12 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



there in snow storms. When this was the case, 

 within the byer door, I snugly watched the appear- 

 ance of various birds, which passed the little dean 

 below, and which the severity of the weather drove 

 from place to place, in search of shelter. With the 

 sight of my intimate acquaintances, the robins, 

 wrens, blackbirds, sparrows, a solitary crow, and 

 some others, I was not much attracted, but always 

 felt an extreme pleasure and curiosity in seeing the 

 more rare visitants, such as the woodcock, the 

 snipe, and other waders, with the redwings, field- 

 fares, &c., make their appearance. 



The winter evenings were often spent in listening 

 to the traditionary tales and songs, relating to men 

 who had been eminent for their prowess and 

 bravery in the border wars, and of others who 

 had been esteemed for better and milder qualities, 

 such as their having been good landlords, kind 

 neighbours, and otherwise in every respect bold, 

 independent, and honest men. I used to be 

 particularly affected with the warlike music, and 

 with the songs relative to the former description of 

 characters; but with the songs regarding the latter, 

 a different kind of feeling was drawn forth, and I 

 was greatly distressed, and often gave vent to it in 

 tears. These songs and " laments " were com- 

 memorative of many worthies ; but the most 

 particular ones that I now remember were those 

 respecting the Earl of Derwentwater, who was 

 beheaded in the year 1715, and was looked upon as 

 having been a victim to the cruelty of the reigning 

 family, and who was venerated as a saint upon 

 earth. It was said that the light from Heaven 

 attended his corpse to the vault at Dilston Hall, 

 and that prosperity would shine no more upon 



