56 RIVERS. 



Grace Priory, on the edge of the Cleveland Hills, flows by a 

 singular course north-westward nearly to the Tees, and then re- 

 turns south by North Allerton to join the Swale. It retains the 

 Gaelic name for ' water' (uisg) . North Allerton has been thought 

 to be a Roman station. The names near it Romanby, Thorn- 

 borough, and Thornton seem to indicate a ' street' between 

 Thirsk and North Allerton. 



Still flowing south-east, the Swale reaches Topcliffe, with its 

 fine old church (where it touches the Lias formation), and re- 

 ceives a branch which rises on the Osmotherley Moors, near the 

 sources of the Wisk and the Leven, and flows by Ellerbeck, 

 Crosby, and Thirsk, under the name of Coldbeck or Codbeck. 

 At Thirsk, the church (15th century) is large and fine; the old 

 castle of the Mowbrays is traceable only by earthy mounds. 

 There is a large tumulus near Thirkleby. Parallel to the course 

 of this valley on the east is the grand range of the Hambleton 

 Hills, on which an ancient (British ?) road runs from Oldstead to 

 Hambleton End. The region below these hills on the west is 

 one of the pleasantest parts of Yorkshire, being in general fer- 

 tile, well-sheltered and woody, with magnificent hills and moun- 

 tains for the background of rich domestic pictures. The Car- 

 thusian Priory of Mount Grace (14th century) is sheltered by 

 the woods of Arncliffe, and Mount St. John a Preceptory of the 

 Knights Hospitallers on rising ground below the Edge of 

 Hambleton. Above Thirsk, but under the perpendicular scars of 

 Whitstoncliffe, Gormire Lake, formed by a great landslip in 

 some early time, is a conspicuous and beautiful object. The 

 road up Hambleton by the side of the lake passes among grand 

 scenes, and displays an extensive and noble prospect to the 

 west. From Topcliffe to Myton the Swale runs more nearly 

 south, and here it joins the Ure. 



Stations in Swaledale : Muker, in the upper part, offers only 

 the simple accommodation fitted for enthusiastic artists, sports- 

 men, or naturalists. Reeth has a better inn, and is well situated 

 for ascending Calver and Healaugh Crag, and visiting Arkcu- 



