1808.] 
is grand, sublime, and picturesque in the 
adornments of nature; and to these who 
visit the lakes, by the high iorth-road, it 
requires only a deviation of two or three 
miles from the regular course at Catte- 
rick-bridge, the second stage before en- 
tering into Westmoreland. | 
Some idea of the extensiveness of 
prospect, which the situation of this Rich- 
mond commands, -may be conveyed by 
stating, that although the nearest geogra- 
phical distance of the German Ocean 
cannot be less than thirty-five miles, yet 
upon the race ground which is only a 
mile from the town, the fleets of colliers 
from Sunderland, &c. and other coasting 
vessels may be distinctly viewed on a 
clear day, whilst in another direction, the 
towers of the cathedral at York, may be 
seen from a distance of forty-four miles. 
The back ground of this expanded scene, 
affords the interesting contrast of an as- 
semblage of lofty mountains, skirting the 
Juxuriant valleys of Swaledale and Wens- 
leydale, and on returning, there is a 
charming bird’s-eye view of the hand- 
some town and vicinity of Richmond, 
abounding with ancient towers, monas- 
tic ruins, recks, water-falls, and woods. 
To enter into a minute detail of all 
the pleasing objects which this neigh- 
bourhood affords, would much exceed my 
limits; but strangers shouid not forget to 
enquire for one, which may be best view- 
ed from a pasture very near the town. 
This place, called the Round Hole, is a 
large natural amphitheatre of rocks and 
trees, with a sort of tumulus in front, 
which some conceive to be of druidical 
origin; but, perhaps, the better opinion 
is, that it has been detached by some na- 
tural cause from the adjoining rock at 
some remote period, as it consists of the 
same kind of stone, and shews that diffe- 
rence of position, which may be conceived 
to have ensued from such a separation ; 
this, however, could not have happened 
but at a time when the bed of the river 
Swale, was much lower than it now is, 
a circumstance which is not destitute of 
evidence, for there are found a little way 
beth above and below the town, some in- 
stances of stones that evidently appear 
to have been subject to the action of wa- 
ter, and which are well known to mine- 
ralogists, by the denomination of granite 
and basalt, of which there are none 
whatever to be found in any part of the 
higher country, from which they. could 
possibly have been conveyed directly 
down the river. They abound, however, 
Description of Richmond, in Yorkshire. 
~ $95 
upon the banks of the river Tees, which 
runs in a direction nearly parallel tothe 
Swale, at the distance of about twelve 
miles, and the only probable conclusion is, 
that they have been washed round from 
the Tees to the Swale, when both those 
rivers flowed into a vast estuary, which is 
now chiefly cecupied by what is called 
the Valeof York. 
From what has been advanced, it may 
be coneluded, that this spot affords some 
particular subjects for the contemplation 
of travellers of science, and they may be 
mgre abundantly gratified by advancing 
to the dales above, where, lead-mines are 
wrought upon ascale unusually extensive, 
producing many scarce specimens of 
minerals, particularly the carbonate of 
barytes, in beautiful hexagonal crystals of 
very late discovery. 
The castle, mostly in ruins, but with 
its stupendous tower in high preserva- 
tion, and anenchanting terrace behind it, 
are objects of general attraction that 
may be viewed with great facility; and to 
those who feel disposed to extend their 
perambulations, it is advised to make a 
two-hours’ excursion round the ruins of 
the monastery of St. Agatha, at Hasley, 
setting out by the foot-path, and return- 
ing by the high road from the village. 
I may perhaps, at some future oppor- 
tunity, if 1t appears to be of utility, sup- 
ply you with some short account of the 
history of the borough of Richmond 
and other particulars. At present I 
conclude with observing, that the attrac- 
tion of the situation, and the cheapness of 
living, make it a place of considerable re- 
sort fur the residence of persons of small 
independent fortunes. 
Your’s, &c. 
ey r 
Ge 
— ees 
To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. 
SIR, 
OUR ingenious correspondent T. 
W.has, im your last number, suc- 
cessfully asserted the masculine dignity 
of the Nile, in opposition to another Cor 
respondent, who would strip him of thac 
honour, and put him in petticoats, lke 
Hercules at the court of Omphale: an 
indignity, which, I dare say, his, godship 
never experienced before. Undoubtedly, 
the moderns, as well as the ancients, 
have ever been used ‘to consider the Ge- 
nius of the Nile as a male and not a fe. 
male deity. In proofor this assertion, 
might be cited the sublime sesh Re ae 
ts 
