industry of the inhabitants. The latter is not to be supposed; for the spirit of agriculture, introduced by the gentlemen of the environs, is in as flourishing a way amongst the farmers of this neighbourhood, as in other parts of the kingdom. The superfluities of the market are bought up for Kendal, where much of that produce is wanting which superabounds here.

The most remarkable objects at Penrith, are the beacon, on the summit of the hill above the town, and the awful remains of the royal fortress, on the crest of the rising ground that commands the town. It is supposed to be an erection of Henry VI. out of the ruins of a more ancient structure called Mayburgh; but this is not very probable, since stones are easier quarried here than they could be got there. But as popular records have generally some fact to rest upon, and some truth in the bottom, so some facings and other principal stones taken from Mayburgh, might give rise to the tradition. There might also have been a stronghold here in the time of the Romans. At present the buildings are ruins in the last stage. One stone arched vault only remains, that from its situation appears to have been the keep, now no longer terrible, since the border service ceased, and a mutual inter

course of trade and alliance happily took the place of national reprisals and family feuds.

The antiquity of this town is supposed to be found in its name being of British derivation, from Pen and Rhudd, signifying in that language, a red head or hill; and such is the colour of the hill above the town, and the ground and stones round it. But with respect to situation, it may as well be derived from Pen, the head, and Ryn, a promontory, and so be referred to the beacon hill. It might however be judged a more honourable etymon to derive the name from Pen and Rhydd, of Rhyddaw, to make free, and that on account of special service or fidelity to the Roman government, the Britons of this town were emancipated from the abject slavery which the nation in general were subjected to, by their tyrannical masters. This, in their own language, might be Penrhydd, and pronounced by the Britons, as by the Welch at this day, Penrith. However this may be, it has been the happiness of this town to remain a royal franchise through all the ages of feudal servitude; at least ever since the reign of Edward I. without the incumbrance of a charter, and it is now peaceably governed by the steward of the honours, and a free jury. The honours of both town and castle belong to the Duke of Portland.

In the church-yard are some sepulchral monuments, which have been long the subject of antiquarian speculation, not yet decided. Thus much is evident, that the pillars alluded to are of one stone, formed like the ancient spears; the shafts round, for about seven feet high; above that, they appear to be square, and to have terminated in a point. They are about ten feet high, stand parallel to the church, distant from each other fifteen feet. The space between is inclosed with circular stones, by some conjectured to represent boars. There remains visible, on

the upper part of the pillars, some ornamental work, but no inscription or figures appear at present, and the stones are so much fretted by time, that it rests upon mere conjecture to affirm there ever were any. They probably mark the tomb of some great man, or family, before the custom was introduced of interring within churches, and are most likely British, or if not, must be Saxon.

There are many pleasing rides in the environs of Penrith; most of them lead to curious remains of ancient monuments, or to modern rural improvements. In Whinfieldpark are the Countess-pillar, the White-hart tree, and the Three-brothers' tree; the first particular is a filial tribute of Ann, Countess Dowager of Pembroke, to the memory of her pious mother, Mary, Countess Dowager

of Cumberland; and the trees are the remains of large aged oaks, that have long out-lived their own strength. One of them is upwards of nine yards in circumference. Brougham-castle is an awful ruin, the Brovoniacum of the Romans, and since that the bulwark of Westmorland, on that side, and the pride of its Earls for many descents. In the roof of a gallery, is a stone with a Roman sepulchral inscription, much defaced. At Little-Salkeld is the largest druidical circle in the northern parts. Near Eamont bridge is Arthur's round table, and at a small distance from it is Mayburgh, both of remote antiquity, and doubtful use. The first may

be presumed to have been a place of public exhibition for martial exercises, and the latter has the circumstances of a British fort; but the rude pillar inclines some to believe it the remains of a druid temple. It is entirely formed of loose stones and pebbles, collected from the adjacent rivers and fields. That the height has once been great, may be collected from the vast breadth of the base, increased by the fall of stones from the top. It incloses a circular area of 80 yards or more, and near the middle stands a red stone, upwards of three yards high. The entrance is on the eastern side, and opens to a sweet view of Brougham-house, to which the rude pillar when whitened (and of this Mr. Brougham is very careful) is a fine obelisk.

If the name of this very extraordinary monument was Breingwin, then Mr. Pennant, from Rowland, has pointed out its use, viz. "a supreme consistory of druidical administration, as the British name imports." But if the present name be a Saxon corruption of the ancient name, which probably was Myfirion, by the Saxons pronounced Maybirion, or Maybir, and to bring its till nearer to their own language, Mayburgh, then this conjecture being admitted, it will signify a place of study and contemplation". Such places the druids had, and were the public school destined for the colloquial instruction of pupils in mysteries of religion, and the arcana of civil government. Druidical remains are frequent in this neighbourhood, and many of them similar; but Mayburgh is such a huge and singular construction, that it must have been designed for some extraordinary use.

From the beacon the views are many, all extensive and vast. The eye is in the centre of a plain, inclosed with a circle of stupendous mountains of various forms. The plain is adorned with many ancient towns, and more ancient castles, stations, and castellums, where the Roman eagle long displayed her wings; but which are now possessed by a happier people, who enjoy, with freedom,

Mona Antiqua, page 84.