Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/19

 castle; and Blagdon-Grange, the elegant seat of Sir Matthew W. Ridley, five miles further to the north. With this all ornamental scenery ceased, till we descended into the pleasing town of Morpeth, seated so snugly in a deep valley as not to unfold its beauties till it be nearly entered. These chiefly arise from the river Wanspek, who plays round the town in a sweeping direction, throwing up his well-wooded banks into the most picturesque forms. The small remains also of its old castle, being to the south of the town, give rise to a pleasing association of ideas, and testify the former importance of the place. But whatever its consequence might have been in ancient times, it certainly is fairer pretensions to the gratitude of society at present than at are former period; Since the cattle-market of Morpeth yields only to that of Smithfield, in the quantity of beasts exposed for sale every Wednesday. Time, four, and five thousand sheep are frequently exhibited here on market-days, and an equal proportion of black cattle; which, purchased by butchers forty-four, fifty, or sixty miles for the purpose, are driven up the country as far as Yorkshire; it again disposed of at Wakefield market, feed an immense district to the westward of that town population of Morpeth is about four thousand.