LADY RACHAEL RUSSELL.* BY DINAH MARIA MULOCK. True Woman! worthy of that holiest name, Thou passedst through life's storms, serene and pure, Thou stoodest by Death's side, and, 'neath thy gaze, Thou didst not shrink from the dread parting hour, And when the storm had pass'd, and thou wert left, All shelterless, forsaken, and bereft ; Thou didst not die, but mad'st thine anguish deep By meek endurance lighter, till at length The dart that struck became a staff of strength! And unto honored age's calm decline Thy footsteps passed, still keeping evermore *Lady Rachael Russell, wife of Lord William Russell, who was unjustly executed for supposed treason, in 1683, survived that beloved and lamented husband forty years. Her heroism, firmness, and affectionate devotion during his imprisonment and trial, were only equalled by her attachment to the children whom he left behind. After a long life spent in the practice of all domestic virtues, Lady Russell died, still devoted to the memory of her beloved lord. MALVERN stands about eight miles west of Wor-height of the nave is 63 feet. The nave cester, near to a range of pleasant hills, the highest point of which is 1,444 feet above the level of the sea. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a spacious structure, in the form of a cross, with a lofty tower rising from the intersection of the nave and transepts. Two chapels, which have perished, one at the east, the other at the south, were once attached to it. It was purchased by the parishioners for £200 from serjeant Knotesford, into whose possession it had come, and made parochial. The ancient parish-church, dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle, stood at no great distance from it. is in the Norman style, with low massive piers and circular arches: the chancel is in the later English style, and is lighted by a fine range of clerestory windows, with elegant tracery. On each side of the chancel are placed the ancient stalls of the monks, the under part or sub-sella of each of which exhibits grotesque carvings in basso-relievo. Among them are the following subjects: 1. A man on his deathbed, with a priest at his head, and a doctor at his feet, to whom he is offering bags of wealth to secure their aid. 2. A monk driving away the devil. 3. A gardener holding a staff and garden-hook, with plants, &c., by his side. 4. A man with a basket of fruit on his right arm : in his left hand he holds up a pine. 5. A male figure sustaining a large goblet in each hand: on the table before him are the remains of a repast. 6. An angel playing on a cittern." "The more ancient parts of the fabric," says Neale, "which are principally confined to the massive columns and arches of the nave, are of early Norman architecture; but the rest of the building is in the pointed style of Henry VII.'s time. That munificent patron of the arts, sir Re- Near the altar on each side "are ranged a ginald Bray, K.G., who was a native of St. number of the curiously-inscribed tiles which John's, Worcester, was the architect; and under formed a part of the pavement of the ancient his superintendence the church assumed that ap-church, intermixed with others, on which the arpearance and character which have rendered it the morial bearings of divers benefactors were readmiration of every person conversant in elegant presented. Each tile is about five inches and a design and ingenious workmanship. Sir Re-quarter square in superficial extent, and nearly an ginald's great abilities, and his zealous attachment to the Lancastrian cause, occasioned him to enjoy the friendship of his sovereign; and Henry himself, his queen, and his family, are reported to have assisted him in renovating and embellishing this interesting pile. The painted and stained glass that formerly adorned the windows, and of which many beautiful specimens still remain, are in particular stated to have been executed at the charge of those illustrious personages." inch and a-half in thickness. They are mostly of a dark red or brown colour: the arms and letters have been impressed on them when soft, and the indents afterwards filled up with a different-coloure delay, as orange, &c." The inscription (in black letter) on the greater number of the tiles is as foHows: Malvern church had in the lapse of time become so dilapidated that in the year 1788 it is said "that it could not be used with either convenience or safety; the roof, when it rained, admitting much water; the seats being mouldy and decayed, the walls and floor dreadfully damp (for some parts of the church were subject to be flooded), That isand the ivy allowed to pierce through the broken windows, and cover a large portion of the east end of the fabric." In 1812, however, repairs were commenced; which were carried on by the rev. Dr. Card, when presented to the vicarage. The fabric has thus been put into a satisfactory state. "The tower, which rises to the elevation of 124 feet, is finely ornamented with a pierced battlement, and corresponding pinnacles. Elegant tracery adorns the windows; and the open work of the embattlements westward from the transept gives an agreeable lightness to the upper part of the walls. In the tower are six bells, and a set of chimes." On the north side there is a considerable descent to the church, from the irregularity of the ground. The north porch is very rich. The south side, as having been once concealed by the cloisters, is of a plainer character. The interior has a neat and impressive appearance: its length is 173 feet, and its breadth 63: the Thenke. mon. yi. liffe. mai. not. eu. endure. yat. yow. dost. yi. self. of. yat. yow. art. surre. but. yat, yow. gevist, un. to. yi. sectur. cure. and, eu. hit. availe, ye. hit. is. but. aventure. Think, man, thy life May not ever endure. Of that thou art sure; Unto thy executor's cure, It is but adventure. "Most, if not all, of the windows of this edifice were very richly embellished with painted glass, on which numerous subjects from scripture were depicted, and likewise the effigies of benefactors with their arms on their surcoats. Though much of it has been destroyed from culpable neglect and wilful devastation, there is still sufficient remaining to attest its original splendour; but the different series of historical representations are in every instance incomplete; and only a few of the portraits now exist." Nevil Peterson was but fifteen years of age | when he had lost his last surviving parent, and was left with only a few hundred pounds, alone, as it were, in the world. Early accustomed to the enjoyment of every luxury, the loss would have borne still more heavily on one of a less sanguine temperament; but Nevil, after a few natural tears, given to the memory of him who had been a father in little else beside the name, experienced a sort of boyish pride in being in future dependent on himself alone. As it happened, however, an attached, although humble friend of the family, possessing but small sympathy for such feelings, thought proper to write to the late Mr. Peterson's brother, a rich old bachelor, with whom, in consequence of some early disagreement, no intercourse had been held for many years, and state what had occurred, together with the friendless condition of the young Nevil. Peterson engaged to take upon himself the care of his future fortunes. "It is a bargain, then," said the youth, with a bright smile, as he clasped the hand of his new-found relative at parting, previous to returning to his studies. "Yes, yes; God bless you, my dear boy. I feel as certain of your performing your part of it as though it had already come to pass; and fear not for the rest." There were tears in the old man's eyes as he turned away; while his kind, trusting words inspired Nevil with strength and determination to fulfil them. During all the remaining years of his college life, Nevil Peterson had never once occasion to draw upon the resources so frankly and kindly offered: and the simple habits engendered by the voluntary privations which he had endured, preserved him from a thousand temptations. The proud, independent spirit of A few days afterwards, the letter was an- boyhood remained still unsubdued; nay, on the swered in person. Mr. Peterson appeared much contrary, had acquired new strength, and bestruck with the frank and noble bearing of his come mixed up with a whole host of crude and nephew, who was on his part equally delighted romantic notions. Nevil had turned poet! His with the old man's ready sympathy and cheer- leisure hours, which were few indeed, were thus ful kindness: and it was finally agreed that, at redeemed from less questionable relaxation, and Nevil's own wish, the little money he possessed devoted to the Muses, of whose gratitude their should be expended upon his education; after young worshipper had no reason to complain. which, if he were but diligent and steady, Mr. | And a little book of poems, published while at B |