Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-10

went Ddch 10 Tue udys Oi cuifairy duu hf1gnt-
hood and fanc55 drew in glowing colors
romantic pictures of the tournament and the
banquet hall.
1 descended the hill and crossing a small
stream came upon the first portion of tn
buildings, scarcely visible, in deep hollow.
and overgrown by tree and underwood. At
this point was literally besieged by num-
Der of individuals who importuned me TO en-
gage one of them as them guide. j pre-
ferred to go over the Castle alone, and trusting
to my recollection of the notes in Sir Walters
Novel, / entered small wicket gate which
brought me to Leicester's Gateway, square
building, fanked at each angle with an
octagOnal tower. On the west porch of this
building may be seen the initials r. D., carved
in the stone, which l conjecture must have
been intended for ROBERT DUDLEY, Earl of
Leicester. Passing on we come directly in
front of the main buildings and have the
inner court in full view. Here we will re-
cline upon the verdant green and sketch the
ruins leisurely.
On The right is Casar's Tower, noble
keep of immense strength; its walls are many
feet thick and in each angle has been stair
case. 1t still retains undeniable evidence of
its Norman origin in the form of its older
windows, which are narrow and circular
headed. Some portions of this massive bull
ding have fallen down. and the huge frag
ments which lie scattered around give bet
ter idea of the vastness and solidity of the
building, than can be formed by simple
view of its exterior. Westward from this
tower may be seen the remnants of the fOun-
dations of the kitchen, and again beyond
these the building called '.Mervyn's Bower"
mentioned in Scott's Kenilworth as the Pri-
son-house of Amy Robsart, the unfortunate
countess of Leicester. Its chambers are all
of arched stone and, considering it has stood
for centuries, is at present in wonderful
state Of preservation. Adjoining this, on the
South, is the Great Banquetng Hall. 1t
must have been a noble apartment; windows
filed with tracery and transomed -paneled
walls f great thickness-fire-p places richly
ornamented and beautifully arched doorway
of immense height and width. Beyond these
and carried out to the South are the remains
of Leicester's buildings a magnificent cree
ton of striking beauty. Gazing up to the
dizzy height of its ivy-mantled uurrets, we
are much impressed with the grandeur and
beauty of the structure-beautiful even in
decay, and we indulge in speculations upon
the wonderful works of man.
But what will not the inventive mind of
man accomplish! Think of crossing the big
waters" in nine days? But few weeks have
elapsed since l was dragging hot and weary
through the dusty streets of sunny Nashville
in the daily exercise of business duties and
now behold me lazily lounging in the Eden
like plesaunce of Kenilworth ruins Amid
those Wondering walls, reft of their ancient
glory, whose stirring scenes were enacted
when Dudley was the host Of Royalty
And good Queen Bess was lodged within those towers
Where now the ivy trails and ruin darkly lowers,''
After cutting sprig of ivy from the arched
doorway of Mervyn's Bower in memory Of
the fair captive, L turned my steps in the dir
ection of Warwick Castle. passing on the
route the memorable Guys Cliff" noble
old residence, which can be seen from the
main road. through beautiful avenue of
ancient oaks arched overhead with inter-
lacing boughs and presenting the appearance
of II skeleton tunnel. Warwick is only four
miles from Kenilworth and performed the
journey on foot, obtaining thereby better
view of the forest scenery than those who
accomplish it by conveyance. l soon arrived
at Warwick Castle passing through the
cient city of that name, but arrived at the
Porter's Lodge too late to gain admittance to
the Castle Ground and so had to defer that
pleasure to another day. | was shown, how
ever, through the kindness of the old Lady
who kept the gates the Armor and War-Im-
plements used by the Giant Knight, Guy
Earl of Warwick in his battle excursions,
and also his Punch Bowl said to hold l02
gallons. These relics are carefully preserved
by the present Earl of Warwick who resides
near the old Castle. l had seen enough for
one day. l was. satisfied. And l took my
seat in the train for Birmingham.
SPEER KEN.