21 



THE ARMOURY. 



*' Charm'd with the sight, the ardent breast is fir'd 



" With thoughts like those which ancient bards inspir'd." 



This department of the Museum is fitted up in 

 an appropriate and elegant manner, representing 

 the interior of the halls of our ancient nobility. 

 The armour and various implements of war displayed 

 in trophies, or on figures placed under gothic 

 canopies, forcibly call to our minds the times of chi- 

 valry, and the days when our ancestors, by their 

 deeds in arms, carried victory and conquest to every 

 part of the world, and were " single handed'' able 

 to reduce that country to a state of vassalage that now 

 threatens the independence of every government on 

 the continent. Amongst this collection of antiquities, 

 the Armour is what attracts the attention of every 

 visitor ; here an ample field will be open for medi- 

 tation : the form, make, and materials of these war- 

 suits will be a source of admiration and surprise : 

 and when a thought is cast on the warriors, whose 

 strength enabled them to bear such a weight of me- 

 tal, and at the same time were capable of exerting 

 themselves, performing under it every exj)loit ; 

 enduring every toil of war ; he will feel himself as 

 the offspring of a dwindled race of mankind. 



The Figure on the llorse is dressed in Hauberk, or 

 ancient suit of mail, such as worn in the army of 

 William the Conqueror, when he invaded this coun- 

 try. It is composed of small rings of iron, which. 



