereign mistress of the land, and then gaze on the
unequalled prospect spread out before it, embracing in its wide range
every kind of beauty that the country can boast, and not be struck with
the thought that the perfect and majestic castle -
"In state as wholesome as in state 'tis fit Worthy the owner, and the
owner it,"-together with the wide, and smiling, and populous district
around it, form an apt representation of the British sovereign and her
dominions. There stands the castle, dating back as far as the
Conquest, and boasting since its foundation a succession of royal
inmates, while at its foot lies a region of unequalled fertility and
beauty-full of happy homes, and loving, loyal hearts--a miniature of the
old country and its inhabitants. What though the smiling landscape
may he darkened by a passing cloud!--what though a momentary gloom
may gather round the august brow of the proud pile! - the cloud will
speedily vanish, the gloom disperse, and the bright and sunny scene
look yet brighter and sunnier from the contrast.
Pages:
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301