nated. But with the borderers the case had been different; their relative situation with the English prevented the wound from being closed; the cause was always operating; new occasions of rancour were ever occurring in the violences of each party; and their mutual dislike, instead of being softened by time, was, on the contrary, every day increased and confirmed. Hence it happens, that a great degree of coolness and dislike still subsists between the inhabitants of the respective neighbouring countries; which not only operate as a bar to free communication between them, but at the same time render the Scotch infinitely more tenacious of those manners, customs, and opinions, which distinguish them from their ancient enemies.

We were concerned to find that these little local prejudices subsisted as well amongst the higher classes of society, as the peasantry of both the borders; scarcely any intercourse subsisting between the Scotch and English gentlemen of those parts. Frequent attempts have been made by men of liberal minds to overcome this unsocial spirit, but without effect. About fifty years ago a club was established for the express purpose of bringing these neighbours, separated only by a river, to more friendly communication; and intended to be held one week in Scotland and the next in England.

The parties accordingly met, dined in peace, and spent part of the day in cheerfulness and friendship; when unfortunately a descendant of an English bordering family, renowned in the history of the petty wars of those parts, reminded a Scotch gentleman sitting near him of some successful innovations made by his own ancestors on the castle of this other gentleman's great grandsire. In a moment the mouldering ashes were re-kindled, the deadly feud was revived, and the spirit of insulted nationality spread itself from the Scotchman to all his countrymen. The feast of the Lapithe once more displayed itself; all was riot and confusion; and few of the party returned home without having received some proofs imprinted on their heads or faces, that the hatred of the borderers for each other had not been extinguished, but had only lain dormant for a time. I believe no trial since this has been made for bringing such dissocial spirits together.

Shortly after leaving the Scotch precincts we passed another fortified mansion, called Kirk Andrew's-Castle, the old retreat of an English spoiler, belonging at present to Sir James Graham, whose more modern residence stands to the left, in a park of great beauty, finely wooded, and declining gently to the banks of the Esk, which here rolls

a broad and tranquil sheet of water over a pebbly bed. The house, a rich depôt of ancient Roman altars, and other pieces of sculpture, dug upon the spot, (formerly a Roman station) and good paintings, is well worth seeing.

Longtown, the most northern town in Cumberland, shortly afterwards received us; whose muslin manufactures assist the powers of female charms, by the elegant articles produced at their looms. Here we lost the Esk, and a road good, but tame, led us through a flat rich country to merry Carlisle, equally celebrated in British, Roman, and Monkish story.

Your's, &c.

R. W.

THE
HE importance which Carlisle borrowed from

the residence of Celtic kings, Roman prætors, or Monkish saints, seems to have vanished with these departed worthies; it ranks now with our middling country towns, and is more remarkable for pleasantness of situation, overlooking a

Juxuriant plain watered by the river Eden, than for any splendour of structure. The ancient Anglo-Norman cathedral, chiefly built in the reign of William Rufus, having been curtailed of its original length one hundred feet by the sacrilegious hands of Cromwell, who converted the materials to the erection of batteries, has lost much of its pristine dignity; and the castle, first constructed in the 13th century, added to by Richard III. and extended by Henry VIII. though it assume the appearance of strength at a distance, is found, upon a closer survey, to be neither strong nor magnificent. Its walls are ruinous, and the walks leading round their summit in the worst possible order. Three gateways remain, the ancient entrances into the town, called the Scotch, the English, and the French. But though Carlisle itself afford nothing particularly worth the traveller's notice, we found the country around it replete with curiosities, both natural and artificial, and had ample entertainment in excursions to the more remote interesting objects, Gilsland Spa and Naworth-Castle; and the nearer ones, Corby-Castle and Witheral Priory. The first of these places lies about eighteen miles north-east of Carlisle, five miles to the left of the great turnpike-road to Newcastle; and consists of two large houses for the accommodation of lodgers,