_Our respects to the beauties of Knaresbro' &c._ _Verse
342._--Knaresbro' is a considerable Town, situated on a rock almost
encompassed by the river Nidd. Near the town are the ruins of an ancient
magnificent castle built soon after the Conquest, and in one side of a
neighbouring rock is a cell where an hermit lived, still called St.
Robert's Chapel. The altar is cut out of one piece of solid rock, and on
it are engraved the figures of three heads, supposed to represent the
Trinity. This Robert founded himself a new order of monks, called
Robertines, but it is probable that they soon diminished to nothing, as
we do not meet with their name either in the Breviary or Baronius.
But the greatest curiosity at Knaresbro' is the petrifying spring
commonly called the Dropping-Well. This natural curiosity is a spring
that rises about two miles from the town, and after running above a mile
under ground, comes to the top of a rock sixteen feet high, after which
it drops through in fifty or sixty places into a bason below, formed by
nature for its reception. Every drop has something of a musical sound as
if it were small stones falling on brass, and near it are many pieces of
moss reduced to a state of petrefaction; there is a fine walk on one
side of the well shaded with tall trees that makes the whole extremely
delightful.
_Extract from British Traveller, page_ 621.
To this brief extract the Editor begs leave to add, that the
finest views of this singularly beautiful place are obtained
from the Low-bridge, the road leading to the Upper-bridge, and
the fields which are nearly opposite the castle; the variety of
cottages and the beautiful knolls of bold and herbaged rock
which every where intersect the scenery, render it the most
picturesque and interesting which can be found in so short a
compass. But though much beauty may be discovered in a few hours
at Knaresbrough, yet its charms will not be exhausted by the
residence of a long life.
_To Plumpton proceeded, &c. v. 374._--This beautiful spot is rendered
extremely attractive to the visitors at Harrogate, not only on account
of its intrinsic merit, but its vicinity, as it is scarcely three miles
distant from High Harrogate. Plumpton is always most admired by those
who have seen it most frequently, being more pleasing than striking; it
is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays; on the road from Plumpton
a fine view of the Honourable Mr. Gordon's magnificent new mansion in
Rudding Park is obtained.
_Editor's Note._
_To Harewood I went the first day I could, v. 380._ This splendid
mansion can be seen only on Saturdays; it is justly considered an object
of admiration as it unites elegance with grandeur, and utility with
beauty.
_Editor's Note._
_To Studley, &c. v. 389._--The celebrated grounds of Studley have long
enjoyed a pre-eminence of fame among the northern beauties; their
characteristics are magnificence, uniformity, and neatness. The
stateliness of the trees and the luxuriance of their foliage is
unequalled, and combines with the smoothness of the water and the "clear
smooth shaven green," which surrounds it, to impress on the mind a sense
of repose rather than an emotion of surprise. In its own style, Studley
is perfect, and can never fail to delight, though it may be unable to
astonish.
_But who hallow'd Fountains, &c. v. 393._--The magnificent ruin of
Fountains Abbey included in the grounds of Studley, is an object of
delight and veneration in the highest degree, and will in the eye of an
artist be rendered still more so when it shall have become farther
dilapidated; the first view of it from the grounds of Studley is
extremely commanding and striking, but as a ruin it is more beautiful
and interesting in the interior views; the extent of the church and the
monastery and its offices conveys a clear idea of the power and state
enjoyed by the Benedictine monks, who resided here in all the dignity of
honour and the luxury of wealth--the dining-room and kitchen of the
higher orders and the refectory of the lower, bespeak the richness of
their revenues and their princely method of disposing of them. The
trees, shrubs, and foliage intermingled with these extensive ruins, are
the principal source of its beauties, being combined and contrasted with
the mouldering arches and nodding towers in every possible form; of
these the ivy and wild currant are the most prominent.
_Editor's Note._
_See the Unicorn send us all merry to Newby, &c. v. 483._--Newby-hall
the seat of Lord Grantham, is most remarkable for possessing a very fine
Gallery built after the model of the Florentine Gallery so long the
pride of the civilized world; it contains many fine statues and three
sarcophagi, although the largest alone appears to have attracted the
attention of Mr. Blunderhead, who it is plain had but little knowledge
or taste in works of art.--The tapestry in the drawing-room is
considered incomparably fine, but the author has undoubtedly a very
handsome and sufficient excuse for leaving it so abruptly.
_Editor's Note._
_Oh then might I sing lovely Hackfall, v. 453._--To those who seek in
landscape gardening for the wilder features of nature harmonized yet
unsubdued by art, this sequestered vale will present an exquisite treat
and afford to the contemplative mind a scene of such deep retirement and
romantic seclusion adorned with objects of such exquisite and concentred
beauty as must meet the eye ere they can be appreciated by the
imagination, which may people these fairy regions with every object of
terror, or delight with equal propriety.
_Editor's Note._
_We went to the Minster, v. 505._--The Minster at Rippon is a fine
gothic structure, it formerly contained a narrow passage called the
Needle of St. Wilfred, used by the monks as an ordeal for female
purity.--The Bone-house contains many thousand skulls, and is generally
shewn as a curiosity.
_Editor's Note._
_Fam'd Brimham rocks, &c.--v._ 1009.--These prodigious masses of natural
rock, together with a druidical temple near them, form one of the
objects of curiosity in this neighbourhood; they are distant about
eleven miles.
_Editor's Note._
_To view the fine grounds and the ruins of Bolton. v. 1011._--Bolton-Priory
stands upon a beautiful curviture of the Wharfe, on a level sufficiently
elevated to protect it from inundation, and low enough for every purpose
of picturesque effect.--In the latter respect it has no equal among the
northern houses, perhaps not in the kingdom.--To the south all is soft
and delicious, the eye reposes upon a few rich pastures, a moderate
reach of the river sufficiently tranquil to form a mirror for the sun,
and the bounding fells beyond neither too near, nor too lofty, to
exclude even in winter any considerable portion of his rays.
But after all, the glories of Bolton are on the north, whatever the most
fastidious taste could require to form a perfect landscape, is not only
found here, but in its proper place; in front and immediately under the
eye, is a smooth expanse of park-like inclosure, spotted with native
elm, ash, &c. of the finest growth; on the right a skirting oak wood
with jutting points of grey rock; on the left a rising copse, still
forward are the aged groves of Bolton-park the growth of centuries, and
further yet the barren and rocky distances of Simon Seat and Barden
Fell, contrasted with the warmth, fertility, and luxuriant foliage of
the valley below--about half a mile above Bolton-Priory the valley
closes, and either side of the Wharfe is overhung with deep and solemn
woods, intermingled with huge masses of perpendicular rocks which jut
out at intervals.
This sequestered scene was inaccessible till of late, when under the
judicious direction of the Rev. W. Carr, B. D. Rector of Bolton-ridings,
were cut in the woods, and the most interesting parts laid open to the
eye, at the request of the noble proprietor, His Grace the Duke of
Devonshire. _Extract from Dr. Whitaker's history of Craven._
_Howl o'er the Strid, &c.--v. 1085._--In the deep solitude of the woods
above Bolton, the Wharfe suddenly contracts itself to a rocky channel
little more than four feet wide, and pours through the tremendous
fissure with a violence proportioned to its confinement. The place is
called the Strid from a feat sometimes exercised by persons of great
agility and little prudence, who skip from brink to brink regardless of
the destruction which awaits a faltering step. An accident caused by
this rashness has given a dreadful and sensible interest to this awful
spot, in addition to the commending one it has received by nature, and
which is immediately connected with the records of Bolton.
In the 12th century, William Fitz Duncan at the command of David King of
Scotland, who was besieging Narham, laid waste this part of Yorkshire
with fire and sword, committing every species of cruelty which barbarity
could suggest, and humanity deplore. In fourteen years after, David
established him by force in the domain he had impoverished, and he
married Aaliza daughter and heiress of William de Meschines a
neighbouring Earl. They had a son commonly called the Boy of Egremont
(from one of his grandfather's baronies where he was born) and who
surviving his eldest brother became the sole hope of his family.
This youth in his sixteenth year, inconsiderately bounding over this
terrific chasm with a greyhound in his leash, the affrighted animal hung
back and drew his unfortunate master into the torrent.--The forester who
accompanied young Romille (the Boy of Egremont) returned to the Lady
Aaliza, and with a despairing countenance said, "What is good for a
bootless bene?" to which the mother apprehending some great calamity had
befallen her son, answered, "endless sorrow."--The language of this
question proves the antiquity of the story; its meaning appears to have
been, what remains when prayer is useless.
This fatal accident induced the Lady Aaliza to translate the Priory of
Embsay, founded by her parents from thence to Bolton on account of its
proximity to the scene of her son's deplorable death.
_Dr. Whitaker's history of Craven_.
N. B. Six fine coloured prints of views in Bolton have been published
from original pictures painted on the spot, by T. C. Hofland, among
which is an admirable representation of the Strid.
_Farewell to your Doctors, &c.--v. 1180._--Mr. Blunderhead was
undoubtedly right in this observation, as perhaps not one watering place
can boast medical men of equal ability and liberality, affording so
striking a contrast with those "condemn'd to endless fame," by the
memoirs of his celebrated uncle.
Finis.
G. Wilson, Printer,
Market-Place, Knaresbrough.
=Transcriber's Notes:=
original hyphenation, spelling and grammar have been preserved as in
the original
Page 16, 'objection she pleases.' changed to 'objection she pleases."'
Page 17, "off their glasses" changed to "off their glasses,"
Page 30, "&c &c. &c." changed to "&c. &c. &c."
Page 44, "long winded epistle," changed to "long winded epistle."
Page 63, "&c. &c. &c" changed to "&c. &c. &c."
Page 69, "all grasping desires" changed to "all grasping desires,"
Page 76, "&c. &c. &c" changed to "&c. &c. &c."
Page 84, "will behold" changed to "will behold,"
Page 87, "Chalybeate spring" changed to "Chalybeate spring."