8 president's address. 



promontoiT, with a steep wooded bank on the opposite side, and 

 a high heathery moor in the back ground. Tlie wooded bank 

 rises for fully one hundi'ed feet, with much abruptness. The 

 approach is narrow, on an elevated way, chiefly fonned by 

 Nature, rocky steeps lying on each side clothed with wood, 

 beneath which is viewed a pretty pictiu-esque plain, washed by 

 the munnuring streams of the Allen. From the rocky promon- 

 tory was obtained a most extended view of the surrounding 

 country. Staward Castle, or as it was anciently called, Sta- 

 ward-le-Peel, of wliich little now remains but a rugged gateway 

 which was defended by a (b-awbridge and portcullis. Some 

 ruined walls exist to the westwai'd. The outworks are a deep 

 foss, with a vallum of stone and eai'th. This castle has a remark- 

 able situation, being seated on a peninsula formed by the conflux 

 of the Eiver Allen and the Harsondale Burn. The Peel belonged 

 to the Eremite Friars, of Hexham, under the grant of Edward, 

 Duke of York. Tlie vicvr northwards was the most extended, 

 taking in the village of Thorngrafton, surmounted by the cliffs 

 above Sewing Shiels, wliich formed the horizon. Upon descend- 

 ing into the river valley, by a rugged pathway, which, owing to 

 the projections of large masses of rock, was not unattended with 

 peiil, but which was safely accomplished, a sulphur spring was 

 reached. This spring is dedicated to St. Mary, and is called the 

 Holy Well. It is situated in the sinus of a sloping freestone 

 rock, where are lodged large pellets of sulphur, the aperture and 

 sides being tinged with a silvery hue. The water has a nauseous 

 fetid taste and odour. Being so near the Allen the floods often 

 encroach upon it, and force it to change its situation in the rock, 

 bursting out again in some other site. The practice of conse- 

 crating springs is very ancient. Sometimes they were conse- 

 crated as a living memorial of extraordinary mercies received 

 from Heavin. Tliis occurred in the patriarchal age. Sometimes, 

 as a testimony of inipoi-tant foedera, of compacts or covenants 

 entered into among men ; and, at other times, for tlieir healing 

 %'irtue. Within a little distance of the Holy Will a very fine 

 cascade, called Cypress I^inn, and under it a large and deep basin, 

 were viewe<l. 



