His Birthplace and its Influences. 19 



the fortresses and Peel Towers (Dr. Taylor 

 calls them " Pele ") that I have ever come 

 across. In the first place Dr. Taylor gives 

 us a graphic description of Yanwath Hall, 

 about two miles from Penrith, on the right 

 bank of the Eamont river. The Peel Tower 

 of Yanwath, like all Border towns of the 

 same epoch, was built for defence, and as a 

 place of refuge for men and cattle from the 

 incursions of Scottish marauders. It occu- 

 pies a commanding position on the south 

 bank of the stream, so as to interpose the 

 river between the fortalice and the enemy. 

 The situation was chosen to guard the ford 

 over the river, which is within half a bow 

 shot. Before the period of stone bridges, 

 the ford at Yanwath was the most important 

 of the passages across the Eamont. The 

 lines of a British stone avenue lead to it 

 from the south, and give the nearest access 

 to Penrith, or Voreda. This ford would, 

 from its shallowness, afford facilities for the 

 passage of horsemen and waders when the 

 more formidable waters at Eamont and 

 Brougham were not practicable. " Let our 

 fancy," writes Dr. Taylor, "carry us back 



