THE WOLDS. 41 



running into the chalk wolds. The highest point which I have 

 measured is the summit of the road between Brandsby and 

 Gilling, 520 feet. In the vicinity of Gilling and Kirkham these 

 low hills are pleasing features in the landscape. 



THE WOLDS constitute properly but one region, sloping from 

 a curved summit, whose extremities touch the sea at Flamborough 

 Head, and the Humber at Ferriby; but this crescent of .hills is 

 cut through by one continuous hollow, the great Wold Valley 

 from Settrington to Bridlington. Along this valley burst the 

 most remarkable of those intermitting springs to which the name 

 of ' Gypseys ' is applied. By gradual upswelling from the cliffs 

 of Flamborough, 159 feet, and Speeton, 450 feet, the chalk wolds 

 arise to 805 feet in Wilton Beacon, a mark on the old British 

 and Roman road from Eburacum to the sea-coast ; and from 

 this point they decline gently to Hunsley Beacon, 531 feet, and 

 beyond that drop to the Humber. 



Everywhere these hills present a smooth bold front to the 

 north and west ; and from a point like Leavening Brow, which 

 commands views in both directions, the prospect is singular and 

 delightful. An immense vale sweeping round, with the great 

 tower of York Minster for its centre ; in the south the gleaming 

 water of the Humber ; on the west the far-off mountains ; to the 

 north dreary moorlands ; while immediately surrounding us are 

 the green wold hills, crowned with the tumuli and camps of 

 semi-barbarous people, who chased the deer and wild boar through 

 Galtres Forest, watered their flocks at Acklam springs, chipped 

 the flint or carved the bone, or moulded the rude pottery in their 

 smoky huts, and listened to warriors and priests at the mound 

 of Aldrow and the temple of Goodmanham. 



