Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-14
WARWICK CASTLE ENGLAND.


"Times gradual touch
Has moulder'd into beauty many a tower,
Which, when it frown'd with all its battlements,
Was only terrible"
"Few monuments Of feudal grandeur are
more dignihed or interesting than Warwick
castle. This magnificent structure stands lit
tie 10 the south of the town of Warwick, on a
rock 40 feet high, at the base of which flows
the river Avon. The foundress was Elhelheda,
daughter Of king Alfred who constructed many
fortified recesses in various parts Of the king
dom.
The size Of Warwick castle, as described by
Brewer, was well adapted to the purposes CT
defence, while the romantic landscapes on eve
ry side rendered it peculiarly delightful. The
prospects around are of the most picturesque
description. The windings Of the Avon, the
majesty of ancient woods, and the gentle alter
nation of hill and dale, unite to charm and ele-
yate the fancy.
1t is pleasing to note the progressive refine
ment evident in the different architectural fea-
lures of Warwick castle. The foundress, tho
the daughter Of the potent Alfred, was content
ed with solitary tower, erected on the appre-
hensive elevation Of a noun, The embattled
gateway, and lofty turrets Of Guy, earl Of the
castle in the reign Of Edward III. and his sue
cessor, proclaims the chivalric spirit and mag
nihcent notions-of that era; while the splendid
alterations of Sir Fuik Greville denote the Ii
beral views Of the age Of Elizabeth and James,
combining interior elegance and comfort, with
massive external grandeur.
During the former period, the luxury Of glass
windows was seldom known IN private dwell
ings, light being admitted through frames of
fine linen or wooden lattices. The furniture
was mean; the arts of embroidery and weaving
were known, but their products were dedicated
to the establishment Of places devoted TO reli
gious worship.
Boisterous mirth and. revelry, and intempe-
rate merriment, formed the great sources Of
enjoyment. The table was simply spread with
substantial Joints, merely roasted or boiled, and
the carousers were careful that no one had
more than his due share Of the hagon.
But the choicest part consisted in the strains
Of the minstrels, who constantly waited in the
banqueling rooms Of thelsreat, Music, though
essential to the lordly festival, was not practis-
ed by females Of that day; letters were unknown;
the ar, Of painting was in the hands of but few,
and those few employed by abbots and bishops
for consecrated uses. The only escape from
idleness for the ladies of rank, and the only re-
source against the phantasies OF superstition,
was found in the needle. The lady Ethelheda
is pictured at the embroidery frame, "her fine
linen mantle, which covered her whole person,
thrown over her, and fastened on the. right
shoulder ~ button, or breach, her hair flow
ing in long and graceful ringetS down her back;
conjuring up semblances Of nature in glowing
threads of party colored beauty, and dazzling
the eye with mimic princes, In robes OF gold
and silver"
This noble castle presented different aspect
in the l4th century. The chambers OF baro-
NAL mansions had now gained a comparative
ly SPLENDID accession of ornaments. The num-
Der of artists had sufficiently increased to al
low the use of paintings in the dwellings OF the
great Whole rooms were adorned by the pen
Gil, or hung with valuable tapestry. Goblets
were no longer composed Of horn, but costly
vessels Of gold or silver atounded on the tables
OF the afi1uent.
With the plainness OF their predecessors the
English Of the l4th century appear to have
banished a great portion Of the intemperance
which dissraced the earlier periods The spi-
rit Of chivalry had taught the youthful knights
to respect the beauty 10 which their proves
was dedicated, and romantic gallantry happily
supplanted the revels of barbarism.
In these ages, dancing first enlivened the vast
halls of the baron's residence, in addition 10
which "the heightened mime," the masquerade
and pageant, all contributed to promote atten-
ton to females, and thereby to ameliorate the
manners, and elevate the character of the ma
ton.
The sports of the field were deemed most
honorable indications of nobility. Theatrical
pageants, jousts, and tournaments, attended eve
ry period of festivity. During these festivals
the immense halls were hung with antique ia
pestry, and long tables were prepared for the
banquet. The baron, with great state, assum-
ed his place, while the usher seated the more
elevated guests in due rotation, above the mas
siVe salt cellar Of silver, which, divided the vi
sltants OF quality from those who were not en-
| tilted to share in the familiarity of the chief
tain. "After the banquet, the guests adjourn
to the hall set apart for dancing. And, now,