MAREHAM LE FEN,
In the Domesday book called Marun, and in old writings Marum, is about seven miles distant from Horncastle, and situated on the verge of the recently enclosed fenny district from whence it has received its appellation. The manor is the property of Sir Joseph Banks, by an ancestor of whom it was purchased, together with the three before mentioned manors, above a century ago. The manor house, which has for several years been occupied by Mr. James Roberts, possesses from its adjoining gardens, a considerable share of interest. Having accompanied Sir Joseph Banks, in the first voyage of Captain Cook round the world, Mr. Roberts has sought to associate with the rural simplicities of an English garden, such objects of curiosity as a pleasurable recollection of those scenes had furnished. In addition to numerous rustic and ornamental seats, the gardens are embellished with huts resembling those of Terra del Fuego and New Holland; and also a small museum of curiosities, principally from the South Sea islands. A visit to this spot is always an agreeable recreation. The following sonnet was written after a visit here, by a native of Jamaica.
Dear is the rural scene that Fancy loves,
Where tuneful Rapture chants th’ enliv’ning song,
In wildest warblings to the darkling groves,
Pouring in wildest mood the strains along;
While Echo, from the leafy bowers among,
Gives a soft cadence to the songster’s tale,
A mingled sweetness to the warbling throng,
That comes in whispers on the balmy gale.
These, Mareham, with thy spreading greenwood shade,
Thy silent waters, and thy mossy cell,
Breathe such a charm, that oft Delight has strayed,
With ling’ring steps, ’mid scenes she lov’d so well;
And when fond Mem’ry shall thy joys renew,
She’ll tell with musing voice her sweet, her last adieu.
The church consists of a tower, a nave with north and south aisles and a chancel. [49] In the chancel is a tablet to the memory of the Rev. Henry Shepherd, who was rector of this parish thirty-four years, and died in January 1764, aged 62. The advowson of the rectory belongs to the Bishop of Carlisle.