pointed style. "The western front, and some other detached parts, exhibit equally beautiful specimens of the enriched Gothic, near the time of the Dissolution; and the space occupied by the entire range of the conventual buildings, furnishes a magnificent idea of the grandeur of the establishment. This effect is, however, injured by the want of vaulting in the nave, choir, and south transept, (which was probably interrupted by the Dissolution) and by the nature of the stone, which, partly from its friability, and partly from its exposure to the sea breezes, has long lost the greater part of its external ornaments. The progress of ruin is aided by the great inequalities which progressive decay has made in the surface. Every exertion has of late years been made by the Chapter, under the auspices of the late Dean, in perfecting substantial and even ornamental repairs but it is to be feared that the general decay is far beyond any restoration which the slender funds of the Cathedral can supply; and the lapse of another century will probably level a considerable portion of the venerable fabric with the ground."

About the year 785 the bishopric of Chester was incorporated with Lichfield. In 1075 the Bishop of Lichfield removed his episcopal seat to Chester. His successor returned back to Lichfield; and Chester remained without a bishop until after the Dissolution of the monasteries. In the thirty-third of Henry VIII. the present bishopric of Chester was erected, of which the first bishop was John Bird, who had been a Carmelite

friar.

Contiguous to the Cathedral are the remains of St. Werburgh's Abbey, already noticed. The bishop's palace, rebuilt in 1752, the prebendal, and other good modern houses, forming what is called the Abbey-square, occupy the rest of the precinct.

:

Previous to the Dissolution there also existed in Chester a religious community of women established within the walls; the black, the white, and the grey friars, had each an establishment here. There was also a college of the Holy Cross; the Hospital of St. Anne, and of St. John the Baptist, of which the latter escaped suppression, and continues to this day there were also numerous parish churches. On the Dissolution of the house of St. Werburgh, its church became the Cathedral of the new see. A dean and six prebendaries were placed in it, Thomas Clark, the last abbot of St. Werburgh, being made the first dean. The revenue of the dissolved monastery furnished a provision for the bishop, prebendaries, and dean. At the same period, 1544, a grammar-school was founded for twenty-four boys, which still continues, and from it the cathedral choristers are selected; its annual revenue is 1087., and it has one exhibition to either university. Chester has now nine parish churches, and two others not parochial. St. John's Church is a magnificent specimen of Saxon architecture.

The old Norman castle is said to have been erected by William the Conqueror in 1069. This, with the exception of one tower, was removed in 1790, to make way for the modern castle, a magnificent structure, containing the county courts and gaol, together with government barracks and an armoury. This is the finest structure in Chester, and does credit to the architect, Mr. Harrison, a native of the place. The buildings occupy three sides of a large quadrangle, the entrance to the area being by a splendid Doric portico. The military government of the castle is vested in a governor and lieutenant-governor. The gaoler, who has the custody of both debtors and felons, holds his place by patent, and is called constable of the castle.

Within the ancient fortress an instance occurred of a felon, who stood mute on his trial, suffering 'peine forte et dure," till he died. "One Adam, son of John, of the Woodhouses, was, in 1310, the fourth of Edward II., committed for burning his own houses, and carrying away the goods. He stood mute; a jury as usual was impannelled, who decided that he could speak if he

pleased. On this he was committed ad dietam. And afterwards John le Morgan, constable of the castle, testified that the aforesaid Adam was dead, ad dietam.” This term was ironical, expressive of the sad sustenance the sufferer was allowed; viz. on the first day three morsels of the worst bread; on the second, three draughts of water out of the next puddle; and this was to be alternately his diet till he died." By a law passed in twelfth George III., a prisoner remaining mute when arraigned, is held to be guilty, and may be condemned and executed.

1

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The sheriffs of Chester formerly held their courts in an ancient building called the "Pentice," or Appentice," situated at the junction of the North and Eastgate-streets. It was removed in 1805 for the purpose of widening the streets. The sheriffs formerly had to carry into execution the sentence of all criminals capitally convicted, not only within the jurisdiction of the city and county, but also within the county of Chester at large. A writ was directed to them from the court of gaol delivery, requiring them to execute the criminal on a certain specified day. This duty was always regarded by the sheriffs as a great hardship and annoyance; and an attempt was made to get rid of it on the passing of the act 1 William IV. "for the more effectual administration of justice in England and Wales." It was contended that several clauses of this act relieved the sheriffs from this painful duty, and they determined to try the question on the first opportunity. This occurred in 1834, when two men were left for execution at Chester, for one of the worst, if not the very worst, forms of murder-assassination for hire. The sheriffs refused to execute the criminals, and they, therefore, remained in gaol long after the day appointed for the purpose; they were respited from time to time, and at length the Court of King's Bench reassumed a power, which it had formerly possessed, of granting writs for removing both the conviction and the bodies of the criminals, from the inferior to the superior court. The criminals were accordingly removed from Chester to the Court of King's Bench, where their sentence was read, and they were executed at Horsemonger-lane Gaol on the 25th November, 1834. In order to settle the disputed point, an Act was passed in the next session of Parliament, by which the sheriffs of the city of the county of Chester, for the time being, are to execute the sentence of death upon all criminals appointed to die for offences committed within the county of Chester.

Chester was once a place of considerable trade. The port of Chester is thus described by Lucian, a monk of St. Werburgh's, in the twelfth century::-"The beautiful river on the south side serves as an harbour for ships from Gascoigne, Spain, Ireland, and Germany, who, by the guidance of Christ, and the industry and prudence of the merchants, supply and refresh the heart of the city with abundance of goods; so that, through the various consolations of the Divine favour, we have wine in profusion from the plentiful vintages of those countries." The chief articles of commerce in ancient Chester are thus enumerated by Hakluyt :

"Hides and fish, salmon, hake, herringe, Irish wool and linen cloth, faldinge, And martems good, be her marchandie, Hertes hides, and other of venerie, Skins of other, squirrel, and Irish hose, Of sheep, lamb, and foxe, is her chaffare, Fellies of kids, and conies great plenty." The superior advantages of Liverpool as a port have removed most of the commerce from Chester to that place. The formation of the great Holyhead Road also materially injured Chester, which is now no longer one of the chief points of communication with Ireland. The Irish Linen Trade, once so flourishing in Chester, has wholly ceased. The hall built by the Irish Linen Company in 1780, is now used for the cheese fairs, which

(1) From Appentilium, a small building attached to a larger one.

Chester is liberally provided with the means of education. In addition to the King's School, already noticed, it has a Blue-Coat School, founded in 1700; two Charity Schools, founded in 1717, on the site of the ancient hospital of Saint John, one for 38 boys, of whom 28 are also maintained, and the other for a like number of girls. The Marquis of Westminster, (whose magnificent seat, Eaton Hall, is situated about three miles south of Chester) established a school in 1811 for the education of between 400 and 500 children. It is entirely supported by that nobleman. There is also a diocesan school on Dr. Bell's plan for 150 boys; there are three infant schools, and several large dissenting and Sunday schools.

The charitable institutions of Chester are equally liberal. There is a county infirmary and a county lunatic asylum, each having accommodation for 100 patients; a lying-in hospital, a house of industry, several sets of alms-houses, and various charitable bequests, the chief of which (Jones's) produces about 4007. a-year, which is shared by the members of the ancient city guilds.

Chester also contains a good public library, newsroom, commercial rooms, &c., a small theatre, and a good market-place. The city and its suburbs (which of late years have been considerably extended) are paved, lighted by gas, and supplied with water, which is raised by a steam-engine from the Dee, and conducted by pipes to a large reservoir.

The population of Chester in 1821 amounted to 19,949; in 1831 to 21,363; and in 1841 to 24,657.

THE MAIDEN AUNT.

DUNCOMBE PARK,1

CHAP. III. (Conclusion.)

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Dec. 16th. The Colonel has chosen his line of action, and I have discovered it in a manner which precludes the possibility of mistake. As I descended to breakfast this morning, I heard him talking to his daughters, and paused for a moment on the threshold of the room. Your Aunt Margaret, my dears," said he, in a sustained and complacent tone of voice," is a very good, but a very weak woman. I should wish you to show her every possible kindness during the time of her stay with us, but at the same time I would have you very careful not to suffer her thoughts or sentiments to have any influence over your own." " That is exactly what I thought of her, papa," responded Anna, with alacrity. In I walked, as demure as possible, and quite contented to be forgiven, because I was counted for a fool. Here is the end of all my secret self-congratulations on the high place which I held in my brother-in-law's good opinion! I am properly punished for my vanity. And now we all go on very peacefully, though in a strange manner enough. The Colonel tacitly avoids me as much as possible, but is very civil to me when we come in contact; there is an air of good-humoured condescension about him, and an evident endeavour to let himself down to my level when he does speak to me; nevertheless he seems half conscious that his superiority is not genuine, and never meets my eye if he can help it. He no longer treats me to orations of laboured ease, on his ways, thoughts, and principles; but this is mani festly a great restraint to him, and more than once he has begun involuntarily, and got as far as " My position as father of a family- -"but here ought to come the affable little bow to me, so here he stops, clears his throat with an air of vexed recollection indescribably comic,

(1) Concluded from page 167.

see whether I am laughing, and suffers the premature speech to die a natural death, one scarcely knows how. Anna follows his lead very closely, and is as cool and as civil as she can be. The only difference between them is, that she sometimes brings me a difficult passage in her German studies, and looks a good deal provoked when she finds that I am able to explain it. Sweet little Janet continues faithful and fond, and wins every day on my affections. I told her simply that I had made the effort to soften her father, but had completely failed; and though she cried bitterly, she was so grateful to me for my zeal in her brother's cause, that she seems to love me all the better for it. If it were not for her, and for my great anxiety to see Adêle, who is to arrive the day after to-morrow, and to discover what the Colonel's intentions are with regard to her, I think I should bring my visit to a very speedy conclusion. As it is, I shall stay to the end of the month for which I was originally invited; but I cannot help thinking that I shall not soon receive a second summons to Duncombe Park.

Dec. 18th.-Adêle is here. She arrived from Exeter at about 12 o'clock to-day. I scarcely know whether I like her or not, and at present I certainly do not understand her. I must begin at the beginning, however, and write down all that has taken place, and perhaps, in so doing, I may attain a clearer comprehension of my own thoughts concerning her. Anna and I were at work in the drawing-room when she arrived; a little confusion in the hall, and the pleasant sound of a young child's voice, announced her, some five minutes before she actually made her appearance. I longed to run out and bid her welcome; indeed I was in the very act of doing so, but Anna sate perfectly still, and I felt as if I had no right to be more empressée than she was.

Janet was

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in the school-room taking her French lesson; altogether there was an awkward chilly pause, during which I looked wistfully at the door, and pitied with all my heart the young stranger whose entrance I expected every minute, and whose feelings I could well imagine. I consoled myself by remembering that she was a Frenchwoman, and therefore was not likely to lose either grace or presence of mind, even under these most trying circumstances. I was not mistaken. She entered and received Anna's cold embrace without the slightest appearance of embarassment, lifting her large dark brilliant eyes to her face with so fixed and penetrating a gaze, that the hostess was abashed rather than the guest. She held by the hand her little boy, a lovely child of three years old, and the nurse followed with the baby. I was touched, and even overcome, but so repelled by the mother's manner, that I was glad to hide my emotion by stooping to caress the little ones. Adêle is not regularly handsome, but her eyes are magnificent, and when she lifts her full, wan eyelids, the radiance absolutely astonishes you. She is small, and very fragile in figure, and her pale olive complexion gives the idea of delicate health. Her dress, and her whole aspect, had the painful air of poor gentility-telling clearly of an effort to make the smallest possible expenditure produce the best effect. Thus her gown, a common print, such as maid-servants wear, fitted her with the most scrupulous precision, and was made in the last style of fashion, her snowy cuffs and collar were embroidered by her own hands, and her coarse straw bonnet was put on with the grace of a true Frenchwoman. The fairy proportions of her feet and hands, and the quiet elegance of her whole deportment, might have become a duke's daughter. She said very few words, and her foreign accent was markedly perceptible. I could not make out at the time, neither can I tell now, whether she felt the meeting as she might be expected to feel it; one thing is certain, she is either very callous, or very accomplished in the art of controlling the emotions. Had I been in her place, I am sure that I could not have restrained my tears for a moment.

After the first greetings were exchanged, Adêle stooped to untie her little boy's straw hat, and she was thus engaged when the Colonel entered the room. Now, thought I, comes the great trial; and, fully expecting her composure to give way, I advanced sympathizingly to her side, and said in a low voice, "Here is Colonel Harwood." I wanted to give her a moment's preparation for the encounter. Her face did flush a little, and she kept her eyes resolutely fixed on the ground; but, to my surprise, she very quietly finished releasing her boy from the confinement of his hat and large fur tippet, and then led him forward to his grandfather, whose salutation she received quite calmly, but in silence, and without raising her eyes for a moment. The child looked splendidly handsome; his cheeks glowing with the keen frosty air, and an abundance of rich brown curls falling around his bright innocent face, and resting on his plump white shoulders. Even the Colonel seemed to be somewhat moved at the sight of his grandchildren; he twice cleared his throat, and his usual fluency forsook him. Nothing could be more painful than the silence and awkwardness of the whole party, and everybody appeared to feel it, except this inexplicable Adêle, who was quite placid and composed, though more silent than all the rest.

"What is your name, my fine fellow?" said the Colonel, drawing his grandson towards him, and making a desperate effort to shake off the influence of the embarrassed faces around him. The child turned with an impulse of timidity to his mother, who put her hands upon his shoulders, and slightly urged him towards the questioner, without herself speaking. Then the little fellow lifted his cloudless blue eyes to Colonel Harwood's face, and replied in that grave, doubtful manner in which a young child strives to repeat anything that has been taught to it," Everard, grandpapa-your own name;" then clinging to Adêle, with a fresh access of shyness, he added, in a loud whisper, "Is that right, mamma, is that right?"

Colonel Harwood walked abruptly to the window, and at this moment Janet entered; Anna introduced her to Adêle almost as if she had been an ordinary morning visitor, and it was a relief to the poor girl's overcharged feelings to turn to the baby, a sweet fair creature of eleven months old, which in five minutes she was nursing as though she understood the business scientifically, and had practised it all her life. Indeed, had it not been for the children, I do not know how we should have got through that interminable morning; the five hours which elapsed before we went to dress for dinner seemed longer than any hours that I ever passed in my life. Knowing, as I did, all the feelings which ought to have been, which must have been burning with different degrees of intensity into the very heart of every member of the party, never did the ordinary etiquette and decorum of society appear so misplaced, so utterly senseless, so indescribably burdensome. But I certainly was not the person whose business it was to throw them aside, and, much as I longed to clasp my arms around Adêle, and tell her how completely she possessed my sympathy, and how ready I was to love her, a single glance at her cold inanimate countenance effectually deterred me from any exhibition of the kind, and I was as quiet and well-behaved as the rest. Janet had all the natural shyness of a very young girl, who, not having sounded the depths of her own or of any other heart, scarcely comprehends what she finds there, and fears to express any feeling without a certain degree of encouragement. So we first walked a little in the grounds, and looked at the improvements, and admired the prospects; and then we talked of the weather, which certainly one would have thought was quite a safe theme; however, it naturally led to a comparison of the climates of France and England, and then we dropped it with one accord as leading us dangerously near the subject of Adele's former life. Indeed, the one thought which must have been uppermost in each mind seemed to

start up at every turn of the conversation, like a ghost, to scare us into silence. Scarcely a word was said that my busy fancy did not interpret into some possible inuendo, or allusion to things forbidden. It really was wretched, and my relief was boundless when the first dressing-bell sounded, and the restrained and uncongenial party who had been so long keeping up the mockery of politeness, had leave to separate. As soon as my toilette was completed I went to Adele's room to offer my assistance to her, thinking that her one maid must be sufficiently employed in unpacking the wardrobe and attending to the children. I tapped at the door, and receiving no answer, opened it to ascertain if the lady had already descended. Adele was lying on the bed, her head thrown back, and her eyes closed. She was still in her morning dress, and I advanced in some alarm, inquiring if she was ill. At the first sound of my voice she started up, and her naturally pale cheeks were flushed with the deepest crimson as she hurriedly answered that she was a little tired with her journey, but quite well, and would dress immediately. In another moment she had recovered her calmness, and the manner in which she thanked me for my offered services, showed so clearly that she would rather be left alone, that I had nothing to do but to withdraw, which I did immediately, feeling that my intended kindness had been repulsed. Yet her manner was too gentle to give offence, and I could not divest myself of the idea that she was very unhappy. Even now I see her face before me, as it appeared when I entered the room unawares the expression was that of exhaustion and acute suffering. Why does she thus withdraw from my sympathy? Surely she must see that, among these cold hearts, mine, at least, is ready to open to her with affection, if she would only let it. But there is that about her which effectually checks every demonstration on my part, and the more I warm towards her, the more resolutely and effectually chilling does she become.

The evening was as comfortless as the morning. Conversation was chiefly kept up by the Colonel and his eldest daughter; I joined occasionally, rather because I felt the awkwardness of being silent than because I had anything to say. Janet was quiet and timid, and Adêle maintained the composure and reserve of her manner unaltered, scarcely lifting her eyes for a moment, and acquiescing in everything that was said, in as few words as possible, Sometimes I think she is excessively afraid of the Colonel, which is not wonderful considering their relative positions. Sometimes I think she is really and truly very dull, and has no opinion of her own about anything. Indeed, this latter supposition appears highly probable, from her total absence of interest in every subject that was discussed. Whether Anna spoke to her about the shortness of the days at this season of the year, or about the beauty and intelligence of little Everard, there was the same unmoved unbrightening countenance, and the same unmeaning and polite affirmative. She has none of the volubility said to be so characteristic of her countrywomen, and I do not think she could bring herself to utter more than ten words in succession. Yet this is not from any dif ficulty of expressing herself in English, which she speaks with perfect ease, though, as I before observed, with the accent of a foreigner. The Colonel is evidently observing her closely, and forming his estimate of her character. I wonder whether he finds, or fancies that he finds, the problem easier to solve than I do. After tea, music was proposed by way of varying the entertainment of the evening; Anna and Janet played some duets very nicely, and Adêle performed a Fantasia by Doehler with wonderful precision and brilliancy. The Colonel, who has some taste for music, kindled into ad niration, and pressed her to sing, which at first she very decidedly declined. When he reiterated the entreaty, however, appearing to imagine her refusal a piece of conventional young-ladyism, she hesitated, coloured, and finally moved to the piano, with the air of a victim,

struck a few chords, and began Beethoven's exquisite | "Kennst du das Land;" but her voice was hoarse and feeble, and scarcely carried her through the first page; when she attempted the accelerated time of the second, it failed her completely, she broke down in trying to reach the higher notes, and rose in some perturbation ere she had finished the verse, professing her total incapacity to continue. We were of course very civil in our regrets, but her want of power was so manifest, and her vexation at it so irrepressible, that the matter was immediately dropped.

Dec. 22nd. The same state of affairs continues. I do not think that a single member of our party is more intimate with Adêle now, than when she arrived on the 18th; yet I have done my utmost to penetrate her reserve, and so has Janet, in her own innocent manner. Every morning directly after breakfast Adêle retires to her apartment for two hours, "in order," she says, "to carry on the education of her little boy." Of this the Colonel highly approves, though, if the urchin, who is only three years old, were really pursuing his studies at the rate of two hours a day, I should considerit one of the most shocking evidences of the march of intellect that has ever come under my notice. I do not believe a word of it, however, and think it is only a pretext to obtain a short time of freedom during the day. At about twelve o'clock the lady appears, and stitches diligently at her worsted-work till luncheon; I have watched her, and I do not think she once lifts her eyes from the canvass. Such excessive industry is in itself a bar to conversation, and ours accordingly flags; five minutes being the average interval that elapses between the remarks that we respectively contrive to originate. After luncheon the carriage is ordered for a drive; Adèle and Anna invariably form two of the party, and I am sometimes a third, but more frequently the Colonel drives out with them, and I take a long country ramble with Janet, which I thoroughly enjoy. I pity Adèle for these drives; if she has any feeling beneath that frigid exterior, how intolerable must they be! And so passes the day; the evening being generally occupied by music or cards, for the Colonel has descended to vingt-un and speculation, now that we are too numerous for his rubber. And all the day through Adèle is quiet, cold, silent, and complying, as at first. The only symptom which she gives of having "that within that passeth show," is an occasional low, long sigh, so suppressed indeed, that you would not notice it unless you were close to her, but indescribably painful to hear, because it seems to come from an over-charged and worn-out heart.

Later on the same day.-The Colonel has done me the honour to impart to me his opinion of his daughter-inlaw. He thinks her a very sensible well-behaved young person, fully conscious of her own position, and very grateful for, what he is pleased to denominate, the kindness which she has received. He thinks, too, that she appears to possess a most docile and gentle disposition, and he added that he had no doubt that the purpose for which he had invited her here would be completely answered. I looked as I felt-curious; but he did not deign to enlighten me, and left me with a slight bow and a benignant smile. There is profound peace between the Colonel and me at present. I think, however, that we owe it rather to the deep interest which we have both been taking in our new inmate, and which has absorbed all minor feelings, than to any more congenial dispositions in ourselves. Whatever the cause be, the result is that the Colonel is himself again, and to-day at dinner he treated us to one of his best-turned periods on the subject of domestic life, illustrating his theory of perfection by a modest appeal to the practice of himself and his daughters. Warming with the theme as he went on,and thinking only of his daughters, he said; "I have always reflected that, in the intercourse between parents and children, the utmost possible independence should be allowed on the one hand, the utmost possible deference maintained on the other. I have endeavoured, to the extent ciny

ability, to carry out this principle, and I flatter myself, Miss Forde, (he was in full swing now,) that it would be difficult to find three persons more thoroughly happy in each other's affection than myself and my girls." Selfdeceived as he was, and strange as it seemed, that he should really be able to reconcile to his own practice a theory such as that which he had just enunciated, he was positively amiable at this moment. There was such genuine affection in the glance with which he regarded Anna and Janet, that one felt disposed to overlook the little strain of triumph in which he was indulging, and to forget that, in applying his principle, his mental vision was affected with an unconquerable squint, so that while he thought he was looking at the "utmost possible independence allowed by himself," he was in reality only seeing the "utmost possible deference," which no one could deny that he exacted from his daughters. But I had scarcely time to observe him, for my attention was riveted to Adêle's face of irrepressible wonder. When he commenced his allusions to domestic felicity, she had stooped a little more forward than usual, and appeared intensely interested in dissecting the chicken-wing which lay on her plate. As he proceeded, she lifted up her splendid dark eyes-I declare it is the only time I have fairly seen them since she entered the house--and literally stared at him, with an expression of enquiring amazement, as though she thought he were a singular sort of phenomenon which it was really worth while to investigate. Then she coloured violently, cast down her eyes again, struggled to resume her usual manner, but as he concluded, answered him, as if she could not help it, in a low and bitter voice, “you are very sarcastic."

The Colonel turned towards her in unfeigned surprise, but she stopped the inquiry which was on his lips, by saying hurriedly, “I beg your pardon for my bad English, I meant very successful.”

"Yes," replied he, with an air half puzzled, half uneasy, I believe I may flatter myself that I have had

There was an awkward kind of pause, during which the blush which had overspread Adele's features seemed rather to deepen than to diminish, and it was a relief to us all when Anna gave the signal for withdrawal. Adêle, as we passed through the hall, said something confusedly about having a bad headache, and ran up stairs to her own room, from which she did not emerge till we were assembled at tea. It had seemed to me that she ran away because she was unable to restrain her tears, and my opinion was now confirmed by the sight of her flushed cheeks and red eyes. I do not understand her, though it is plain that she feels a great deal more than she chooses to exhibit. If she would but let me comfort her!

Dec. 27th. It is long since I have opened my journal, for the events of the last few days have absorbed me so completely, that I have found neither time nor inclination for writing them down. I must now, however, attempt to narrate them in due order.

us,

During the first four days of Adele's sojourn amongst it was evident to all that little Everard was making rapid progress in his grandfather's affections. There are few hearts that can resist the fascinations of a child at that most charming of all ages, (just three years,) and the mixture of perfect unconsciousness with perfect confidence is as amusing as it is irresistible. Whether from previous instruction or from natural inclination, the little fellow took a decided fancy to his grandpapa, and used to climb the Colonel's knee and pull away his newspaper with an audacity which made his aunt Anna's hair stand on end, but which generally obtained a caress rather than a reproof. Adêle watched the progress of affairs quietly, but with manifest satisfaction; I too had begun to grow sanguine, though an idea which sometimes crossed my mind, that the Colonel intended to disinherit his son in favour of his grandson, prevented me from indulging hope with any degree of confidence. Thus did matters stand, when, on the fifth day, Colonel