niche over the entrance tinkled for service on the Sabbath Day, or with a slower tongue gave notice that one of the children of the soil was returning to the earth from which he sprung."

How altered are the conditions now from the time when Southey, two or three generations ago, so described them. A village school has been built, and you can hear the merry voices of the children welcoming the stranger tourists, and breaking the stillness of the scene. Near the cave, Mr. Metcalfe, the owner of Weathercote, has built a neat modern house, with lawn, gardens, and plantation surrounding it. The hypothetical residence of the mythical Daniel Dove has vanished, and a snug parsonage, with a trim garden, on a gentle knoll, overlooks the church and the whole course south-westward of Greta Dale. The church itself has been restored, and the art of the glass painter has been brought into requisition to decorate its minute windows. The churchyard, so unkempt of yore, is now a model of neatness, with level gravel walks, smooth grass plots, and an assemblage of funereal trees of formal shape and sombre hue. The old dilapidated boundary wall has been rebuilt, with a Lych Gate at the entrance, and is no more open either for the gambols or the refuge of the sheep from the neighbouring moor, The dust

of the churchyard cannot now boast of almost entire consanguinity with the mythical family of Daniel Dove, as no less than 200 navvies and others connected with the construction of the Midland Railway to Carlisle have been interred within its bounds.

However short our visit may have been to this interesting region, it will be long impressed upon the memory of those who were fortunate enough to be present, as it combines within its compass some of the most remarkable caves and waterfalls as well as grand mountain scenery scarcely surpassed in the north of England.

The order was given to return, and after a rapid drive through the quaint streets of Ingleton the journey was continued along a pleasant road, where the garden walls were decorated with curious and fantastic staglamites obtained from Ingleborough or some of the Kingsdale Caves. Our hotel at Clapham Station was ultimately gained, where a splendid tea was provided by the landlady, whose husband, Mr. Coates, deserved every praise for the handsome manner in which all arrangements were made for our enjoyment, and for the way in which he carried out the drive, his horses and carriages being first class. Those who were present can therefore with the greatest pleasure thoroughly recommend him and

his house to all intending tourists who desire to pay a visit to this interesting locality. The homeward journey was made by the train leaving Clapham Junction at 7-4 p.m., which arrived safely at York a little after ten, the officials of the North Eastern and Midland Railway Companies having provided special carriages for the convenience of the large party of the York Tourists.

May, 31st, 1881.

NOTE.-On the 22nd of August, 1884, this excursion was repeated by a more numerous party of ladies and gentlemen, who had special permission from the Rev. T. M. Farrer to drive through his grounds to Ingleborough Cave. The day was remarkably fine, and the wonderful scenery was thoroughly enjoyed.

No. 9.

Leicestershire—Belvoir Castle.

HE second excursion of the York Tourist

Society for 1881, took place on Thursday last, the 23rd of June, to Grantham, and Belvoir Castle, the magnificent residence of the Duke of Rutland. The party consisted of twenty six ladies and gentlemen, and the day being fine added much to their pleasure and enjoyment. On arriving at Grantham Station, where carriages were waiting, the drive was at once taken through a beautiful wooded country, on the Melton Mowbray road, passing through Denton village, and by several fine mansions and grand churches, and then along the extensive and undulating park of Belvoir. The views of the Castle, which is situate at the extremity of a considerable range of hills, and surrounded by woods, were picturesque and charming. Dinner was served at the Peacock Hotel, which is near the entrance to the castle grounds, and the afternoon was spent in inspecting the noble apartments and splendid

saloons and picture galleries of the magnificent mansion. Like many other residences of the nobility, its history can be traced back to Saxon times, as well as its transference to Robert de Todeni, the Standard Bearer of the Conqueror. The castle and various manors attached to Belvoir continued in this family for a considerable period, and afterwards by the marriage of Robert de Ros to the heiress, did not again change hands until the reign of Henry the Seventh, when by similar means it became the property of Sir Robert de Manners, whose successor, in 1526, was created Earl of Rutland by Henry the Eighth. It thus appears that virtually it has descended in unbroken succession by heirship or intermarriage from the Conquest to the present time, and that the Dukes of Rutland, to all intents and purposes, represent the Standard Bearer of Norman William, who founded one of the historic families of England. Greatness has always entailed considerable responsibilities, and the owners of Belvoir have not escaped the usual lot of the feudal nobility, but amidst all our national vicissitudes, notwithstanding attainder and forfeiture, they always came again to the front, and regained their original honours and estates. So also with the Castle, which at various times