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the private grounds of the Park Hotel, the party surveying 
the landscape with unmixed pleasure, for the day was 
gloriously fine. By way of Miller Park, Ribble Side, 
and Penwortham Bridge, the visitors were conducted to St. 
Mary’s Well, and thence to the picturesque avenue lead- 
ing to the Priory and the church. The party were re- 
ceived at Penwortham Priory with gracious courtesy, and (in 
the absence of Lawrence Rawstorne, Esq.,) were led by Mrs. 
Rawstorne through every apartment in the beautiful mansion 
which could possibly interest them. The hospitable character 
of the reception will never be forgotten by those who were 
privileged to enjoy it. It appears that soon after the Conquest 
a Benedictine priory or monastic cell was erected here by a 
fraternity of the monks from Evesham. The vicissitudes of the 
structure since were detailed, and then the visitors proceeded to 
the church situated on the summit of a high and woody bank 
overlooking the valley of the Ribble. The date of the first 
erection is not known, but a church existed in 1291. The present 
tower is probably of the 15th century, although the nave and 
aisles of the church were rebuilt in 1856. Castle Hill was 
mounted, and the prospect from it would lead one to admit that 
Penwortham must have been worthy of being, as it was in the 
olden time, “a royal manor.” This height was in Roman times 
a camp of observation commanding the pass of the Ribble, and 
providing means of communication by signal with the other 
Roman garrisons at Walton and Ribchester. The programme of 
the day was now brought to a conclusion, and the party made 
their way to the station and returned home. 
It must be recorded that Mr. McKay had very considerately 
prepared and printed a descriptive list of the chief objects of 
interest in the historic town. The possession of these notes and 
the book relating to the County Sessions Hall added greatly to 
the pleasure of the visit, and served as souvenirs of a pleasant 
day and the kindly reception accorded to the party. 
YORK AND SELBY. September 3rd, 1884. 
Leader, W. LEWIS GRANT. 
There had long been an earnest desire that York should be 
included in the list of summer day excursions ; and now that the 
improved train-service had come into operation, a visit to that 
ancient city could conveniently be made. York was reached 
about ten o'clock, and the first object which arrested attention 
was a portion of the City wall. The walls form one of the most 
striking features of the historic City, and some portions are 
