missioners for building new Churches, and the Society for the same purpose, are neither dead nor asleep, and I cannot suppose that either would have suffered the building to have fallen into its present use, when it might have been converted into a Chapel of the Establishment, so much wanted in the neighbourhood, if they had been aware of the change before it took place. It is not, however, too late to redeem the structure. Let me then, Mr. Urban, call upon the two bodies I have named, and earnestly entreat the members of them, if they feel any regard for the honor of the Established Church, if they are actuated by those feelings which ought to guide them in the performance of their high duties, to lose no time in purchasing the structure, and restoring to it a sound form of worship, and to its altar and font their respective sacra ments. Let the scriptural liturgy and the episcopally ordained Clergyman supersede the low-lived stories and the coarse vulgarity of the boatswain's mate. If this appeal, however, is received with apathy, and treated with contempt, join with me, Mr. Urban, in calling upon the liberality of your friends to raise a private subscription for this laudable purpose. I earnestly beg your insertion of this, and let nie hope, Mr. Urban, for the honour of the Church, that it will not be disregarded. E. I. C. Mr. URBAN, AM April 8. MONG the remains of military architecture which interest the traveller, and demand the investigation of the antiquary, is Brancepeth Castle, in the county of Durham. This irregular, but stately pile, (of which the annexed view is a very accurate representation,) owed its erection to the family of the Bulmers during the early part of the usurpation of Stephen, when, with a view of strengthening his own cause, he gave his Barons permission to build fortresses and embattle their mansions at their own choice. By the marriage of Emma, heiress of the Bulmers, it came into the Nevills, the heads of which family several times appeared in arms against their Sovereigns, and thus placed their extensive possessions in jeopardy. Henry de Nevill assisted the confederate Barons GENT. MAG. April, 1827. against King John, but in the 17th of that King found it politic to give 100 marks for his restoration to favour, and to offer as a pledge of future fidelity this castle and two hostages. His sister after his death carried it to the FitzMaldreds, whose descendants thereupon took the name of Névill, and were the ancestors of the renowned Earls of Westmoreland*. On their rebellion, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, this Castle and Lordship became vested in the Crown, but were sold by Charles I. to Lady Middleton and others: since which time they have passed into various hands. Leland, the father of Antiquaries, noticing the building, says that it is strongly set and builded, and hath two courtes of high building: there is a little mote, that hemmeth a great peace of the first court. In this court be three toures of logging, and three small dd ornamentum. The pleasure of the castle is in the second court; and, entering into it by a great toure, I saw in scachin in the fronte of it, a lion rampant. Some say that Rafe Nevill, the first Erle of Westmerland, builded much of this house, A.D. 1398. The Erle that now is, hath set a new peace of work to it.". The principal court, o area, is of an octangular form; having the body of the castle on the south-west side. The entrance to the area on the north is defended by a gateway with two square towers; from which a wall and parapet extends east and west connecting with the castle. Between the latter and the gateway, on the east side, are two large square towers, communicating with the wall, with buttresses at each angle, having a small turret at their summits, sustained on corbels, open at the sides, but not in front. The main pile is very irregular; from the subsequent additions made to the original building, which appears, to have consisted of four distinct quadrangular towers, similar to one just described, with buttresses and turrets. Various modern improvements have been made in the interior for domestic, purposes; and several of the apartments are spacious, and handsomely fitted up. These improvements In the Church, which bears the marks of having been conventual, are numerous very interesting memorials to the first Nevill family and its branches. were chiefly made by Wm. Russell, esq. who also created an ornamental green-house, and made several alterations in the pleasure grounds and park. While in this neighbourhood I will mention a peculiarly interesting remain on Brandon Hill, about two miles north of the castle. It is a remarkable oblong tumulus or barrow, 120 paces in circumference at the base, and about 24 feet in perpendicular height. From this hill is also to be obtained in clear weather, a perfect view of no fewer than eight castles and a vast range of country. L. S. Mr. URBAN, SEND you a Letter of the cele brated Mrs. Montagu, one of the best epistolary correspondents that ever existed, and well known for her benevolence to the poor chimney-sweepers. An account of this accomplished and amiable Lady will be found in vol. LXX. p. 404, and of her husband Mr. E. Montagu in vol. LXXIV. p. 1090. Yours, &c. A. H. Copy of a Letter from Mrs. Montagu to Mrs. Sandford, near NewDEAR MAD. bury, Oct. 22. I find my letter into Buckingham had not the good fortune to get to your hands, but as I cannot permit an accident to deprive me of a pleasure you are so good as to allow me, I must renew our correspondence by a letter, which I hope will be more lucky than the last. If I was to give you an account of my life and transactions, since I saw you, you wd think I had been very idly busy. I spent about three monthis at Tunbridge, where we had a great deal of company. Every nation of the world contributed towards our crowd; every sect of religion, Jews and Gentiles; every order and rank of life was amongst us, so that the charms of variety were to be found as to the persons but the amusements were still the same. Cards and gaming were the darling diversions, in which I never partake; so that I had a greater share of leisure than most people, and used to ride or go airing every day; and by that means did not lose those rural pleasures wh I think are the most delightful of any; and as to society, I found some very agreeable people, who were not driven to cards for amuse ment; as if that, though this creation is so delightful, something was still wanting to human happiness, till a piece of spotted paper was invented as a supplement to it. The situation of houses at the Wells is very pretty, the hills look very fine, and the buildings intermix'd with trees have a peculiar and romantic air. It has all the simplicity of a country village in appearance. The great inhabit cottages there. Ambition, pride, and luxury, are generally found in nobler edifices, but, I fear, a Tunbridge cottage often contains these mighty passions. I found great benefits from the waters, beyond my first stad much beyond my first intention, and I cannot but own I was much tired of the place. The accession of company is a lively representation of human life, one race succeeding another, faces and characters differing in something, but still the same passions, inclinations, virtues, and frailties: my long stay was a sort of old age: I saw my best friends go before me; but as in life, tho' the greatest pleasures are over, and most inti mate friends gone, there is still something and somebody, for whom one wd linger and tarry a little longer. From Tunbridge I came to town, which I found more melancholy, and almost as solitary as a desert. I stayed but a few days, and then went into Huntingdonshire to Lady Sandwich, where I spent the short time I could stay in the most agreeable manner. She was so good as to come herself with me to London. We lay one night on the road, on purpose to make a visit to Dr. Young †, who entertained us very agreeably. His house is the emblem of his mind, plain bat elegant. He here entertains his friends genteelly, the poor liberally; is beloved and respected by all his neighbours, and his parishioners are not less edifyed by his example than his precepts: he lives up to his doctrine, and practises what he preaches. It gave me true joy of heart to see my old friend enjoy health and spirits, and all internal and external comforts. At no greater distance than 25 miles from London, he is as great a hermit as if he was in the remotest part of the earth, "And all the distant din the world can keep Rolls o'er his grotto, and but sooths his sleep." I believe this may be said with more truth of him than of his brother poet, who was not so detached from the world, nor had a spirit so purified from the dross of it; tho' I am sorry one who has wrote so well on mortality should be accused of not having lived up to the strictest rules of it. But we must make allowances for the envy of mankind, who are too apt to throw something into the other scale, where a person's merit and parts so much outweigh the usual portion; and let us remember that his doctrine cannot be invalidated by any contradiction his conduct could give it. The enemies of virtue think they do much, if they prove that there are few virtuous; but truth is unalterable, nor can the corruptions of custom destroy the real nature and constitution of things. I did not forget your recommendation of Phalaris's Epistles; they gave me a great deal of pleasure: the character even of Phalaris has something noble in it. A contempt of art and treachery, a superiority to revenge in many instances make one griev'd he usurp'd an unjust power. The remorse and anxiety with which it was attended are good lessons. The letter of Democritus [Hippocritus] is very curious; one is glad of such an account of a philosopher, whose indignant mirth has rendered him famous for so many ages. The letters of the great men of antiquity are very entertaining; one enters into their secret counsels, becomes in a mauner their confidants; the familiarity one seems to acquire with them makes a greater impression, and gives a more intimate knowledge than one can have from history: there one sees the statesman and the warrior, but here the man; whatever improvements the moderns may boast of in elegance and delicacy of expression, in policy and arts of government, the strength of life and of letters does not subsist; the vigour of Nature seems to be worn out; mediocrity reigns in characters; the pre-eminence of virtue and wisdom, of military and civil merit, does not so appear in individuals. I am glad the race of warlike heroes is ex tinct. It may be said in excuse of their desire of conquest, that the only laudable additions to the riches and strength of a country, which are such as commerce can obtain, were not then to be had. Had commerce been then well known, and the situation of every country admitted it, patriotism had had a gentler beneficent task, carried out blessings as well as brought them home, and aggrandized its own country without desolating others. I shall hope for the favour of a line when you have leisure, and that we shall correspond more frequently than we have done this summer, if the length does not terrify you. My sex is some apology for love of talking but for once I will say a great deal in a few words, for it wd require many to express its length, how much I am, Dr Madam, Yr faithful and obed humble serv', Mr. URBAN, April 10. THE following observations on some of the ancient Roman customs, may probably not be unacceptable to the readers of your agreeable and instructive Miscellany. The custom which prevailed amongst the ancients of making votive offerings to their favourite Divinities, in order to procure themselves safe journeys by sea or land, or in token of their gratitude for preservation from some imminent danger, still exists in the Catholic countries of Europe; as the numerous Churches and Chapels in France, Spain, and Italy, amply testify, In the Church at Boulogne, for example, several pictures and models of ships are suspended from the walls near the altar, which have been presented as offerings to the Virgin Mary by the Captains of French trading vessels belonging to the port. These paintings represent the various perilous situations in which the ships and their crews have been placed during their respective voyages; and the dangers from which they suppose themselves to have been miraculously delivered through her influence. We may here trace a strong resemblance to the custom of the ancient Romans on similar occasions, such as their preservation from storms and shipwrecks, when it was usual for the saved mariners to hang up in the temple of Neptune their dripping garments, or pictures, or |