150                PLACES AND JPEOPLE  ABROAD.     -
t
were shown a stone coffin which had been found near the
high altar, when the workmen were excavating the vault
intended by Lord Byron for himself and his dog. The
coffin contained the skeleton of an abbot, and also the
identical skull from which the cup of which I have
made mention was made. We then left the building,
and took a stroll through the grounds. After passing a
pond of cold crystal water, we came to a dark wood, in
which are two leaden statues of Pan, and a female satyr
— very fine specimens as works of art. We here in-
spected the tree whereon Byron carved his own name
and that of his sister, with the date, alj of which are still
legible. However, the tree is now dead, and we were
informed that Colonel Wildman intended to have it cut
down, so as to preserve the part containing the inscrip-
tion. After crossing an interesting and picturesque part
of the gardens, we arrived within the precincts of the
ancient chapelf near which we observed a neat marble
monument, and which we supposed to have been erected
to the memory of some of the Byrons ; but, on drawing
near to it, we read the following inscription :
" Near this spot ere deposited the Remains of one who possessed Beauty without
Vanity, Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, and aU the Virtues
of Man without his Vices. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if In-
scribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a
Dog, who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803, and died at Newstead Abbey,
Nov. 18,1808.
" When some proud son of manjeturns to earth,
Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,
The sculptured art exhausts the pomp of woe,
And storied urns record who rests below ;