A BORDER FORTRESS. 227 



pointed to as the Wrekin, a high mountain the highest 

 in midland England ; hence the generous old toast, &quot; To all 

 around the Wrekin.&quot; We were let out through a narrow 

 postern, which gave us an opportunity to see the thickness of 

 the wall : it was ten feet, and in some parts it was said to be 

 sixteen, of solid stone and mortar. The castle was a border 

 fortress of Wales, on the dyke or ancient military wall between 

 that country and England, remains of which can be seen run 

 ning each way from it. It has withstood many sieges, the 

 last by Cromwell, the effect of whose artillery upon it is 

 largely manifest within the court. A decree of the long par 

 liament is on record ordering it to be razed to the ground. 



