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the whole neighbourhood. In 1837, on the purchase of the 
property by Messrs. J. and W. Dent, the Castle again rose from 
its ruins, and is now one of the most palatial residences of the 
kingdom. 
The historical lecture of Canon Ellacombe being ended the 
whole party was divided into sections of six or seven under 
separate guides, and conducted through innumerable chambers, 
all stocked with an infinity of articles of historical interest, more 
particularly with some connection to the history of the castle. 
With marvellous lucidity the young ladies and gentlemen, who 
acted as conductors, explained the reliques of Queen Catherine 
Parr, the furniture used by the several sovereigns who had visited 
the castle, the marks and arms, seals and tokens of the several 
noble owners of the place, and the black-jacks, spurs, pikes of 
Cromwell and his Roundheads, who had levelled it. Numerous 
reliques of the monasteries of Winchcomb and Hayles, and coins, 
tesserce, &c., of the Roman period, two extraordinary pictures by 
Hogarth, styled ‘The Bridge of Life” and “The March of 
Intemperance,” carved oak bedsteads, antique silver plate, coloured 
glass and a collection of articles too numerous to mention or 
remember after a perambulation of less than two hours, render 
this Castle a veritable museum. The privilege granted by Mrs. 
Dent to the Bath Field Club to examine all these treasures will 
ever remain an agreeable reminiscence, and such a day spent 
among archeological treasures, when accompanied also by the 
personal kindness and hospitality of the hostess not only expands 
the knowledge of history and architecture, but creates feelings of 
thankfulness that our lot is placed in a country where owners of 
historical castles and valuable collections of antiquities open them 
freely to their neighbours less blessed than themselves. Having 
partaken of a farewell cup of tea with the kindly hostess and bid 
her many thanks, the members of the Field Club returned to 
Cheltenham, but not without experiencing a heavy shower on the 
road, and thence were safe back in Bath before half-past 8 p.m., 
