of great strength and effective construction; these were placed within bowshot of each other, and thus possessed an entire command of the intervening curtains. Between these, for the most part, were two guerites, or square watchtowers, placed upon the wall itself, and provided with machicolated parapets, through which missiles could be showered on the heads of the enemy. These were also provided each with an oeillet, opening from the passage beneath the platform. On the coping-stone of the centre merlon of the breast-work of each of these garrets was the figure in stone of an armed warrior, shewn only to the knees, to convey an impression to the enemy of the watchfulness of the garrison, or perhaps only designed as an elegant ornament or termination to the turret. Not one of these figures remains in its original position, but two have been found within an hundred yards of each other during the works for the Central Railway station. The first (that now on the castle staircase) was used as a walling stone at some subsequent repair, and the other buried in the soil at the exterior root of the wall, having been thrown off the garret into the moat beneath, and then gradually covered up. Our authority for the precise position of these figures rests on the MS. History of Newcastle, quoted by Bourne as the Milbank MS. The real writer was a Newcastle worthy who lived during the reigns of all the Stuart kings, and chronicled many local matters which now prove highly valuable. His words

are:-"Between every one of these [round] towers there were, for the most part, two watch towers made square, with the effigies of men cut in stone upon the tops of them, as though they were watching, and they were called garrets which had square holes over the walls to throw stones down."

Six of the bastions were each possessed of two obtusely arched apartments, with bold ribs. These chambers had also three cruciform œillets each, so formed that the archer could discharge his arrows with full effect to the very bottom of the ditch and base of the wall, while at the same time he could readily elude inimical shafts. Access to the first of these vaults was had from the ground, and to the second by a winding stair leading out of the first, though in many cases they were provided with stairs leading at once from the military way on the inside of the curtain to the upper chamber.

Nine other of these bastions had but one apartment, but that of larger size than the others, upon the ribbing of which, rested the platform, which in these cases was always gained from the curtain wall, and not by an internal stair. A good example of this arrangement may be viewed in Pink Tower, in Clayton-street, and also at Herber Tower, near the Fever Hospital. These nine bastions were provided with a series of corbellings projecting from the upper portion of the structure. That these once had borne some sort of defensive gallery, could not, I thought, be doubted; but in what manner I had not been able

to determine. Had the gallery, which must have been formed of wood, been thrown simply from corbel to corbel, it would have interfered with the use of the embrasures of the tower, without affording any sufficient compensating advantage. Mr. Albert Way and I, however, paid a visit to Pink Tower, one of the nine bearing these corbels. He suggested that they might have supported a defensive gallery, such as I had conceived probable, but carried aloft, over the breast-work of the tower, by means of vertical struts, set on the extremities of these corbels, thus enabling two sets of soldiers to be engaged at once in defending the tower. On ascending the platform, in order to satisfy ourselves as to whether there were upon the corbels any traces of such an arrangement, we were rewarded by finding the much weatherworn, but withal sufficiently distinct, traces of the socket in which we presume the strut has rested. The elevation thus gained would not only entirely preserve the defensiveness of the parapet of the tower, but would seem to have been devised as a compensating means of defence for those towers which had but one chamber, and consequently less altitude. It is further worthy of remark, that the towers with one chamber, and the arrangements

for the wooden gallery, are all placed in successive order, and on the north-western quarter of the fortification.

The accompanying sketch of Pink Tower has been prepared to exhibit the presumed arrangement of these wooden stages. The tower yet exists precisely as represented, with the exception, of course, of the stage and a few of the upper courses of masonry; but, as the base of each of the five œillets of the parapet remains, the restoration has been a matter of ease and certainty. The present height of the tower is 27 feet 6 inches; its original height probably 31 feet, with the stage 40 feet. The adjoining curtain is 22 feet, the original height.*

By the consultation of modern works of reference no definite idea is conveyed of the word "barbican," but Mr. Planché, who has referred to this subject in articlest on Anthony Bastard of Burgundy (who bore for his badge a device called a "barbacane") is of opinion that this has been a contrivance formed of wood and fixed about fortifications for the discharge of missiles, &c. He gives a figure of a moveable wooden tower for archers, wherein are drawn shutters for the embrasures evidently for the purposes I have suggested below. Possibly all such wooden works were called barbicans in the Middle Ages.

the platform of the tower, which pathway of the curtain wall. The wall to wall, 24 feet 6 inc.; and The projection of the corbels from

White Friar Tower and Corner Tower, from their peculiar positions on the wall, were somewhat different in form to those already classified, the former, however, consisting of two apartments, differed only in its form, which was circular, for being placed on the brow of a hill overhanging the Close, its embrasures were required to command a greater range than the others which sprung from the face of the curtain wall. The latter, Corner Tower, in order to suit a very peculiar angle of the wall overhanging the town of Pandon, was formed, as it were, by placing two of the watch towers at right angles with each other.

The merlons and embrasures of the parapet running along the curtains, rose in stages, to meet the superior elevation of the bastions and guerites so as to protect the stairs which led to the summits of each. In most cases the merlons immediately adjoining the towers have been pierced with cruciform loops.

From traces yet remaining near Pink Tower, it is evident that the embrasures have been provided with wooden shutters, swinging as it were from coping to coping, and capable of being lifted up for the discharge of missiles from the walls, and immediately closed so as to act as a shield from the arrows of the assailants.

The platform of the curtain in many parts, if not all, appears to have overhung the inner face of the wall, and to have been supported by a series of corbelling, much after the manner in which the guerites are made to project on the inner side of the wall. An excellent specimen of this arrangement may yet be observed in St. Andrew's church-yard, and, until lately, in that part of the wall which skirted the Earl's Inn, in the Close. Considerable additional breadth was thereby gained to the platform, so as to compensate for the loss of room by the parapet.

Besides the great gates which, from

The

their various character and size, cannot be described collectively, the wall was perforated at different points by many smaller ports, commonly called posterns. chief characteristics of at least two of the great gates were the possession of a main tower several stories in height, and an outwork, which I think it probable has in each case been additional to the larger and original structure.

All round on the inner face of the wall there was left a passage for the conveyance of the troops and military stores. As this was of very high importance, it was strictly preserved, and to this day is an uninterrupted footpath around the town.

The moat or ditch was of the uniform width of twenty-two yards, and fifteen feet deep. It everywhere surrounded the town except where the nature of the ground precluded it. It is now for the most part filled up.

For the defence of these walls the burgesses were under a well-organised military training. The town was divided into as many wards as there were gates and towers; these were twenty-four in number. The aldermen had these wards under their general superintendence, and each tower had two constables. The very curious muster of the fencible inhabitants taken in 1539, which I have edited in the Archæologia Æliana, conveys many valuable particulars as to the system then and formerly pursued.

Although nations, not so blessed as the English isles, still think it expedient to fortify and garrison their towns, here the remains of old ramparts and ditches are viewed by the present generation as matters of curiosity; and, so long as true-bred British tars continue to man our wooden walls, except for the security of her arsenals and the convenience of her fleets, England will never more need a fortified town. The din of battle within her coast has for ever been superseded by the more

welcome bustle and buzz of commerce; the refined enjoyments of civilisation and domestic happiness have permanently established their ascendancy throughout the land; and we may congratulate ourselves that the burgesses of Newcastle will never more be called by drum and fife to defend its walls.

Note. The reading of Mr. Richardson's paper was illustrated by several sketches by himself, and especially by a large and beautiful drawing prepared by

Mr. John Storey, a talented artist of Newcastle, and draughtsman to the Society of Antiquaries there. Mr. Storey had in the purely antiquarian portion of his labours been materially aided by the lecturer's sketches and researches; without such material in fact the drawing could not have been executed. We understand it is proposed that the Antiquaries of Newcastle should secure Mr. Storey's picture for their apartments in the castle, an arrangement which we hope will be effected.

THE NEIGHBOURS OF

MR. URBAN,-Next in interest to personal notice of a distinguished man is the place of his birth or sojourn. It has ever been so.

"The great Emathian conqueror did spare The house of Pindarus."

Ravenna competes with Rome and Florence, for that the bones of "Dante the Florentine "rest there after his strange and troubled life. A patriotic effort has recently been made to defend and preserve the house where the wonder Shakspere first lay "mewling and puking in his nurse's arms?" And France has remembered, to the honour of Marlborough, that he spared the lands of Fenelon. So it has been and is with the birthplace of Newton, than which no spot in England is more sacred. If I am able to go somewhat further than you have seen, and to introduce you to a circle of no mean character, of persons who breathed the same atmosphere, and who are to some extent identified with him as neighbours and friends, I hope my additions will also meet a cordial acceptance, and that you will be gratified by an acquaintance with the parties. The press has this power and privilege,—it brings the world, distant and present, living and having ceased to live, as it were, face to face, and none but the unworthy fear it.

The circle of which Woolsthorp is the centre is half way between London and York. Its healthy air and picturesque appearance in the earliest periods fixed attention. At Ponton, some four miles distant, towards Grantham, the Romans, who well knew how to select, stationed themselves, as is proved by the discovery of coins and other tokens of settlement. The monastic orders were equally good

SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

judges; and on the western bank of the Witham river, half a mile from its source, which is at Witham town, and for some miles, a slender mill-stream in breadth, there was a preceptory of those knightly monks the Templars. It can be shewn that many settlers came from Lancashire and parts of Cheshire and Derbyshire, generally juniors of families of name, to take up their abode in those parts of Lincolnshire. On the suppression of the Templars the Hospitallers succeeded them at Witham. Some time after the general confiscation by Henry VIII. "the lands called Great Temple, in South Witham," were granted, 5 Eliz. to Stephen Halford; from him the site and building as it stood, with its adjacent grounds, passed (I conclude by purchase) to Thomas, the son of "William Wimberley, of South Witham, temp. Hen. VII. who came out of Lancashire." (MS. Harleian 1174, fol. 50, and Heralds' College.) It remained in the family until 1761 or thereabouts, when it became, with the mansion, the post-house, and other lands, the possession of Lord William Manners, younger brother of the Duke of Rutland, from whom it has descended to the present Earl of Dysart, who resides a short distance off at Buckminster.

There was in this circle in the 16th, 17th, and part of the 18th centuries, a choice cluster of families, "gentle" and truly worthy of the name-the Armyns of Osgodby, the Conyes of Basingthorpe, the Harringtons of Exton, afterwards ennobled, and of South Witham; the Sherards of Stapleford, also ennobled, and the Sherards of Lobthorpe; the Burys of Ashwell and Wissendine; the Cholmeleys of Burton and Easton; the Turnors of Stoke Roch

ford, now owners of Woolsthorp; the Ellis's of Ponton; the De Lignes and Gregorys of Harlaxton; and the Welbys of Denton. The fine mansions of Grimsthorp, Irnham, Stapleford, Belton, and Syston, a little beyond, and the magnificent castle of Belvoir, outskirted their possessions, and made the picture every way complete.

The Armyns of Osgodby were of high antiquity. They date as far back as the time of Henry the Third, and by marriage with the heiress of St. Medard had that addition to their name. At the Parleament holden at Lincolne in the quindene of St. Hillery, in the 9 yeare of Ed. II. (1316) William de Areminne, Clerke of the Chauncery, was speciallie deputed by the Kinge to drawe this Rowle of Parleament." (MS. Harleian.) In the 18th year of the same reign William Ayermyn was Bishop of Norwich, Lord Keeper and Lord Treasurer. William Armin, of Osgodby, married Katherine, the daughter of Sir John Thimelby, of Irnham, knight, who was then possessed of the manor of Woolsthorpe; he was contemporary with John Newton and his son Richard Newton (the latter was 66 servant to Master Armin,') and also with Christopher Wimberley, who married Elizabeth Armin his daughter (first wife) (Wimberley pedigree, Heralds' College); he died in 1558.

Not less distinguished at that period was the family of the Conyes of Basingthorpe, of which Westby is a hamlet. It was of French extraction. Robert Conin

(afterwards Anglicised,) came to England with Isabella, daughter of King Philip of France, who was married to Edward II. at Boulogne, and crowned with him at Westminster Feb. 24, 1308. The Conyes settled early in South Lincolnshire, and formed excellent alliances; their landed possessions at the period I treat of were very wide, as is shewn by various post mortem inquisitions. A curious and interesting document relating to this family was read, in January 1792, by Edmund Turnor, esq. (of the family which I have already named) to the Society of Antiquaries, and published in the Archæologia. It gives an account of the property and expenses of Thomas Conye, the son of Richard Conye, who succeeded his father in 1545 like him he was a merchant of the staple of Calais, and he was also a merchant adventurer of England. It is called his household book, and stretches over a period of no less than fifty-four years. It tends, as Mr. Turnor suggests, to ascertain the proportions of various disbursements at that period, and to shew what was a suitable provision for the fami

lies of persons in his station. He married Alice, the second daughter of Sir Thomas Legh, knight, alderman of London, and ancestor to Francis Leigh Earl of Chichester and Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh.

He was in 1558 taken prisoner at Calais, and conveyed under durance to Boulogne, whence he was ransomed after two months at the price of 3741. In 1573 he was sheriff of Rutlandshire, and wore on the nomination his chain of gold, weighing 32 ounces, which was given him by his wife. Of the house of the Conyes at Basingthorpe the north wing only is now standing, but in good preservation and worthy of notice; it has been converted into a farm-house, and is called, not by the name of its ancient possessor, but "the great house that Mr. Gibson lives at." I noticed the cognisance, a demi coney holding a pansy flower, carved on the building, and also the date of its erection, 1568.

Basingthorpe, Westby, and Bitchfield, are only a few closes apart. The initials T. W. for Thomas Wimberley, and the date, 1588, are on the parsonage at Bitchfield, now also a farm-house; the rectory was in the family, by lease from the Bishop of Lincoln, until the 23d Charles II. (1671,) when it passed to Sir Thomas Clarges, who acquired large property in the neighbourhood. Whether it went by assignment or by what other means I am unable to say.

Of the Ellis's of Ponton, Anthony Ellis was also a merchant of the staple of Calais. An anecdote has come down of his having sent his wife a cask labelled "Calais sand," which the careful dame, not divining its intended use, stowed away in the cellar, and kept there until he returned to Ponton; it contained all his movable wealth. He devoted a portion of it to the re-construction of the church, which "has a very large fair tower steeple, strong and very well layd;" it is admired for its proportion and elegance. The Ellis arms and motto,

Thynke and Thanke God of all, are carved in various parts of it; it was completed in 1519. Anthony Ellis lies on the north side of the chancel.

Ponton at an earlier period belonged to the Harringtons, who came out of Lancashire; a wide-spread and famous race of men. Those of Exton, Witham, and Leicestershire, were from the Harringtons of Aldingham in the former county. In the Troughton Petition to which I referred in my last communication,* Sir John Harrington of Exton is graphically described.