The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-10-20

portioas ami IN rs furniture with the din.
ing-room. There are blocks and oaken "a
bles, worn through in cleaning vcnison and
other yiands for the Feast. The wide and
deep fireplace furnishes evidence, that
cooking was carried on upon large scale
and the ponderous crane and hooks still
hang in the chimney. On each side ofthe
| kitchen arc caphcious larders and pantries,
suited TO the profuse hospitality in the age
of the Vernon.
We were conducted successfully through
the sitting rooms, the bed chambers, and
| dancing hall, the walls of which are hung
and the tapestry curiously wrought by the
ladies' ef the ancient family with escutch-
cons of the Manners, and the Rutands
with the portraits of kings and heroes and
with many dusty paintings, chiefly scripture
Epieces. The assembly room is of compara-
tive recent origin. II was built in the time
of Elizabeth, three or four hundred years
after some part Of the Hall. X is sna-
mented with likeness ofthe virgin Queen,
and of Lady Grace Manners, atnt of the
first duke ofRutland. The floor is ofoak,
said to be made entirely from one tree, and
the circular flight of steps leading to it, Of
the roots. II sends back hollow echo to
the footsteps and to the voice; and as we
paced beneath its vaulted roof and by its
Gothic windows, through which the green
Ivy peeps, fancy recalled the scenes of
gaiety which were here once enioyed,
when music resounded through the hail.
and the beauties of the sixteenth century
led down the may dance.
The most ancient part Of the venerable
pile is the castle or tower, which was
erected in the time of king John. II has
battlement at top, for purposes OF defence.
| Ii is now in state of partial dilapidation,
some of the stone steps having fallen, and
their places being supplied with wood
We climbed 10 the very summit, which
commands view Of the rural valley Of the
Wye, and Of the surrounding country. IL
was nearly noon, and the landscape around
wore the stiffness and languar of a hot day.
The haymakers had sought the shade, and
the herds OF cattle the stream, for refresh
ment. Atour feet, the river, after passing
quietly beneath the arches of two stone
bridges, burries down rocky bed, forming
a beautiful cascade, the mprmurs of which
echo through the desolate apartments of
the hail. On the north, the prospect is
limited by the high ridge of land, on the
side Of which the edifce stands, and 10y
the grove of aged oaks, Gins, and yews
which cover its brow.
After remaining half an hour upon this
giddy and crazy monument of other ages,
where the foot treads with.involuntary eau
ton, being deserted by the guide, who is
too intirm to climb the flights of steps, we
grouped our way back through the wind
ing passages, rendered darker by having
our eyes dazzled with the splendid pros
pect above, and were conducted by the
Fortress. in waiting below, to the state bed
room.--The couch is htng with antique
tapestry, anA its ornaments are rich in
specimens of embroidery. Over the Ere
place is representation of 0rpheus,
chprming the listening woods with the
tones of his Tyre; ard the walls are adorn-
cd with variety Of pictures. Having
strong curiosity TO enjoy a moonlight view
from the tower, and to indulge in dream
of days gone by, we requested of the old
lady permission TO sleep night in Haddon
Hall, and to occupy the state-bed, if there
we're no particular objections She said
she would not do such a thing for the
world, although in her opinion one would
have no reason to fear the ghosts, which
same visiters supposed might haunt these
desolate halls.
We had fine promenade through the
pleasure grounds, enclosed with high walls,
and extending to the banks of the Wye,
where there is beautiful bower close by
the cascade. 1t is a cool and scquestered
retreat, its quiet being disturbed by no 9TH
er noise than the murmur Of the water
fall. Our guide gave each of us leave to
gather bouquet of the noss-rose, and other
flowers blooming in the ancient court, in
termingled with box, which was left there
Honc hundred and Fifty years ago, and yet
looks vigorous and thrifty. These fra
grant spols, fragile as they nre, have been
carefully preserved, and will be borne a
cross the Atlantic, as memorials of place
which probably Afforded us higher plea
sure. than its noble tenants ever enjoyed,
when the hall was the seat of hospitality,
music, mirth, and festivity."
ENGLAND FIFTY YE.aRS AGO.
In 20 years the people of Great Britain
have advanced full eight millions. In %
years, the number Of inhabited houses in
England and Wales alone have advanced
onc-half. Fifty years ago, the very exis-
tence of canals was a matter of ints seduhty.
Fifteen millions of public wealth have now
been protitably absorbed by those mighty
ducts; and ut least half az much more is Mt