oldest houses in the county, was formerly as before
said, the residence of the noble family of Braose, this truly romantic
structure is situated a little to the south east of the town, of which it
is one of the chief objects of interest. The unfortunate Thomas duke of
Norfolk, who fell a victim to the malignant jealousy of Queen Elizabeth,
was apprehended here, A.D. 1571. It is said that the papers concealed by
Higford, and which led to his conviction, were discovered under the roof
of this building. Several apartments of very spacious dimensions, but of
whose existence the inhabitants were totally ignorant, were discovered
through accident, by a maid servant about 20 years since. The chapel now
used as a wash-house, is still quite perfect, and of great height:
several niches for the statues of saints, and receptacles for holy water,
may be discovered in the sides: through the falling of part of the wall,
a few years ago, several Roman coins were dug up, from which
circumstance, it has been by some persons imagined, that the place was
originally a Roman villa.

To the west of the town, is Hills place, or rather the remains of an
elegant residence, so called; it was formerly the property of the lords
Irvine, and was considered a very handsome specimen of the domestic
architecture of the age, in which it was erected. It was taken down a
few years since, and no vestige left to mark its site, save the remnants
of a farm house in existence before the building of the mansion itself,
and part of a wing added to the structure, on the marriage of lord
William Ingram, one of the family.

[Picture: Hills place, 1787]

In one of the upper rooms, is a venerable escocheon, with the motto "In
coelo quies," serving to exclude the wind from the antique chamber.

On a lofty eminence denominated Denne hill, the visitor may obtain a very
beautiful view of the town of Horsham, with its adjacent hills behind,
the interesting church appears by far the most conspicuous object in the
wide extended landscape, while the small and winding branch of the river
Arun, which takes its rise in the adjacent forest of of St. Leonard,
contributes not a little to heighten the beauty, and diversify the scene,
of this truly delightful and extensive prospect.

At a short distance from the spot where this romantic view may be
obtained, the ivied tower, and venerable battlements of Denne house,
proudly rise upon the sight. The sp