CONTEMPLATION,

OR

A CHRISTIAN'S WANDERINGS

BY

WILLIAM VIVIAN,

OF TOR, Devon.

"Rude thought runs wild in Contemplation's field."

ENTERED AT STATIONERS' HALL.

YOUNG.

LONDON:

SIMPKIN, MARSHALL AND Co.;

HAMILTON AND ADAMS; BALDWIN AND CRADOCK:
SOLD IN EXETER BY HANNAFORD, ROBERTS, BALLE AND OTHERS:
BATH; RIVIERE, UNION STREET: PLYMOUTH; BY NETTLETON,
AND ROWE: TORQUAY; BY COCKREM, AND DOORNE.

MDCCCXXXVI.

736.

[COCKREM, PRINTER, TORQUAY.]

TO THE

INVALID VISITORS OF TORQUAY,

THIS LITTLE VOLUME

IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,

in the sincere hope that they may be enabled by the Giver of all grace and consolation, to participate in the peace and comfort so mercifully extended to the author, during a period in which he was taught to sympathize with those who are afflicted by a "body of sin and death," and to desire earnestly that the passing hour of their chastening, may be their entrance (by the sovereign mercy of the blessed Father of Spirits,) into His own holy and eternal rest. Hosea, ii. 15.

Tor, December, 1835,

CANTO I.

I.

The circling year again with steady course
Renews its infant days; enlivening Spring
Swells into form respiring Nature's force,
And softly waking spreads her fragrant wing,
Upborne by gentle Zephyrs; bids them sing
Her welcome triumph o'er stern Winter's powers,
And shew her azure banner brightening

Above the cold dark cloud where still he lowers

To blight the tender buds of her too forward flowers.

B