HOGHTON TOWER. (Drawn up for the Babbler.)

"With wassail, mirth, and revelry,
The castle rung around;

Sir Thomas call'd for song and harp,
And pipes of martial sound."

Ir was on a mild and beautiful morning, in the Autumn of 1821, that we visited the venerable baronial castle of the Hoghtons'. This feudal building,. denominated" Hoghton Tower," stands upon the summit of a high hill, four miles and a half west of Blackburn, in the Leyland Hundred, Comitatus Lancastriensis.

And like an enchanted

castle of Fære days, looks splendid and beautiful, particularly when bronzed by sunset, or silvered by moon-beams on a clear night.

The hill on whose summit it stands, appears as if it had been thrown up by a volcanic explosion. When arrived at the pondering porter's gate, under the centre square crenated tower, a passage leads through the pointed arched gateways, (over which is fixed a niche bearing the figure of a man in antique costume, astride a dragon, together with couped heads, mounting neat gothic pedimental mouldings at each angle, of carved stone, with the initials T. H. in gilt.) The gateways aforementioned leads to the first quadrangular courtyard, capable of holding 600 men; which scene the moment you enter, appears awfully impressive, and has a grand collegiate appearance. The noble embattled tower, forming the west front, with its two minor square towers similarly crenated, serving as an appendage to the north and south wing, united by a low wall, strikes the mind with an idea of the feudal grandeur of our forefathers. The grass starting from between the strong pavement in this (first) courtyard, the echo of our steps, the solitude, the silence, the air of mingled splendour and desolation, combined strongly to affect the senses and the imagination.

"Yet nought for ages there hath shone,
But towers defac'd, and scatter'd stone,
No more the draw.bridge, with spike and bar,
Revolve no more in sullen jar."

This massy pile of building was erected by Sir Thomas Hoghton, knight, in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's

reign, (1558,) when fully completed. The supporters were put up immediately over the arched door-ways of the middle or central quadripartite, and consists of a scutcheon, bearing as follows:- Per fesse, sable, a pale counterchanged, three bars argent, of the first and last: an etoile of five points of the second and third crest. On a wreath a bull passant argent. Supporters.-Two bulls argent. Motto" Malgre le tort," with the initials T. H. gilt. These were put up with great pomp in December 1558. Thomas Hoghton, knight, the builder of Hoghton Tower, married Catherine, daughter of Sir Thomas Gerrard, of Brynn, in Comitatus Lane, knight, and died the 22d of Elizabeth, leaving Jane, his daughter and heir, 26 years old, at his death, and at that time wife to James, son and heir to Roger Bradshaigh, of Haigh, in Com. Lane, Esq. who had a great contest about the estate, which was at length decided for Alexander, second brother, and next heir male to Thomas, father of Jane aforementioned.

Hoghton Tower was also inclosed and imparked by Richard De Hoghton, as may be proved thus:-" Ricardry De Hoghton, miles possit elargare parcum suum de Hoghton, Lanc. Pat. 15, Rieardry 2d. præd."

Within this first court yard, a noble flight of semi-circular steps, beautified on each side by square pillars, mounted with stones of a globular form, lead you up to the middle (or centre) quadripartite, presenting to the eye of the beholder a princely mansion, and is similar, in point of aspect, to Stonyhurst College, now occupied as a seminary for the edu cation of Catholic gentlemen. This middle wing was always occupied by the nobility, and contains large scaled staircases, branching out to long galleries, into which the banquetting, sitting, dressing, and other anti-chambers, or rooms, opened into. The room most worthy of notice, is King James the First's room, which possesses four elegant square windows in all, facing the north and south, and beautifully wainscotted. There are five antique chairs, with long backs, filled with mohair, and covered with fine blue cloth, fringed with tapestry, but are falling fast to decay.

An anti-chamber adjoins the same, containing a window of ten compart

ments, whose casings are filled with glass of a lozengy shape, and well wainscotted with oak. The room allotted for James the First of England, (and Sixth of Scotland.) When he visited this feudal residence in August, 1617, it was laid out with Spanish foot-cloth, or carpet, resembling velvet, on which was embroidered flowers and fruits, in such natural and glowing colours, that his majesty, the king, hesitated to place his foot on such exquisite workmanship: his table of old English oak, stood ready covered in his room with the finest linen, and a large portable court cupboard was placed with the leaves of its embossed folding doors displayed, shewing the shelves within, decorated with a large display of silver-plate, porcelain and polished pewter. His majesty's bed-chamber had also a foot-cloth of crimson velvet, bedecked with silver pearl. The pannel-work of oak was ornamented by gilt-work, in the form of guineas; the bedsteads were of oak, and richly trapped with scutcheons and other ornature: the bed itself formed a hill, it was so heaped with down, and was spread with a quilt, or coverlet, of silk; gold, silver, and ermine, were interjected here and there upon it; from under which peeped white sheets and blankets, as white as the dripping snow. The curtains were of blue velvet, lined with crimson silk, festooned with gold, and embroidered with antique figures and flower-work. Pistols and daggers, mounted with gold, were placed immediately over the head of the bed, (during the night,) which no doubt were presented to him by way of ceremony, than from any idea of danger. He (the king*) who visited this strong hold, used, when there, to stand upon the long gallery, leading to the wilderness at the north-east end of the building, watching the nobility and others hunt in the plains below, which it said gave him great pleasure during his stay here.

"How chang'd from that auspicious morn,
When echoing trump and bugle horn,
And shouts upon the breezes borne,
And thrilling pipe and drum,
Proclaimed in accents loud and shrill,
From crag to crag, and hill to hill,
King James! King James is come!

King James was so much pleased with a fine loin of beef, as to knight that joint here, which has ever since been denominated Sir Loin.

Then might I tell, in notes of fire,
How all the best of Lancashire,
The Asshetons, gay in ich attire,
The Parkers, Starkies son and sire,
To meet their monarch came;
And how, as up the steep they drew,
The monarch hail'd his subjects true,
Still doff'd his kingly bonnet blue,
And greeted knight and dame."

The green parlour, contains four paintings of the male kind, and two of the females, hanging against a damp wall, in fact the moulded frame-work, is bidding adieu to the paintings, and the ceiling in various parts is falling to decay, as well as the oaken wainscotting, making its departure from the damp and loathsome walls.

The hind building, forming the kitchen part and its offices, possesses two windows facing the west and east, of a pentagon form, each having forty compartments, together with a range of square window tracery, consisting of forty-five compartments, are in an excellent state of preservation. Over the entrance to this servants hall,hangsa lozenge frame, bearing an escutcheon thus.Per pale, sable, a bend argent, between two bends wavy or: The other. Or, a cross engrailed, per pale, sable and gules. Crest.-A Gryphons head, per pale, sable and gules. Motto 'Mors mihi vitæ. Two old massy oaken tables lie dormant in this place: This apartment was latterly converted into a kind of domestic chapel, (but not used at present.) A good gallery is placed in the north end. Out of this chapel is seen a quadrangular area, covered with vert-which according to tradition contained within its centre a beautiful statute of Mirmillo!-This place has to the eye of the observer, the appearance of a dilapidated monastic house, rather than the semblance of a baronial castle. There has been a delightful flower garden, consisting of the choicest fruits, hot-houses, serpentine walks and alleys winding in every direction.

On the slope of the hill north east and due east, beeche, oak, ash, spruce, larch, and scotch firs, grow in tall luxuriance. The river Darwen below, pursues with placid stream its devious course through the various enclosures at our feet. Thus when you peep through the reticulated branches, all appears picteresque and beautiful. The vista or avenue, has been cut down to the west front, which makes it have a naked and forlorn appearance.

Forest trees partly shrouded the turrets of Hoghton Tower from human view-(the view in the sixteenth century had all the appearance of a large forest capping the top of the hill.) The calm serenity of the wonderful tract of country around, caused the bosom to heave with pride, at the beauties of this sequestered and singular abode. The village of Walton Le Dale with Preston, appearing prettily in the distance. The single coned nese point by Freckleton, presents itself with indescribable majesty in the back ground, proudly sheltering its arm into the bellisamia, (Ribble) together with the adjacent country, enriching the back ground far to the westward. The impressions with which we left the vast fabric were singular-for they included almost a hope, that nothing more interesting might present itself among the objects which surrounded it, save a few individuals (the farmer and two families) who inhabit the south wing-of the south quadrangle, over which the following inscription cut in stone occurs-Cath. Hoghton, Mary Hogton, 1700, 2d Peter, Cap 7. Leeing, &c. &c."

This place was made a garrison, during the time of Charles 1st,- and part of it was blown up by accident, but was afterwards rebuilt.

Sir Gilbert Hoghton, Knight, was the personage whom King James visitedhe was knighted at Whitehall, July 21st, 1606, and was in great favour with his Majesty. He died in April, 1647.

Beneath its towers the ox is lowing,
Around its courts wild grass is growing,
The storied panes, where proudly shone,
Brave Knights and Barons bold, are gone,
The hall is waste and bare;

And turn not to the tower thine eye,
Where banners wont to wave on high,-
No banners glances there.

From Yours, &c.

MARM. TULKET, O. S. B.

Varieties.

PUN. A felon, who was just on the point of being turned off, asked the bangman if he had any message to send to the place where he was going. "I will trouble you with a line," replied the finisher of the law, placing the cord under his left ear.

A lucky hit.-An eccentric Irishman whose name was James Whitely, and who was well known in England as an itinerant Manager, was one night playing Macbeth, and having made his exit at the Stage-door to commit the murder upon Duncan, he demanded of the property-man where the colouring was, with which to give the appearance of being bloody to the daggers and his hands. The property-man, well knowing the consequence, trembled as he informed him that he had forgo ten it. "Have you my dear" said Whitelyand with his clenched fist he struck the man a violent blow upon the nose, which produced a copious flow of blood; with the precious liquid he quickly coloured his hands and the daggers, and telling the unfortunate fellow to be more careful, again he presented himself to the audience.

Courtship. The mode of courtship in some parts of Fife is curious-When the young man has the felicity to be invited of the same party with the maiden that hath won his affections, then doth he endeavour to sit opposite her at the table, where he giveth himself not up to those unseemly oglings and gazings which is practised in other parts to the offence of aged virgins and other persons of much discretion, but putting forth his foot, he presseth and treadeth withal upon the feet and toes of the maidens, whereupon if she do not roar forth, it is a sign that his addresses are well received, and the two come in due course before the minister.

This form of attack is known by the name of Footie, and the degree of pressure doth denote and measure the warmth of the passion.-Such young men as be bashful do hence make good speed: these do take with them a more forward friend, who shall, vicariously, and in their stead, give a light pressure and treading; and a person who doth thus melt the ice of coyness between the parties is, in these parts, called lightfoot, from the lightness of his pressure, Scotch Paper.

Lawyers. According to Asiatic Researches a very curions mode of trying the title of land is practised in Hindos. tan:-Two holes are dug in the disputed spot, in each of which the plaintiff and defendant's lawyers put one of their legs, and remain there until one of them is

tired, or complains of being stung by the insects, in which case his client is defeated. In this country it is the client, and not the lawyer who puts his foot into it.

Curious Will.-The following curious extract is from the will of the late W. Blackett, Esq. late Governor of Plymouth, proved in the year 1782:- "I desire that my body may be kept as long as it may not be offensive, and that one or more of my toes or fingers may be cut off, to secure a certainty of my being dead and I also make this further request to my dear wife, that as she has been troubled with one old fool, she will not think of marrying a second.Exeter Gazette.

An Account of the Rattle-snakeMr. James Pierce in his account of the geology, scenery, &c. of the countries of Newhaven and Litchfield has given the following account of the rattle-snake :

A young man having met with a large and vigorous rattle-snake, instead of killing it with his long cart-whip, as he easily could have done, amused himself by provoking it, and gently playing his whip around its body. The irritated reptile made repeated and vigorous leaps towards the young man, coming nearer to him at every effort; and being teased more and more with the whip, at last threw himself into the air with such energy, that when he descended he seemed scarcely to touch the ground; but instantly rebounding, executed a succession of leaps so rapid and so great, that there was not the slightest intermission, and he appeared to fly. The young man betook himself to a rapid flight; but this dreadful pursuer gained rapidly upon him, till approaching a fence, he perceived that he could not pass it before the fangs of the snake would be linked in his flesh. As his only resource, he turned, and by a fortunate throw of his lash, by which he wound it completely round the serpent's body, he arrested his progress, and killed him. Mr. Pierce had a living

rattle-snake two months in his possession, and every day watched his manners. He immediately killed birds and small animals when put into his cage, but did not eat them. He permitted a toad, however, to remain weeks with him unmo lested, and allowed it to leap upon its body, and sit upon its head. When he opened his mouth, his fangs were not visible unless he was provoked; at other times they were covered with a mem brane like a scabbard, only they were drawn back so that the sheathing membrane formed only a slight protuberance on each side of the upper jaw. If irritated, he flattened his head, threw it back, opened his mouth wide, and instantly the fangs were shot out of their sheaths like a spring dagger, and he darted upon his object. After his death," says Mr. P. "I examined the fangs they are shaped like a sickle; a duct leading from the reservoir of poison at the bottom of the tooth, quite through its whole length, and ter minated just by the point, which was exceedingly sharp. Thus the fang is darted out at the will of the animal; it makes the puncture at the instant, and simultaneously the poison flows through the duct, and is deposited in the very bottom of the wound. As this rarely fails to touch a blood-vessel, the venom is thus instantly issued into the system, and without delay commences the march of death through every vein and artery. - (American Journal of Sciences.)

To Correspondents.

We purpose, in our next publication, presenting our readers with a copious Review of the two remaining Tragedies, by Lord Byron, viz. SARDANAPALUS, and THE Two FOSCARI. Our limits oblige us to postpone the insertion of several interesting articles, till our next.

VERITAS if possible, next week.
Iunthe is under consideration.

Price 3 d.]

No. 12. Vol. I.

THAT life is short, even in the longest character that it is granted to man, is a fact which none will deny; and since this is the case, it surely behoves us to exercise that period in such a manner as will effect our temporal and secure our eternal happiness. In what precise way these important ends are to be effected, it is impossible to affirm. Mens' circum stances vary from each other; their pursuits do not assimilate; their occupations bear a wide and unconnected difference; and consequently it is out of our power to fix up any standard, or trace out any line of conduct which, when pursued, will lead to these objects. However, if men would but reflect, and whilst they reflect, act up to the suggestions of their minds, they might discover those things which are most likely to produce bliss, and, in a great measure, might chalk out such a method of life as will, eventually, lead to the best results.

How to spend our time is a grand consideration. It is worthy of the philosopher; it should engage the reflection of all. There are so many snares which beset 118, and so many inducements that call us to perpetrate evil, that it becomes an imperious duty to guard against any thing extraneous to the interests of virtue. However brief life may be, there is a sufficiency of time in that space to effect the fulfilment of the duties which society imposes, and to obey the commands of reverence and devotion to God. But men will not cultivate that period to the advantage which they might. Idleness is their companion, and attends them as a fatal bane unto their grave. To lavish away the fleet-winged hours, and allow them to glide past without making one effort to render them useful and to mark them with an excellent 2 A

VOL. 1.

Voltaire.

action, exhibits the strongest infatuation, and brings down culpability on the head of the offender. Yet we are doomed to witness thousands who would rather expend their days in blank idleness, or in insipid and worthless amusements, than in an engagement of worth and excellence; and I, (who would instil better desires in the bosoms of my readers,) to my confusion be it acknowledged, am amongst the many who have thus wasted many moments unprofitably, and have too frequently indulged in those gratifications which, though apparently harmless and not glaringly obnoxious, produce no real good, but to pursue which is a palpable prostitution of time and

reason.

"Labour," says my motto, frees us from three great evils-irksomness, vice, and want." The value of this labour is not to be measured by how much physical power is exerted, but by the good which arises from it. It perhaps would be better to render the word "industry;" as the former expression might be supposed to convey a meaning of manual prowess, or the accomplishment of some difficult and fatiguing undertaking. The labour, however, here meant, is that attention to business or application to the respective duties of a man who aims at living esteemed and happy in this world, and who would possess the life that is to come. Industry has a thousand benefits springing from the exercise of it. Health attends in its train; wealth flows from it in abundance; honour adds a lustre to its name: infamy shrinks from its place of abode; virtue goes hand in hand with it; bliss waits upon its votary, and showers down plentifully a lasting reward upon his efforts.