114 Hark Away. 



Eridge, passing through beautifully-timbered pic- 

 turesque woods until the castle was reached. In the 

 12th of Henry IV. (1411) the manor passed into the 

 hands of the family of Beauchamp, Earls of Warwick, 

 and Lords Bergavenny. Sir Edward Nevill, the direct 

 ancestor of the present Marquis of Abergavenny, in 

 the 14th of Henry IV., did homage for the land of 

 his wife's inheritance — I should think without do- 

 ing any great violence to his feelings, for a fairer 

 domain is not to be found, were you to search 

 England throughout. 



The deer park, the oldest in England, is of the 

 extent of 2000 acres, through which a stream passes 

 feeding the mere, which is seen from the castle 

 gardens, and is the abiding place of countless wild 

 ducks ; whilst herds of fallow as well as noble red 

 deer roam at will through the lovely glades, or rest 

 beneath the widely spreading trees that shelter 

 them in their favourite haunts. 



Arriving at the castle, the scene was animated 

 beyond measure. George Bollen and his hounds, 

 surrounded by a large number of well-mounted men 

 and many ladies, were to be seen in readiness to 

 proceed to business. On entering the castle, I 

 passed through the entrance hall into the dining- 

 room, where a sumptuous breakfast was laid, and 

 though the " King-maker " seemed to look down 

 upon me somewhat austerely from the walls of this 

 noble apartment, I did not feel disconcerted, or in 

 the least disinclined to partake of the hospitality of 

 my noble host. 



Then, being handed over to the care of Mr. Smith, 

 the house steward, I was shown through the mag- 



