resident's addeess. 189 



spot, though I cannot help thinking Dinsdale, and the whole 

 neighbourhood, must have once borne a very different character. 

 We were drawing near the place where the great Eoman road to 

 the N^orth-East Coast crossed the river, and where encampments 

 and garrisons doubtless existed in ancient times. The site of 

 Pountys Bridge (Pons Tisse) is scarcely a mile off, and Middleton 

 one Row, (Middleton on the Eow, that is, Middleton on the Poad,) 

 but little farther. At Middleton are manifest indications of the 

 forts which guarded the northern end of the Bridge, and at Dins- 

 dale are very strong appearances of Roman occupation. Opposite 

 the Rectory is the Old Manor House, a quaint edifice of ancient 

 date, and exceedingly interesting for its architecture, curious in- 

 ternal arrangements, and decorations. Mr. Scott P. Surtees lives 

 in it, and cherishes all its remarkable features in the true spirit, 

 and with the genuine love, of a real antiquary. The moats and 

 ramparts round enclose several acres, and the ground where it 

 has been disturbed is filled with the foundations of massive walls. 

 Various articles Mr. Surtees showed us had every appearance of 

 being Roman, We did not hear, I do not know that we en- 

 quired, whether Roman coins had been found. But the great 

 antiquity of the place was attested by the Church, which adjoins 

 the Rectory. The sacred edifice is very small, with walls ex- 

 ceedingly thick. It has lately been entirely and excellently re- 

 stored, but the evidences of its great antiquity are to be seen on 

 all sides. In the Churchyard is an elaborately ornamented stone 

 coffin, with sculptured lid, the remains of a Saxon cross, and 

 Saxon mouldings. 



From the Church a detour was made to a Sulphur Spring, and 

 to the Pishlocks. The former was very curious, the presence of 

 the Sulphur in the water being abundantly manifested to the 

 eye as well as to the palate. At the Pishlocks several Salmon 

 were seen to spring. Before reaching it we saw two very fine 

 ones, which had just been caught, and were still living as they 

 lay on the grass. 



At Middleton one Row an excellent dinner awaited the mem- 

 bers at the Davenport Hotel. Thence by flies and on foot w© 

 reached the Station at Pigliting Cocks. 



