Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain e-bog

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. An interest of a very peculiar kind attaches to the Castles, Mansions, and Baronial Halls of England, of which every class in its own degree, and after its own fashion, is alike sensible. With the uneducated, as a mass, this generally appears linked with the supernatural, or with deeds of violence and bloodshed; the man of imagination has the same feeling but under a higher and more fanciful aspect. To abstract the mind, says Dr. Johnson, from all local emotion would be impossible if it were endeavored, and would be foolish if it were possible. Whatever withdraws us from the power of our senses; whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. Far from me and my friends be such frigid philosophy as may conduct us, indifferent and unmoved, over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona.<br><br>To the modern mansion belong attractions of an equal amount, but of a different nature. The most republican disposition has a natural, and we may therefore infer a praiseworthy, curiosity, to become acquainted with the site of great actions and the habits of illustrious characters. This kind of interest cannot fail to hang around most of our country Halls and mansions. Those who possess them are men placed in a position commanding either a general or a local reputation; - not infrequently, combining both. It is Wonderful to see what a strong hold these seats of the great and wealthy have upon the minds and affections of all who dwell in the same county.