280 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



Myrtillus ; Fragaria vesca; Lysimachia nemorum; Nepeta Glechoma; 

 and Galium Mollugo. Tlie rhododendrons were luxuriant. 

 Prunus laurocerasus was mucli injured by late winters. The only- 

 bird visible was a wren. Caterpillars, striped green and black, 

 were suspended by a thread from the elms ; and afterwards the 

 perfect moth was captured by one of the party and proved to be 

 Abraxas JJlmata. This species is not uncommon on the Derwent 

 near Gibside. 



On arriving at the castle the whole company were mustered, 

 and obtaining admission, saw the ancient parts of the building, 

 which includes the Warders' gallery, which was Lord William 

 Howard's work, and extends along the central block of the 

 building, looking out to the south. It contains tapestry and 

 family portraits, which mostly came from Castle Howard. The 

 articles previously in this gallery were consumed by the fire, 

 which partially destroyed the castle in 1844. To abbreviate the 

 Eev. Canon Ornsby's account, this gallery, " at its eastern end 

 communicates by a newel stair, with the library, oratory, and 

 bedroom, which occupy the upper stage of ' Belted Will's' Tower. 

 These remain very much in their original state, having been un- 

 injured by the fire. An oaken door, of great strength, with 

 massive bars and bolts, protects the entrance to these rooms. 

 The library still contains a portion of the books and MSS. which 

 Lord William collected. The windows are unaltered. They are 

 very small and narrow. The roof is very beautiful. It is of low 

 pitch. It came from Kirkoswald. In the oratory is a painting, 

 dated 1514. It has the Crucifixion in the centre, with the 

 Scourging on one side and the Eesurrection on the other." 

 There are many other subjects of antiquarian interest in these 

 apartments. " The bedroom adjoining has a large stone mantel- 

 piece, the armorial bearings carved on which identify this upper 

 stage of the tower as the work of Thomas Lord Dacre." The 

 outlook from the leads is very extensive. " The Waste of Bew- 

 castle, dreary and desolate, lies to the north. On one side are 

 the dusky hills of Scotland, on the other side those of Tynedale 

 and Eedesdale, in Northumberland. The rich and pleasant 

 valley of the Irthing stretches from east to west at the foot of the 

 Castle walls, whilst immediately around lie the home grounds, 

 the grey walls of the garden, with its rectangular grass walks, 

 little altered, probably, since Lord William enclosed and laid it 



