iron helmet. In one part of the castle-yard, is the entrance of an arched subterraneous passage, leading from thence into the moat. This, no doubt, was very useful during a siege, when the common entrance was strictly watched by surrounding enemies. From every appearance, it may be concluded, that this castle had all the advantages of strength and situation, that could be desired, before the invention of artillery,* and, even after this period, was found to be a place not easily reduced: this is evinced by the great number of cannon-shot of various sizes that have been, and are yet frequently found on different sides of it. Placed on an eminence, projecting into the river, and, from its towers commanding all the avenues into the town; nor could any one pass over either of the bridges unseen by the garrison. Such was the castle of Knaresbrough, which Leland truly says, “Standeth

magnificently and strongly on a rock, having a deep "ditch hewn out of the rock, where it was not defend"ed with the river Nidd;" and where he numbered eleven or twelve towers.

Captain Ross, of the artillery, amusing himself with viewing these ruins, in the summer of 1781, declared, that supposing the castle at that time well fortified, he could, with the greatest safety, erect a battery within 300 yards of the same.

Hardisty delin

Ruins of the Kings Tower. in the Caftle of Knaresbrough.

"What does not fade? The tower that long had stood,

"The crush of thunder, and the warring winds.
"Shook by the slow, but sure destroyer-Time,

"Now hangs in doubtful ruins o'er its base:
"And flinty pyramids, and walls of brass
"Descend: The Babylonian spires are sunk;
"Achaia, Rome, and Egypt moulder down.—
"Time shakes the stable tyranny of thrones,
"And tott'ring empires rush by their own weight.
"This huge rotundity we tread grows old;
"And, all those worlds that roll around the sun?
"The sun himself shall die; and ancient night
"Again involve the desolate abyss."

Armstrong.

FROM viewing these mouldering remains of pride and dominion, the eye is relieved, and the mind cheered, by the romantic beauties of the adjacent vale, a delicious composition of ENCLOSURES, WOODS, and ROCKS, at the bottom of which, a fine RIVER takes its bending course, shaded in many places with hanging wood. On one side, the houses and trees ranged along the edge of the precipice, with part of the town, the CHURCH, the BRIDGE, and COGHILLHALL: On the other side, Belmont, with its wood and enclosures, the more elevated situation of BILTON HALL, with a distant view of Brimham-rocks, com plete this beautiful scene.

THE seal of this honor represents a castle, under which, on an escroll, are four letters, E. R: Q. R

Over the castle, on a wreath, is a dexter hand in armour, couped at the wrist, holding a branch of oak, the date, 1611. The crest is the same as that borne by the ancient family of Rodes, one of whom might then be receiver of the crown rents here; and, besides putting his crest on the seal, might also add the initials of his name and office-Edward Rodes, Quæstor Regis.

A large body of troops, stationed in this town and neighbourhood, were, in the month of August, 1648, ordered to join Cromwell, then marching to attack the Scots army, under the command of the duke of Hamilton. After this, nothing remarkable seems to have taken place here, till the landing of the prince of Orange; in the year 1688, when SIR HENRY GOODRICK, BART., of Ribston-Hall, repaired immediately to Knaresbrough, alighting from his coach, he entered the Town-Hall, where several Roman-catholic gentlemen (then in the commission of the peace) were assembled, on some matters of a public nature. Sir Henry informing them, that the authority by which they sat there was then superseded, drew his sword, and proclaimed William the third, king of England, &c.

WHEN we remember the active part this gentleman took in the struggles of those times, we shall not be