Anniversary Address. • 169 



Etal was glanced at ; and the site of an old Chantry, founded 

 by Sir Robert de Manners about 1346-47, which is now 

 surrounded by a marsh at the margin of the Till, was 

 examined. When the site was uncovered some years since, 

 a human skull was turned out, in which a wren had inserted 

 her nest. On returning from Etal, rain threatened, and the 

 bold pencilling of the opposite hills became shrouded in a 

 veil of mist, but the party reached Ford Castle before much 

 rain fell. The aspect of the interior is in quite a different 

 style from that of Etal, as not only every room is profusely 

 decorated, but has the undimmed polish of newness. The 

 ceilings were especially remarked for their beautiful tracery 

 and ornaments, in imitation of carving in wood. Many of 

 the windows have stained glass, pictured with family 

 armorial bearings. There are numerous family portraits and 

 small paintings, some being by the Marchioness of Water- 

 ford herself, to whom the entire structure owes its elaborate 

 completeness. Only a small portion of the ancient Castle, 

 a tower, remains hidden in the modernization, like " a fly in 

 amber." The Castle was embattled by Sir William Heron 

 in 1339. Forde has been inherited by the de Fordes, 

 Herons, Carrs, Blakes, Delavals, and now by the Beresfords. 

 The present Dowager-Marchioness of Waterford is Louisa, 

 third daughter of the late Baron Stuart de Rothesay, widow 

 of the third Marquis. In the Survey of the Borders before 

 mentioned, it is said : " The Castle of Forde standynge also 

 on the este bank of the river Tyll, was brounte by the last 

 King of Scots a little before he was slain at Flodden field. 

 Some part thereof hath been rebuilt again sy thence that 

 time, but the great buildings and much necessary houses 

 resteth ever sythence waste and in decaye, the which, if 

 repaired, were able to receive and lodge a hundred or mo 

 horsemen to lye therein yn garryson in tyme of war. The 

 Castle ys of the inherytance of Sir Wil. Heron's heyrs." 

 There is a room in the old part of the Castle, in which an 

 inscription over the fire-place records that King James of 



