54 STAGE-COACH AND MAIL IN DAYS OF YORE 



considered to be the finest j^lace in the Avorld for 

 a ghost-Avalk. " At the foot of a wikl romantic 

 mountain, near the side of a small lake, are his 

 remains; his shadow apj^ears in the water and 

 suggests the idea of two malefactors. The 

 imagination may easily conjure up his ghost. 

 Many sjiirits have been seen in wilds not so fit 

 for the purpose. This robber is perhaps the 

 genius of the Pell, and walks in the gloomy 

 shades of night by the side of this little lake. 

 This (he adds — it must have been a truly com- 

 forting thought to the other passengers) is all 

 sujiposition." The dreary place was one well 

 calculated for raising gloomy ideas, tending to 

 craze the imagination. 



After this, it was a relief to reach Durham, 

 a very picturesquely situated city with a grand 

 cathedral and bishop's palace. The pleasant banks 

 on the Avest side of the river Wear were adorned 

 with stately trees, mingled with shrubs of various 

 kinds, which brought to one's mind the romantic 

 ideas of ancient story, when sAvains and nymphs 

 sang their loves amongst trees by the side of some 

 enchanted river. The abbey and the castle 

 called to mind those enchanted places Avhere 

 knights-errant AA^ere confined for many years, 

 until delivered by some fric^id Avho kncAV hoAV 

 to dissolve the chains and charm the necromancy. 



Durham, he thought, AAould l)e a very fine 

 l^lace, Avere it not for the sAvarms of clergy in 

 it, Avho devoured every extensive living AAithout 

 being of any real service to the j^ublic. The 



