Litchfield enquirer., 1846-12-03
An old English Castle.

the banks of the river Wye, August 81 give
the following interesting description Of ont
of the strong holds of the English Barons il
olden times:
"The mouth of the Wye, like tina
of the Avon. is not distinguished by any
commanding characteristics. 1t is not un.
til the traveller has threaded it up among
its majestic highlands, that he finds himself
surrounded with scenery which, alternating
between picturesque beauty and wild grand
eur, think can hardly be surpassed, ifeven
cqalled, by anything of Natures hand work
in England. Chepstow, at the head of steam
navigation on the river, is the scene of the
first monument of antiquity which inlrodu.
ces the tourist to the lions of the valley
You ascend to it from the channel Of the riv-
er, out of deep chasm between a perpen-
dicular wall of rock on one side and an ac-
clivitous one on the other; on the e1ge of
which the town commences, extending back
nearly 10 the summit ola fertile hill.
The first sight of Chepstow Castle more
than realized all my conceptions of.hese an
cient structures. 1t was the first one had
seen since my arrival in England, and l
"dlhCU dIOuuu lLS duU (OuutCu IkS tV"CISs
bastions and bulwarks, with the best relish
of admiration. The eastern end, fronting
the river, presents the most imposing aspect.
As you approach it ON this side, up gentle
ACTIVITY carpetted with the greenest grass,
the massive towers Of impresnable strength,
which defended the portal, stand frownins
upon you like knighted rocks with their vi
zors up, keeping armed vigils over the dis
mantled fortress of ancient time. The ev-
er!asting ivy had hung its thick green cur
tain over the old rough walls, climbing the
tallest tower End fastening its network of
foliage around the cankered .op-stones. And
yews nearly as old as the castle braided their
whitney sinews around the towers: and climb
ed up to Look in at the port holes. Old Eng
lish oaks, walnuts, and other ancients Of the
wood stood around like pail bearers Of an
tiquity, full Of mute and mournful gloom.
Icould hardly clear my mind Of Giant De.
spail's Doubling Castle, as applied In iron
knocker TO the head Of bolt in The la.ticed
gate. 1t was soon opened by bright, in
,elligent lad, who conducted me over the rn-
ms. The first scene that met my eye was
large square or court, we'll shaded and car.
pelted with fine ,lawny grass, where once per-
haps knights of the Crusades had marshall
ed and harrangued tleir armed serfS, for
bloody pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A ST.
lent sabbath OF ages had rested upon it
There it was, gloomy MUSCLES island OF
green walled in from the light that shone up
on busy life, The very sunbeams that
came through the ivy tapestry looked sad
and pensive upon the ground, covering ii
with kind of tomb-light. The lad took
me first into the kitchen of the castle, in the
northern wall, whose chimneys are places
conformed in size TO the magnitude OF their
service, aud suggested the size Of the pots
and kettles that were employed in cooking
for the host that fed daily at the baroniAl ia
Bile. Adjoining this apartment was the Gel
lar, with its heavy archway opening over
the precipice upon the Wye, from which
provisions were drawn up from vessels moor
ed Immediately beneath, and whose masts
probably did not reach The top OF the Iock
upon which the castle wall on this side was
built Here, doubtless, was the depository
of all the good cheer which made the cas-
tie halls resound with boisterous mirth.-
Here probably the spoils Of castles on the
continent were treasured up for bacchanalian
5anquets, at which mailed knights go: most
delectably mellow, and the baron'S voice
grew thick with the oawning morning.
Passing beneath an old aIchway we enter
ed another court. now domcSticated into a
garden by the family residing in part OF
the castle. From this we proceeded into the
third court, in which stood the baronial hall,
the scene OF the festivities, pomp and spen-
dor Of the days of chivalry. While look
1Is Of Sc ~ Sfi IL
retaining some specimens OF architecture
indicating its ancient magnihcence, it would
be difficult to restrain the imagination rom
INDUCING in reveries relating to the past.
What manner of scenes had transpired in
that hall; what manner Of men had met
around that baronial table what music and
dancing. what glitter of armor, and tread oil
armed men, had been seen and heard there ;
what light OF diamonds, aud of eyes outshi-
ming the diamonds sheen, had glanced across
the festive board what songs had been sung
and deeds rehearsed, and hearts wed, and
hands pledged, in love or revenge, were in-
quisitive thoughts which came in the train
of reflections suggested by the time and
place.
From the Hall, we proceeded to the wes-
tern gate. Ascending the tower which
guarded it by circular stairway, found
myself in the warder's look OUT where he
received summons TO open the gate. Thence
walked along on the top of the walls. some
times passing through thicket of shrubcr'
ry which found root in the rubbish. some
times descending by broken stairway in
an old rugged tower. and then ascended
by another circuitous route to the top Of
the wall again, until reached the erea
towers that guarded the eastern front portal
from the top Of which magnificent view
Of the surrounding country opens to the eye
The keep or dungeon is situated here--a
deep cellar in the form OF the letter ID, which
is sunk entirely below the foundation ofth'
castle. 50 that not particle of light conle
have fonnd its way to the prisoner, excep
when his sepulchre was opened from above
The stories above this black hole mus
have been very pleasant places of confne
ment, il used for that purpose; well Lighted
and looking ont through rich mullioned win
dows upon the most charming scenery. il
one Of these apartments, Henry Martin, on
ofthe Judges who declared against the divin