ls and is almost
touched by the moors that lie immediately to the north. The Church has
already been described, and we have heard something of the strange story
of the ingenious methods for increasing his income of a former
curate-in-charge. Cropton occupies a position somewhat similar to that of
Newton, being on high ground with commanding views in all directions. The
little church is modern, but it has the stump of an ancient cross in the
graveyard, and commands a magnificent view towards the west and north. It
is in connection with this cross that a curious old rhyme is mentioned in
an old guide.

"On Cropton Cross there is a cup,
And in that cup there is a sup;
Take that cup and drink that sup,
And set that cup on Cropton Cross top."

There is a cottage on the east side of the street bearing the date 1695,
and the motto "Memento Mori," with the initials N.C., but more
interesting than this is one on the same side but at the southern end of
the village, and standing back more than the rest. This was used as a
madhouse at a time well remembered by some of the villagers. People from
Pickering and the surrounding district were sent here for treatment, and
I am told that the proprietor possessed a prescription for a very
remarkable medicine which was supposed to have a most beneficial effect
upon his partially demented patients. I am also told that this
prescription was given to one, Goodwill of Lastingham, who still possesses
it. Cropton is only a short distance from the Roman camps that lie all
surrounded and overgrown with dense plantations, so that it is impossible
for a stranger to discover their position unless he be lucky enough to
find some one close at hand to carefully describe the right track.

West of Pickering lies that long string of villages, generally less than
two miles apart, that extends nearly all the way to Scarborough. The first
point of interest as one goes towards Thornton-le-Dale from Pickering is
the grass-grown site of Roxby Castle, the birthplace of Sir Hugh Cholmley,
and the scene, as we know, of those conflicts between the retainers of Sir
Roger Hastings and Sir Richard Cholmley. The position must have been a
most perfect one for this ancient manor house, for standing a little
higher than the level ings and carrs of the marshy land, it was protected
from the cold northern winds by the higher ground above. From the top of
the steep hill west of the village, Thornton-le-Dale has