atic devices, and the heraldic coats of four of the principal families, to whom the Astons were allied; viz. Montfort, Freville, Byron, and Walsh. In the centre, is a buffalo's head, on a wreath, which was the ancient family crest; and in other interstices, are represented barrels, or tons; which, from the circumstance of their being placed in the east window, were probably meant as an allusion to the derivation of the family name: Aston, or Eston, from East-town. All these embellishments are beautifully executed.
The walls of two smaller rooms are likewise still standing; but they have now no roof but the thick branches of the ivy, and no floor but its fallen leaves. The space between the ruins and the modern house, is covered with a soft mossy turf, which in my childhood was strewed over with fragments of the ancient building. Nothing can be more delightful, than to contemplate, in the different seasons of the year, or at different times of the day, the mingled effects of light and shade among these dilapidated, ivied walls. But, above all, on a clear, moonlight night, when all around is still, and when the recollections, and emotions, which such a scene is calculated to excite, are awakened, and exalted by the solemn, congenial serenity of the nocturnal heavens, it is then that fancy and feeling will exert their influence, and take full possession of the mind and heart.
Such emotions, such recollections, I have endeavoured to express in the following Poem.
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