in pursuit of all that hill and valley, wood and stream could afford; gratifications which, from their simplicity and variety, are well known to those who are happy enough to have acquired the taste necessary for their enjoyment, to be never-ceasing and never-palling.

It was, during one of these perambulations, and not long after the conversation which we have just recorded had past, that towards the evening of a fine day, they unexpectedly came within view of the Keep of Helmsley Castle. They had been ascending, for some time, a very steep acclivity, and on reaching the summit, which formed, as it were, a natural terrace, they beheld immediately beneath them, and at a considerable depth, the beautiful Rye, winding through its equally beautiful valley, and forming, in the very centre of it, a noble cascade, thickly overhung with dark and lofty wood; while in front of their position, and between hills of no mean altitude, and through which the river poured its course, was seen to open another branch of this extensive and variegated vale; in the midst of which, and in the bosom of numerous scattered groups of trees, appeared, as if placed there by

the directing wish of Claude or Poussin, Helmsley Church, picturesque portions of the town, and, rising above all, the venerable ruins of the castle. The effect was beyond measure striking; and as Edward, with all that glow of animation which so generally lighted up his features on such an occasion, was pointing out these objects to his companion, the westering sun caught the summit. of the lofty keep, and completed the picture.

After pausing for some time to admire this sudden developement of beauty and grandeur, they hastened to take a nearer view of what had charmed them so much in the distance; and descending through hanging woods, the darkness of whose foliage contrasted in a very remarkable manner with the sparkling brightness of the river, they soon reached the object of their walk, the ancient residence for many generations of Sir Walter L'Espec and his des. cendants.

Hoel, to whom this place, from the style and object of its architecture, presented in every point of view the attractions of novelty, was in the highest degree gratified and amused. Not only was he interested by the magnificent re

mains of this feudal fortress, but he was delighted with the extraordinary beauty of its situation.

Nothing, indeed, can be well more lovely and romantic than the scenery of which these ruins still form so striking a feature. They are placed on a considerable eminence, and surrounded by a double moat, once filled by the waters of the Rye, but now shadowed by many noble trees; the disposition and effect of which are such, as probably no taste, however exquisite, could improve. It has, in fact, been said, and perhaps justly, that each, when considered, both in relation to its own peculiar form, and to its position with respect to the ruin, forms a perfect picture; so much of richness, solemnity, and awe, do their dark and gigantic branches, especially when agitated by the passing storm, throw over the aspect and impression of the scene.

If a sense of majesty and sublimity, however, be the general emotion felt on contemplating the ruin itself, frowning, as it still seems to do, with baronial grandeur on the subject vale; it is sweetly and gracefully contrasted by the cha

racter of the landscape which enfolds it. Woods sweeping over the neighbouring heights and pendant to their base, vallies green, winding, and sequestered, and rivulets murmuring as they flow, are its prominent features, and communicate to the mind a sensation of inexpressible loveliness and serenity.

In the very front of the castle, and washing, as it were, the foot of the eminence on which it stands, pass on, clear and rapid in their course, the mountain waters of the Rye, meandering reach after reach, through enclosures of the softest green, and often under the shelter of aged trees, whose boughs, stretched athwart its stream, seem listening to the music which it makes upon its rocky bed.

Such is, at the present hour, the scenery which surrounds this romantic ruin; and such. was, with the exception of the trees which now shade the moat, its aspect, when Edward and Hoel passed through it in their way to the great gate of the castle.

"How calm and soothing is this scene," said the latter, as he hearkened to the cadence of the river;" and how refreshing to the wearied

spirits! more especially, if we compare its present stillness and repose with what must have been its state in days of yore; for I perceive, that this castle has been a place of uncommon strength; and, no doubt, the object of many a bloody conflict."

"From the era of Sir Walter L'Espec, in the turbulent times of Stephen," replied Edward, "to the period of the late civil war, in the reign of Charles the First, it was, doubtless, considered as a station of great importance, and, therefore, subject to all the vicissitudes of warfare. Of so much consequence, indeed, was it held, as a barrier against the incursions of our Caledonian neighbours, that in the 13th of Edward the Third, that Prince having received intelligence that the Scotch menaced him with another invasion, he immediately commanded William de Roos instantly to repair to his castle at Hamlake (Helmsley), and to remain there with his men during the winter, in order to ensure the protection of these northern districts. Nor has it been less, in days long gone by, the seat of revelry and hospitality; for the Roos's, independent of their wealth, were