state occasions, as the banqueting room. It is spa cious and lofty, with a noble antique window at one end, in nine compartments, richly painted in figures, arms, and varied ornaments of the most brilliant colours, but bearing the marks of time. Among the arms and figures are those of the Emperor Constantine, and kings Arthur, Alfred, and William the Conqueror. The windows at the sides were originally executed by the same artist; but became so much mutilated that they were removed, and are now replaced by modern glass stained in fac-simile of the original, with exquisite skill and beauty. In their various compartments, canopied with Gothic decorations, are exhibited portraits of the most distinguished members of the original fraternity; Earls, Countesses, and Mayors of the city, intermingled with Bishops, Arch-bishops, and Priors, in the magnificent attire of official dresses, glowing with the rich colour of their robes, and the splendour of their jewellery. A beautiful oriel window also forms a principal ornament of this apartment; and the gallery, formerly occupied by the minstrels, still remains at one end, and is now ornamented with suits of armour and full-length portraits of Charles II., James 11., William and Mary, and George 1., 11., and Ill. The walls are covered with inscriptions and armorial bearings; and the centre timbers of the roof present full-length figures of angels, in carved work, playing on different musical instruments. A principal curiosity of this hall is an antique oaken chair of state, covered with carving and tracery; and another, a piece of tapestry beneath the great window, exhibiting Henry V1. sur rounded by his court on one side, and Queen Margaret and her ladies on the other, at worship in state in St. Michaels, during their visit at Coventry, with the patron Saint of each individual in a compartment above, and a representation of the Virgin Mary in glory, encircled by the angels in the centre. The figures of the king and queen, and the individuals of their court, are thought to be portraits; and no doubt furnish a correct delineation of costume and attitude, as exhibited in the pageant furnishing the subject of the piece. A room of the structure, famed in days of yore, is the "Mayoress' Parlour," adjoining the banqueting hall. The mayor and corporation were holding a meeting in it the hour we were there, and it could not be shown; a matter of little moment, however, notwithstanding its having been the prison-room of Mary Queen of Scots, as the whole interior is now in modern architecture. An old council-chamber is in better keeping with the pile; and by its antique chair of state for the mayor, and heavy seats of stall-like aspect for his associates, massive council-table, and wainscot, all of oak, keeps the imagination still deeply impressed with images of antiquity. The ceiling is of flat oaken panelling; and in its embellishments is strikingly illustrative of the spirit and feeling of the age which produced it—presenting, in carved work, symbols of the four Evangelists in each corner of the room, and in the centre effigies of numerous saints, surrounding the Deity, represented as an old man wearing a crown, with his arms and hands extended, and projecting from the surface, as if in the act of blessing those in council below. RUINS OF KENILWORTH, AND WARWICK CASTLE. Spires of Coventry-First impressions at Kenilworth-Description of the Ruins-Richness and beauty of Warwickshire—Arrival at Warwick-Church of St. Mary-Ladies' ChapelTomb of Richard of Warwick-The Castle-Its general effect -Uncourteous Cicerone--The Hall--Boudoir of the Countess --Paintings-Relics of Guy of Warwick-View from the Tower, and notice of the Gardens. DEAR VIRGINIA, Black Swan, Warwick, THE spires of Coventry, pointing like needles to the sky, were, on our departure, as on our arrival, the chief objects of admiration and comment, till a near approach to Kenilworth, at the end of half an hour, fixed every look in eager search of the ruin, around which the pen of genius has thrown an interest, in our own day, outrivalling the recollections of all its historic glory. Distant glimpses of ivy-covered walls and towers were soon caught before us, as we were whirled rapidly over a road, branching for a short distance from the main route, to a little hamlet near the Castle; and prepared us, by the occasional gaze of a moment, for the depth of impression which a full view of the first object of the kind ever beheld, with the various associations inseparable from it, is calculated to make on the imaginations of those whose country even was unknown to the world, when these then stately battlements and turrets were gleaming widely in the meridian brightness of earthly honour. The enclosure of a few acres, by which the ruin is guarded from wanton trespass and depredation, is separated from the road by a wall, through which a keeper admits, by a small gate, the visitors who now, in greater or less numbers, are daily attracted to the place. Before our carriage could draw up at this entrance, we were surrounded by a troop of little girls from the neighbouring cottages, each so eager to anticipate her fellows in the sale of a book of description, that I had several thrust into my hands before the chaise door could be opened; and from whose importunity to dispose of a second copy, after one had been purchased, we were freed only by the shutting of the keeper's gate, after we had passed through. The noise with which this closed again upon the wall, started hundreds of rooks from every part of the ivy-clustered pile before us, who, hovering around, with loud cawings, proclaimed, in no uncertain language, that the only inhabitants of that which once was among the stateliest of palaces, were now flocks of unclean birds. Trifling as this incident may appear, it gave a tone to every feeling with which I afterwards contemplated the scene; and became the inlet to musings which will long remain associated with a recollection of the hour. The morning was bright and lovely; and only the moment before, I had been in an exuberance of fine spirits; but now, an irresistible thoughtfulness came over me, and I was at once spiritless and sad. A thousand imaginations rushed upon my mind; and as I gazed around, 1 became lost in interrogatives connected with the present and with the past. Before us was the scene of one of the most magnificent and costly pageants, ever witnessed in the kingdom, and the princely castle of one honoured beyond precedent, with the confidence and favours of the throne. But where was the elysian imagery of land and water, that was once spread around? Where the noble park, with its antlered herds? Where the mirrored lake, and its Triton and Arion, in the midst of sportive mermaids and dolphins? Where the groups of gods and goddesses, pouring their richest gifts at the feet of royalty? Where the chivalrous display of the tournament and tilt-yard-the clangour of the joyous trumpet, and the strains of enrapturing music, swelling on the breeze? Where the gay and festive throng -the courteous host and favourite-and where the stately queen? All gone-and gone forever, without leaving a trace behind! The wide-spread hunting grounds are traversed now, only by the plough-boy and the reaper. Where was once the lake, is a widely tufted meadow; and the castle itself, from whose gilded turrets the banner of England, then so proudly gleamed, is a crumbling mass of ruin, amidst which, even the outlines of the banqueting hall, then, filled with all the wit, beauty, and splendour of the court, can scarce be traced; and where, in place of the music and revelry, is now only heard the uncouth noise of rooks and ravens, and the movements of the reptiles of the earth! |