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HISTORICAL NOTICE OF

THE BOROUGH OF APPLEBY.

THIS ancient borough, the County-town of Westmoreland, received its Charter of Incorporation at a very early period of English history, its privileges having been confirmed by charters granted by King John, Henry III., Edward I., II., III., Henry VIII., Elizabeth, James I., Charles I. and James II.

In consequence of the inflexible loyalty of this town during the great Rebellion, Oliver Cromwell imposed upon it a charter of restrictions, which for a time, was enforced by a garrison. This restrictive charter was, however, annulled on the restoration of Charles the Second; which happy event was celebrated at Appleby, with great solemnity, pomp, and festivity, under the auspices of the noble Countess of Pembroke, who at that time occupied her Castle at Appleby, and who, aged as she was, "thought not her gates wide enough to receive her guests."

The Castle of Appleby, the seat of the Earl of Thanet, presents a most picturesque appearance, and, from its elevated site, commands, in every direction, views of surpassing beauty.

A hospital or alms-house, endowed by Anne, Countess of Pembroke, for the support of a certain number of widows, and having a chapel for daily prayers, stands a monument of the piety and liberality of that noble lady.

The Church of St. Lawrence, Appleby, is an ancient structure, and contains a beautiful monument to the memory of the Mother of the Countess Anne, who was so great a benefactor to the town of APPLEBY. This monument bears the following fine inscription :

"Who Fayth, Love, Mercy, Noble Constancie

To God, to Virtue, to Distress, to Right
Observ'd, Exprest, Shewed, Held Religiously,
Hath here, this Monument, Thou see'st in Sight,
The Cover of Her Earthly Part; But Passenger,
Know, Heaven and Fame Contayne the Best of Her."

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A SEQUEL TO

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MAUDE BOLINGBROKE.

CHAPTER IX.

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N the afternoon appointed for Mrs. Durant's visit, Mr. Manningford took his post by Maude's couch; not that he considered her unable to combat the arguments which might be offered by her popish friend, but because he dreaded any excitement which might ensue from the warmth of manner for which Mrs. Durant was somewhat remarkable. The varying of Maude's hectic colour, and the unnatural lustre of her eye, evinced the reasonableness of this fear; and Sophia felt her hand tremble as the step of their old acquaintance was heard in the hall. On Mrs. Durant's entrance, Maude endeavoured to rise, but the visitor hastily prevented this, and took the proffered chair by the side of the invalid. For several minutes no word was spoken. Mrs. Durant was much affected, as she gazed on the attenuated form before her; and tears dimmed her eyes as she found herself scarcely able to recognize any of the well-remembered traits of the once beautiful Maude Bolingbroke. Maude, however, felt, that time was precious; and when she had replied to the somewhat affectionate inquiries of her friend, she said

"Dear Mrs. Durant, I have very earnestly wished to see you again; and I felt that if I missed this opportunity, we might not-nay, we certainly should not-meet again on earth. I have been longing to tell you that I do not regret the great change which took place in my religious faith during my illness at Rome, after I had parted from you at Castellano."

"Oh! Maude," interrupted Mrs. Durant, "can it be so? I shed many tears when I heard of your lamentable apostacy; but I trusted, that now, when death, as you believe, is near, you would feel the insufficiency of the erring faith which you have resumed, and would return, ere too late, a humble penitent to the bosom of our Mother Church. Dear Miss Bolingbroke, you and I have spent many happy hours

together by all the affection which you once showed me, I implore you, even now at the eleventh hour, to return. I can only say RETURN; this is no time for argument."

"You say rightly," replied Maude; "it is too late now for disputation; indeed, disputation is unnecessary; but in this solemn hour, when no tongue can lie, no subterfuge avail, when the grave is open before me, and mortal life is ebbing away, I bear witness before God and before all men, that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Christ Jesus. I will not speak now, dear Mrs. Durant, of the errors of Romanism ; my failing breath will not allow it; but I tell you, that, standing on the threshold of eternity, with earth fading from my view, and the veil which hides the unseen world gradually disappearing, I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. The Rock on which I have built my hope of salvation, is firmer now than ever; the waves of Jordan may overflow their banks, but the Rock is secure, and that Rock is the Saviour, Jesus Christ; the only and ALL-SUFFICIENT Saviour of Sinners."

"Dear Maude,” replied Mrs. Durant, "I believe that you are most sincere, but oh, are you not mistaken? Is it possible that the way laid down by the holy Fathers of our Church can be erroneous and unsafe, when for generations it has been trod by the followers of our religion? May not your assurance be a delusion? Satan is ever busy."

"No!" murmured Maude, faintly; "oh! no; it is a clear, bright light guiding me to the heavenly shore; and day by day as I approach that shore, it waxes brighter and brighter."

"But," interrupted Mrs. Durant, anxiously," the light of the Church has guided many for ages; it cannot be safe to distrust it."

"The light of Mohammedanism and of Brahminism has done the same," answered Maude. "I cling to one Light only; the Light that cometh from God, revealed by his beloved Son. My only plea shall be, Jesus died to save sinners; I am a sinner; my only hope is in his blood and righteousness."

"Maude!" said Mrs. Durant, earnestly, "I cannot understand it; if you should be right, I am fatally wrong; and Annie? when she departed, was all thus clear with her ?"

"Clear as the noonday," answered Maude; "clear and calm as yonder glassy sea. I saw not the final struggle, but I stood by my sister's lifeless remains a few hours afterwards, and read in her marble brow the seal of

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