16 PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 



for the providing of the sleeping accommodation required, and 

 after pai-taking of luncheon, the party proceeded to walk, as 

 arranged, to Middleham. In passing through Leyburn it was 

 found that the town consisted of an oblong square, and appeared 

 to have been almost entirely rebuilt within no distant period. 

 In the way they crossed the River Ure, and had verj' fine pro- 

 spects of Wensleydalc and Coverdale. Penhill was a conspicu- 

 ous feature to the south-west, and Great and Little Whernside 

 appeared high on the south. On the roadside, on an open space 

 of sward, they were much delighted to find the Meadow Saffron, 

 CoJchiciun autumnalc, in bloom, and in beautiful luxunance. 

 The Common Colchicum or Meadow Saffron consists of little 

 more than a deep bulbous root, and a delicate lilac flower. The 

 following beautiful lines were vividly represented. 



Of the stored and uncounted riches lying hid in all creatures of Go<1, 

 There be flowers making glad the desert, and roots fattening the soil, 

 Not long to charm away disease hath the Crocus yielded up its bulb, 

 Nor the Willow lent its bark, nor the Nightshade its vanquished poison. 



Upon reaching the town of Middleham, the remains of the 

 once formidable castle were approached, where the party were 

 received by the venerable custodian, who discoursed in homely 

 language upon its history, the picturcsqueness of the situation, 

 and the beauty of tlie suiTounding scenery. Middleham Castle 

 was the residence of the celebrated Earl of Warwick, the king- 

 maker. This castle, says Leland, is the fairest castel in Rich- 

 mountshire, next Bolton. The castle was built about tlie year 

 1190 by Robert Fitz Ranulpli, and afterwards became the pro- 

 perty of the Earl of "Warwick, and here he confined Edward IV., 

 who contrived to effect his escape, and soon after defeated his 

 powerful enemy at the battle of Rarnet. The castle becoming 

 forfeited to the Crown, Edward gave it to his brother Richard, 

 the Duke of Gloucester, who made it his favourite residence, and 

 in this place was born liis only son Edward, afterwanls Prince 

 of Wales, who died at the early age of twelve years. At what 

 time the castle ceased to be inhabited is not known. Tradition 

 Rays it was reduced to ruins by Oliver Cromwell. 



After reflecting u])on these recoi-ds of the past, and viewing 



