"....let the sons of fire The genius of that modest bard despise, Who bade discretion regulate his lyre, Studious to please, but scorning to surprise; Enough for him, if those who shared his love Through life, who virtue more than verse revere, Here pensive pause, while circling round the grove, And drop the heart-paid tribute of a tear." Mason could do most things badly. His patron says of him:--"In the church there is a barrel-organ, upon which is set Mr. Mason's music for the responses to the Commandments, and his Sunday hymns. The adjoining flower-garden was formed by him, and he suggested the alterations on the north terrace. So that in a very small space we have specimens of his genius in music, painting" (the altarpiece of the church was his work), "and poetry; of his taste in improving the beauties of Nature; and what is most soothing to those who loved him, a proof that he applied his talents to the noblest purpose, that of celebrating the praises of Him from whom he received them." All this has only a little to do with the look of Nuneham Reach from the river. One may discern upon it perhaps the seal of Claude, of this and the other poet. It is so with all planted landscape. But apart from that, Nuneham, in its architecture of hill and wood and water, has the trick of the great places in Thames scenery. It is an early feat that promises Richmond. It is best to see Nuneham Reach from the railway bridge. From any other point it is necessary to see the bridge itself. Soon after its great achievement the river is claimed again by a distant spire. Above Nuneham the towers of Oxford linger, holding the landscape; for the rest of the way it belongs to St. Helen's at Abingdon. /D. S. MacColl/. [Illustration: DISTANT VIEW OF ABINGDON.] CHAPTER III. ABINGDON TO STREATLEY. Abingdon--The Abbey--St. Nicholas' Church--The Market Cross--The Ancient Stone Cross--St. Helen's Church--Christ's Hospital--Culham--First View of Wittenham Clump--Clifton Hampden--The "Barley Mow"--A River-side Solitude--Day's Lock--Union of the Thames and the Isis--Dorchester--The Abbey Church--Sinodun Hill--Shillingford Bridge--Bensington--The Church--Crowmarsh Giffard--Wallingford--Mongewell--Newton Murren--Moulsford--The "Beetle and Wedge"--Cleeve Lock--Streatley.