Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/251

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town gives a title. It stands a little to the south of the town, upon a solid rock, lifting its august towers high above every neighbouring building. The approach to it is of the happiest kind, if it be allowed that the sudden display of the whole of a grand object be more impressive than its gradual developement to the eye, by partial disclosures and interrupted appearances. This is through a wind- ing hollow way, cut out of the rock, and judiciously planted and curved, so as to preclude any view of the castle for one hundred yards; till, reaching a turn, the awful structure is at once submitted to the astonished and delighted gaze; its gigantic en- trance flanked by embattled walls, from which lofty machiolated towers ascend; its walls cloathed in a solemn garb of ivy ; its deep moat dark with shrubs and noble trees, which root themselves at the foun- dation of the structure, and throw their broad arms over the gloomy dell. A belt of trees encircles this part of the grounds, compleatSy shuts out all meaner bindings, and only admits the beautiful tower of St. Mary's church, and the elegant spire of another place of worship.

Passing through the entrance, which formerly presented to the assailant a series oi passages, gates, and portcullisses, we found ourselves in the area where the residence ui: the family stands; a noble

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