visit draws to a close--Bess broken-hearted--We leave for the seaside 280 INDEX 323 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS TO FACE PAGE WENLOCK ABBEY IN 1778 _Frontispiece_ _From an engraving after a drawing by Paul Sandby, R.A._ THE ABBEY FARMERY } 18 } THE CLOISTER GARDEN } _From photographs by kind permission 32 } of Messrs. F. Frith & Co., Ltd._ THE RED WALLED GARDEN } 62 WENLOCK ABBEY IN 1731 94 _From Buck's view._ "MOUSE" AT HOME } } _From photographs by Miss Gaskell_ 114 "MOUSE" ON A VISIT } THE CHAPEL HALL 132 _From a photograph by Miss K. Wintour._ SIR THOMAS BOTELAR'S HOUSE 152 _From a photograph by Mr. W. Golling._ THE ABBEY RUINS 174 _From a photograph by kind permission of Messrs. F. Frith & Co., Ltd._ NEST OF GREENFINCH { } { _From photographs by kind permission of_ } 186 NEST OF RING-OUZEL { _Mrs. New._ } RUINS OF WENLOCK ABBEY IN 1778 202 _From an engraving after a drawing by Paul Sandby, R.A._ THE LAVABo 224 _From a photograph by Mr. W. Golling._ THE OLD GUILDHALL 246 _From a photograph by kind permission of Messrs. F. Frith & Co., Ltd._ THE ORATORY 264 _From a photograph by Mr. W. Golling._ CHAPTER HOUSE AT WENLOCK { _From photographs by kind permission } 292 { of Messrs. F. Frith & Co., } OLD WENLOCK TOWN { Ltd._ } 304 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SPRING IN A SHROPSHIRE ABBEY CHAPTER I _JANUARY_ Here, winter holds his unrejoicing court, And through his airy hall the loud misrule Of driving tempest is for ever heard. THOMSON'S _Seasons_.