Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/60

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poetry were poured out to excite to deeds of blood and rapine, the compositions themselves are now printing in a style and manner that would do honour to the best presses of the metropolis.

The grand ruin of the abbey, a beautiful speci- men of Anglo-Norman architecture, rises over the humble houses of the town, and shews itself from afar. David I. founded the monastery in 1128, and placed some Tyronensian monks in it, whose abbot was allowed the dignity of a mitre and pon- tifical vestments, an exemption from all episcopal jurisdiction, and a seat in the general councils. The west porch is richly moulded, and finely preserved. But the chief beauties of Kelso lie a little without the town, and consist of near views of infinite va- riety, and the most picturesque combination. These are best seen from the little suburb Cock-Hill, adjoining the town. To the right the prospect ter- minates with the grand woods of Fleurus-Park, in whose deep bosom the noble castellated seat of the Duke of Roxburgh reposes. The ancient ruined castle shews itself on a contiguous wooded hill. Carrying on the eye to the left, it next catches an elegant modern bridge of three arches, crossing the Tiviot, which unites his waters with the Tweed immediately beneath the feet, though the point of junction be almost hidden by a little

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