CARDINAL WOOLSEY.
{"newspaper_name": "The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
From an examination of the memorials OF
Richard III. we went to the ruins OF the
Abbey of St. Mary de Pratis, scarcely less
celebrated or less interesting, by being the
place where Cardinal Woolsey died. 1t is
half Il mile from the town, situated upon
little eminencc in the midst of an extensive
meadow, whence it's appellation is derived.
The wall of the spacious enclosure, contain
ing many acres remains almost entire. On
one side, it runs along upon the immediate
bank of the Soor, forming a high and roman
tic moat, with a curtain of ivy suspended IN
festoons from the ancient rampant to the
water, and mingling its trcsses with the
recdy margin OF the stream. Above, the
enclosure is bordered with trees and shrub
berry. The courts have been converted into
gardens for fruits, of which we partook,
seating ourselves iii the shade OF the rum
and of the yew, growing by the crnmbiing
walls. Time has made but few inroads
upon the northern section, near the middle
Of which was the grand entrance, under
ofty arch At this gate, Cardinal Noolsey,
in state of penury and decrepitude, herett
Of his honours by the sudden reverses OF for
tune, deprived Of his eight hundred attend
ants, sick and solitary, riding upon a mule,
made application for admission, and was re-





cat last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester,
Lodged in the abbey, where the reverend abbot,
With all his convent, honouraby received HIM
To whom he gave these words; so i'ther abbot,
An old man, broken with the storms Of state,


is come to lay his weary bones among yci


GIVE him u little earth for charity"


This passage from Shakespeare is as true
| to history. as to nature. Here the Cardinal
terminated his misfortunes soon after his ar
rival, a melancholy example OF fallen aml'i'
ton, and of the wretchedness of that mar
who hangs On princes tavors. No traces o.
his tomb can De found, and it is uncertain
where he was buried. There is a tradition
at Leicester, that his remains were Inferred
in the church Of St. Margaret, standing ii
the town just on the margin of the meadow


and that all the inmates Of the abbey walk


ed in procession. with lighted fambeau'


and all the solemn pomp of woe, to pay thu


last honors to the relics of a man, to whose


necessities they had charitably ministered
Mr. Carers Correshondence.