ALNWICK CASTLE.

SOME of the numerous palaces of the nobility of this country are magnificent works of art. One of the grandest of these is Alnwick Castle, of which a beautiful view is given in the accompanying engraving; the principal residence of the Duke of Northumberland. It is situated on the south side of the river Aln, in the county of Northumberland, on a hill that gives it a very noble appearance. From its strength, it was a place of much importance in early times, particularly in the long wars between Scotland and England, before they were united into one kingdom. Malcolm III, King of Scotland, and his son, were both killed in besieging this castle, in 1093, and the circumstances of the death of

the former are interesting, as showing the mode of warfare common to that time. Malcolm had visited the court of William Rufus, the King of England, who behaved towards him with great insolence and contempt. The Scottish king returned in high displeasure, and began, in revenge, to ravage the north of England with fire and sword. With a large army, commanded by himself and his son Edward, he besieged the castle of Alnwick, surrounded it with his soldiers so closely, that no one could go in or come out; hoping soon to starve it into a surrender. It was on the very point of yielding, when one of the garrison undertook its rescue by the following stratagem: he rode forth completely armed, with the keys of the castle tied to the end of his spear, and presented himself in an humble manner before the king's pavilion, as if he were come to give up possession. Malcolm came forth quite unsuspiciously to receive the keys, when the soldier suddenly pierced him with the spear, and inflicted a mortal wound. He then turned his horse and escaped across the river. The

garrison immediately rushed out, and put the whole army

to flight.

The castle of Alnwick contains a great many towers, and halls, and rooms, which I cannot enumerate to you; all, of course, fitted up in a very splendid manner, suitably to the state of one of the highest peers in the kingdom. The figure of a lion with extended tail, looking very fierce, is seen sculptured here and there, over gateways and in similar places, as this animal forms what is called the crest of the Duke of Northumberland. On the top of the walls there are some curious images cut in stone, representing soldiers defending the place in various ways, and using such arms as were then common. Two guards, for instance, are sculptured on one of the gateways, in the act of throwing down a large stone on the heads of the enemies below.

We cannot visit any ancient castle, without having our feelings shocked by what was considered absolutely necessary to such a building the dungeon. That of Alnwick Castle is a horrible stone cell underground, and has no entrance