THE LADIES’ MAGAZINE OF GARDENING. 359 
place, laid out as a kind of garden; and a square green in the 
centre. 
September 24 .—Castle Eden .—Of this place I can say nothing from 
my own observation ; as from the unfavourable state of the weather 
I remained at the inn, while Mr. Loudon went through the grounds. 
From what I heard, however, the place appears to be one which is 
still celebrated, only because it deserved to be so fifty years ago. At 
present, however, it seems to possess few remains of its former beauty. 
We returned to Durham in the evening. 
September 25 .—Durham to Brancepeth Castle .—This fine castle, though 
a modern building, appeared to be in excellent taste; and in a few years 
it will have all the appearance of an ancient castle. The outline, with its 
towers and battlements, is bold and simple ; and the open court inclosed 
within the walls is just what one would expect in a baronial residence. 
The interior corresponds well with the exterior ; the apartments are large 
and well-proportioned, and the furniture though massive is almost too 
simple, as in some of the apartments there is almost an air of nakedness, 
though it would be difficult to say what is wanting. The garden is very 
good, and the gardener’s house is elegant. On entering it, we were struck 
with the appearance of a circular hall, filled with stuffed birds and beasts 
in life-like attitudes, very different from the stiff unnatural figures so often 
seen in museums. We inquired who had stuffed them, and were 
surprised to hear it was Mr. Joseph Dale, the gardener’s son. 
Croxdale , is the seat of-Salvin, Esq. I do not know that I ever 
felt more regret at the weather, which so frequently marred our projects, 
than I did at the heavy rain which prevented me from exploring this 
beautiful and romantic place; but I was obliged to let Mr. Loudon go 
through it alone ; and I could only judge, from an occasional glimpse of 
the scenery from the windows of the house, of what I lost. Notwithstand¬ 
ing the storm, Mr. L. returned quite delighted with what he had seen, 
and gave me such an account of the romantic dale or rather glen (which 
tradition says was formerly the abode of evil spirits, till they were driven 
forth by the erection of the cross, from which the place takes its name), 
and of various other parts of the grounds, that I can only hope it may be 
my fate to revisit Croxdale at some more favourable opportunity. 
Bishop Auckland .—The storm ceased, and a gleam of sunshine broke 
through the clouds as we drove through the noble park of Bishop Auck¬ 
land. Among the fine old thorns was one quite fastigiate, which raised 
its tall and slender form high above the rest. Near this we saw a 
pyramid, which we found on inquiry was raised over a place where the 
keeper concealed himself when the time came for shooting deer. The 
