leges, that the dean, prebendaries, and sacrist of the free chapel of Wolverhampton, should be a corporation, and have a seal. This grant was confirmed by Elizabeth and James I. under which various ratifications the deans of Windsor have held, and at present possess, this ecclesiastical preferment; but have long been in the habit of leasing it to different individuals at the reserved rent of 381. per annum. The present lessee is Sir William Pulteney, bart.

The fine old church, disgraced by a chancel of modern architecture, placed upon the highest part of the town, is seen from afar. Its battlements command a wide range of view. Every thing within the structure bears the marks of antiquity;

the

the massive grotesque wood-work that support rood-loft; the curious octagonal font, rudely sculptured with figures of saints and representations of flowers; and the pulpit of stone, richly chisselled into arches and adorned with mouldings, which are ascended by a sweeping flight of steps, whose bottom is guarded by the figure of a large stone lion. Many old monuments also, and curious inscriptions, gratify the antiquary, whose taste leads him to this branch of research. Amongst other objects of curiosity is a fine brass statue of a warrior, standing in a recess of the south wall, large as life,

clothed in compleat armour, and bearing in his right hand a truncheon, the emblem of command; a brass plate beneath it informs us, that it commemorates Sir Richard Leveson, of Lelleshul in the county of Salop, who signalized himself in all the gallant actions performed in the reign of Elizabeth; in the defeat of the Armada, at the taking of Cadiz, and on other occasions of importance. The capture of Cadiz, you know, happened on the 21st of June 1596, under the command of Lord Howard, admiral, and the Earl of Essex, general; the latter of whom knighted upon the occasion above sixty persons. Of these, Sir Richard Leveson was one. The generosity of the conquerors at least equalled the gallantry displayed in the atchievement; for though the place was taken by storm, the slaughter immediately ceased on capitulation, and the prisoners were treated with the utmost humanity, kindness, and affection. It is not wonderful that such unexpected behaviour should make a strong impression upon the feeling character of the Spaniards, particularly on the sensibility of their too tender fair ones, many of whom formed a strong attachment to the generous victors. Gallant and noble, the character of Elizabeth's warriors, and withal extremely handsome, it is not surprising that Sir Richard Leveson should have been

favoured with the good opinion of some of the fair captives. Amongst these was a lady of high rank, immense riches, and great beauty, who candidly made him the offer of her person and fortune on the honourable terms of matrimony; a connection which our gallant youth was prevented from entering into by his being already married. The beautiful old ballad in Percy's collection, entitled the Spanish Lady's Love,' is said to have been written in consequence of the circumstance. It is so honourable a testimony in favour of the more lovely part of that nation, their sensibility, affection, and generosity, that I cannot forbear transcribing it:

"Will you hear a Spanish lady,

"How she woo'd an English man?

"Garments gay as rich as may be

"Deck'd with jewels she had on.

"Of a comely countenance and grace was she, "And by birth and parentage of high degree.

"By the liking of an eye.

"In his courteous company was all her joy,

"To favour him in any thing she was not coy.

"But at last there came commandment

"For to set the ladies free,

"With their jewels still adorned,

"None to do them injury.

"Then said this lady mild, "Full woe is me, "O let me still sustain this kind captivity!

"Gallant captain, shew some pity "To a lady in distress;

"Leave me not within this city,

"For to die in heaviness:

"Thou hast set this present day my body free,
"But my heart in prison still remains with thee."

"How should'st thou, fair lady, love me,

Whom thou know'st thy country's foe?
Thy fair words make me suspect thee:

Serpents lie where flowers grow.'

"All the harm I wish to thee, most courteous knight, "God grant the same upon my head may fully light.

"Blessed be the time and season,

"That you came on Spanish ground;

"If you may our foes be termed,

"Gentle foes we have you found:

"With our city you have won our hearts each one,

"Then to your country bear away that is

Rest you still, most gallant lady;
'Rest you still, and weep no more;

'Of fair lovers there are plenty,

your own."

'Spain doth yield you wond'rous store.'

"Spaniards fraught with jealousy we oft do find,

"But English men throughout the world are counted kind.

"Leave me not unto a Spaniard, "Thou alone enjoy'st my heart;

"I am lovely, young, and tender, “Love is likewise my desert:

"Still to serve thee day and night my mind is prest; "The wife of every English man is counted blest."

Any such without offence.'

"I'll quickly change myself, if it be so,

"And like a page will follow thee, where'er thou go."

'I have neither gold nor silver

To maintain thee in this case,
And to travel is great charges,

As you know in every place.'

"My chains and jewels every one shall be thy own,

"And eke ten thousand pounds in gold that lie unknown."

Many storms do there arise,

Which will be to ladies dreadful,

And force tears from watery eyes.' "Well in troth I shall endure extremity,

"For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee."

Courteous lady, leave this fancy,

Here comes all that breeds the strife;

I in England have already

'A sweet woman to my wife;

'I will not falsify my vow for gold nor gain,

Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain.'