ost, which protrudes beyond the
rest, and at the bottom of which is the grand gate, is by far the
bulkiest. A noble edifice it looked, and to my eye bore no slight
resemblance to Windsor Castle.

Seeing a kind of ranger, we inquired of him what it was necessary for us
to do, and by his direction proceeded to the southern side of the castle,
and rung the bell at a small gate. The southern side had a far more
antique appearance than the western; huge towers with small windows, and
partly covered with ivy, frowned down upon us. A servant making his
appearance, I inquired whether we could see the house; he said we could,
and that the housekeeper would show it to us in a little time but that at
present she was engaged. We entered a large quadrangular court: on the
left-hand side was a door and staircase leading into the interior of the
building, and farther on was a gateway, which was no doubt the principal
entrance from the park. On the eastern side of the spacious court was a
kennel, chained to which was an enormous dog, partly of the bloodhound,
partly of the mastiff species, who occasionally uttered a deep
magnificent bay. As the sun was hot, we took refuge from it under the
gateway, the gate of which, at the further end, towards the park, was
closed. Here my wife and daughter sat down on a small brass cannon,
seemingly a six-pounder, which stood on a very dilapidated carriage; from
the appearance of the gun, which was of an ancient form, and very much
battered, and that of the carriage, I had little doubt that both had been
in the castle at the time of the siege. As my two loved ones sat, I
walked up and down, recalling to my mind all I had heard and read in
connection with this castle. I thought of its gallant defence against
the men of Oliver; I thought of its roaring hospitality in the time of
the fourth Sir Thomas; and I thought of the many beauties who had been
born in its chambers, had danced in its halls, had tripped across its
court, and had subsequently given heirs to illustrious families.

At last we were told that she housekeeper was waiting for us. The
housekeeper, who was a genteel, good-looking young woman, welcomed us at
the door which led into the interior of the house. After we had written
our names, she showed us into a large room or hall on the right-hand side
on the ground floor, where were some helmets and ancient halberts, and
also some pictures of great personages. The floor was of oak