circumference, of such grandeur as imagination only can conceive.

Proceeding down the vale, they came to Winch Bridge. Here the river, though its volume is increased by the accession of many subordinate streams, is collected into a narrow channel, and flows over two rocks into a deep gulph with vast tumult. Two chains being extended from rock to rock, a narrow bridge of wood is placed thereon, which to strangers appears tremendous. At every step, the chains and their superstructure yield and spring; yet there is no safeguard for the passenger, besides a small hand-rail, while beneath him yawns a black and horrid chasm, sixty feet deep. A person, as they were contemplating this place, in order to entertain, or perhaps astonish them, gave the bridge a swinging motion, and went on with the steadiness of a rope dancer.

"

They proceeded down the valley by Middleton, a small market town, irregularly built, on a rapid declivity; and, on their way from thence, had a view of those Elysian fields, at the conflux of the Balder and Tees, of which Mr. Arthur Young speaks in such enraptured terms. Unfortunately for us," says Mr. Hutchinson, "we had not dwelt under the happy meridian of Raby, nor drank of the cup of Comus, before we approached this place. We could perceive indeed a country blessed with the smiles of Providence, but cursed by the improvidence of man; fine lands lying waste, and the valley only half cultivated."

As they passed down the dale, the prospects were various and magnificent. The lands were fertile and watered by a noble river, and the emi. nences were clothed with pendent woods.

Passing by Egleston Bridge to Romaldkirk, at a little distance from the road, they had a prospect of Egleston Hall, placed on a romantic situation on

the banks of the Tees, under the declivity of lofty hills towards the south.

Romaldkirk makes a pretty appearance at a small distance. It is shrouded with trees, and shut in on every side by lofty hills. In the church is the recumbent effigy of a knight, said to represent Hugh Fitz-Henry, who died as he attended Edward I. in his Scotch expedition.

Several little pleasant villages line the banks of the Tees in the way from thence to Barnard Castle. This town lies in the bishoprick of Durham, on the descent of a hill, having the castle on the west. The buildings in general are elegant, and the principal street, which is spacious, is nearly half a mile long. The population is computed at four thousand persons.

The inclosed lands in the environs of the town are rich, and let for nearly five pounds an acre. Very extensive town-fields appertain to the place; and there is also a vast common of fine improvable land belonging to it, which might easily be converted into tillage.

Woollen goods, tammies, shags, crapes, and stockings, are manufactured here to a considerable extent; and the workmen have established some wise and benevolent societies for the relief of their members, when disabled by age or illness from fol lowing their ordinary avocations. These institutions cannot be too much praised: they not only relieve parishes, but they inspire the poor with a love of independence, and recal them from vicious indulgences, that they may not forfeit their privileges by a want of punctuality in discharging their subscriptions.

Barnard Castle is a place of great antiquity, and, in former ages, possessed many exclusive privi leges. It was the property of the Baliols, and still bears some vestiges of its original connection with

the Scotch. It is now one of the greatest corn markets in the north of England.

The outer wall of the castle incloses an area of near ten acres. The inner castle was defended by a deep moat and walls of massy strength. The part which owns the Baliols for its founders is almost totally fallen; but some of the more modern additions still exhibit proofs of their extent and style of architecture. The citadel, as it may be deemed, was once impregnable, as it stands on a perpendicular cliff, upwards of a hundred feet above the level of the river.

"In this town," says our author, "is retained the custom of dressing up a figure of Priapus on Midsummer-day; and I remember, in another part of this county, to have seen the festival of Ceres celebrated."

From Barnard Castle they proceeded to Athelstan Abbey, situated on an eminence near the river. The walls are much rifled, and just serve to distinguish that their original form was a cross. The east window is perfect, but here are no remaining monuments or inscriptions. Though antiquaries are not agreed on this point, it is probable that this abbey was founded by Athelstan in propitiation for his crimes against his brother. Indeed he was touched with so great remorse on this account, that, in one of his religious establishments, he underwent a seven years' penance.

A little beyond this place is a fine bridge of one arch, lately thrown over the Tees. It springs from two rocks the span is seventy-eight feet wide, and the elevation fifty-eight.

Nothing can be more picturesque and romantic than the views from this bridge: the river, in one continued cascade, falls within a narrow channel of rugged rocks; the banks are shaded with oaks, and form two august avenues, one terminated by

the church and part of the town of Barnard Castle, the other by Rookby Hall; whilst, in the foreground of this charming landscape, the solemn ruins of the abbey are happily disposed.

From thence they proceeded to Rookby Hall, a beautiful modern building, of veined free-stone, in the Italian style. It stands on a fine level lawn, at the conflux of the Greta and Tees. Nature has been most propitious here, and art has only been called in to attire her with grace.

Near Rookby was a Roman station, the vestigia of which are still very apparent between the Greta and a small brook, which has its confluence with that river within a few yards distance.

Rookby Hall is a repository of curiosities: it contains a large collection of antiquities in sculpture, statues, monuments, altars, vases, and inscriptions, too numerous to particularize, drawn from various. quarters of the globe. There are also some good paintings which decorate the apartments.

Opposite to this place lies Morton, on a lofty eminence. The great tower is a fine square structure, of hewn stone, with exploratory turrets on the corners: the rest of the fabric is converted into a farm house. By an inscription on the front, this appears to have been a religious establishment, but the founder is unknown.

Here our entertaining author takes his leave of us. The scenes he visited are calculated for a display of all the powers of description; and few will deny but that he has dipt his pencil in the strongest colours, and given a vivid beauty to his pic

tures.

TOUR

THROUGH SOME OF THE

MIDLAND COUNTIES,

INTO

DERBYSHIRE AND YORKSHIRE,

BY

WILLIAM BRAY, F. A.S.

PERFORMED IN 1777.

THE route Mr. Bray took was not a common one, and therefore he had the better opportunity of collecting fresh materials, and of making new observations. Some of the most picturesque scenes in the southern division of the island lay within the circuit of his tour; and, if his descriptions are less glowing than those of the author we last accompa nied, they certainly are not less just. A professed antiquary, he seems to have been more solicitous to display his skill in tracing the history of former times, than to delineate the existing state of the country, through which he passed. He has, however, paid no inconsiderable attention to the lastmentioned object; and as we consider that of most importance to our readers, we shall chiefly confine ourselves to his remarks in this respect.

"He," says Mr. Bray," who derives pleasure