ERRATA.

PAGE 4, line 1, for "appointment," read "office."

22, line 19, for "fire," read "fine."

24, line 19, for "John," read "Thomas."

96, line 4, for "were," read "

99, line 1, for "above," read "

was."

same."

126, line 6, for "these churchyards" read" this churchyard."

230, line 8, for "late," read "last."

241, line 6, for "three astern," read "the eastern."

271, line 27, for "Alice," read "Eleanor."

272, line 3, for "Alice," read "Eleanor."

283, line 18, for "assimulation," read "assimilation."

FRAMLINGHAM

THE CASTLE.

"Here the Warrior dwelt,
And in that mausion, children of his own,
Or Kindred, gathered round him. As a tree
That falls and disappears, the House is gone;
And, through improvidence or want of love
For ancient worth and honourable things,

The spear and shield are vanished, which the Knight
Hung in his Castle hall."

THE EXCURSION.

THE Castle of Framlingham, whether considered as a relic of antiquity-the hold of feudality-or a building with which some of the most celebrated historical acts are connected, has strong claims upon the attention. No one can look upon it in its now abject state-its ruined walls and crumbling towers, and not fall into a reflection upon the mighty contrast it exhibits between the days when the imperious family of the Bigods, Earls of Norfolk, kept their iron rule over its serfs and domains, and those in which we now live.

Within the precincts of yonder mouldering pile, incidents of the most unfading historical character have occurred, cementing even its ruins with the national memorials of England. Here the proud, and brave Robert, Earl of Leicester, feasted his body of Flemings, whom he had brought from France, and their

B

native country, to fight in the cause of the sons of Henry II. From the strong-hold of the Castle of Framlingham, issued Hugh Bigod, to defy alike both King and Baron, whenever his restless spirit sought employment, or his rapacious feelings yearned for coffers filled to repletion with the gold of his neighbours, his country, or his sovereign. Within these walls Bloody Mary abided for a short period, and plighted her vows to offer no discouragement to the Reformed Religion of the country. Here was once a chamber shewn, of which a tradition was told to every visitant, that within its walls she gave birth to a monster. Within the Church erected by the Mowbrays, and the Howards, lie entombed many of the proudest nobles of the land. Here sleeps Henry, third Duke of Norfolk—“ Surrey, famed in verse and arms "-- two Duchesses of Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, sleep together without rivalry-here stand the tombs of Henry Fitz Roy, natural son of Henry VIII., and Sir Robert Hitcham, who purchased the castle, and alienated its estates. But enough of these noble relics for the present. Well may the poet exclaim

"Nor rude nor barren are the winding ways

Of hoar antiquity, but strown with flowers."

There is indeed a beauty and a delight inherent in these ancient matters taking our best feelings prisoner, and inducing our love, not to be found residing in aught that time has not sanctified by the baptism of his years.

The Castle of Framlingham, dates its origin as a place of strength, at a very early age. Indeed there exists no document, proving, certainly, the exact period of its erection. The days of the Saxon Heptarchy saw it as the seat, or strong hold of one of the monarchs of East Anglia, and it has been set apart by some as having belonged to Redwald, a prince, who reigned between 571 and 624, and kept his court at Rendlesham.

Leaving antiquarian speculation, however, to indulge in its own dreams upon the origin of the building, we proceed to times which although very early, are yet removed by many