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Bishop Flambard to the monastery of Durham, subject to the life of Godric; and continued part of its possessions till the Reformation, when its revenues amounted to 147l. per annum. Its ruins are considerable, many of them intelligible; and being sprinkled with ivy, and accompanied with surrounding wood, rock, and water, the whole would form a scene strictly picturesque, were it not spoiled by a modern-built farm-house attached to them, which throws out a contemptible little bow-window towards the furious stream that rushes impetuously over its rocky bed, immediately at the foot of the building. Perched up amid the venerable remains, this combination presented a good sample of modern coxcombry and affectation, contrasted with old-fashioned simplicity and sincerity; and with all that self-importance which generally accompanies intrinsic littleness, appeared to consider the attention and regard paid to its solemn associates, as a tribute due at least equally to itself; reminding us of the conceited cock in your favourite epigram:
" A cock, within a stable pent,
Was strutting o'er great heaps of dung;
And aye, as round and round he went,
The mettl'd coursers madly flung:
" Bravo!" cries he, " a decent noise;
" We make a tolerable pother;
" But, let's take care, my merry boys,
" We tread not upon one another."
