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PONTEFRACT CASTLE.

ONTEFRACT is an ancient town in the West riding of Yorkshire. It was formerly called Kirby by the Saxons, but previously Pontefract or Pomfret by the Romans, which signifies a broken bridge. There is much about this little borough that makes it specially interesting to the antiquarian and historian. We may mention the New Hall, now usually called the Old Hall; the Druid's Well, which is descended by 92 steps cut out of the rock, and the Old Church; but the most important is the Castle. After the Norman Conquest many castles were erected in this country, and one of no mean order was built at Pontefract by Ilbert de Laci in the eleventh century. In many respects it agreed with the following: "A Norman fortress consisted of an enclosure, varying according to the importance of its position, from five to ten acres of land, and where circumstances rendered it possible, was surrounded by a moat or artificial canal, on the edge of which was a strong wall enclosing another, and between them was the first ballium or outer court. Within the second wall, which surrounded the keep, or great tower, were storehouses for the garrison, and other offices, as well as logdings for the troops. In the centre of the interior space stood the citadel, keep, or master tower, in which resided the governor, or feudal possessor; in his absence, the castelian inhabited it, exercising the same authority as his chief. This last edifice was

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generally erected on an artificial or natural mound, and contained the state apartments, together with the domestic offices; and in the centre, below the foundations, the dungeons for prisoners of war and other captives, such as felons, who had fallen under the jurisdiction of the lord or governor : in many instances there were secret means of access to these prisons by means of narrow passages contrived in the walls. In advance of the moat stood the barbican, or outward defence, with a watch-tower communicating with the interior by means of a drawbridge, which drew up inwardly, so as to be under the direction of the sentinel or guard. The entrance to the ballium or outward court, was still further secured by a strong gate, defended by a portcullis, to be raised or lowered as occasion required, by means of strong iron chains and pulleys. The walls were further protected by battlements, perforated by loopholes, through which arrows could be discharged, and towers planted at various distances. The outward walls were seldom less than seven feet in thickness, and those of the keep frequently as many as fifteen."

Several horrid deeds have been committed in this castle. Richard II. after being imprisoned for awhile was basely murdered. Here Rivers, Gray and Vaughan were hurried to the scaffold and beheaded. Within these walls Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was also executed in 1321. Concerning this act there have been many opinions, some not finding words strong enough to utter their calumnies upon the Earl, and others reckoning him a saint and a martyr. But the fortress stained with innocent blood was doomed to fall. The parliamentarians besieged it three times. During the first siege, after damaging part of the tower, they were defeated with considerable loss. They surrounded it a second time and in four months succeeded in causing the inmates to capitulate, being about to "perish with hunger." The third and last siege was superintended by the invincible Cromwell, who was a month before its walls without making an impression upon it, but general Lambert succeeded in securing a capitulation on the 25th of March, 1649, after the garrison had been reduced from 600 to 100 men, and had done all they possibly could. Thus fell the noble castle of Pontefract, of which now only a small portion remains to authenticate its sad and tragical history.

Shakespeare says:—

"The cloud capt Towers,

The gorgeous Palaces,

The solemn Temples,

The great Globe itself,

Yea all which it inherits shall dissolve,

And, like the baseless

Fabric of a Vision, leave not a wreck behind."

What was formerly included in the castle has been made into gardens, which yield much produce. Liquorice grows in abundance, and many are employed in manufacturing it into the celebrated "Pomfret cakes."

Several curious articles have been found in and around Pontefract. While two men were trenching land for liquorice they struck upon something hard, which turned out to be a stone coffin, containing a skeleton with the head between the legs. These were supposed to be the remains of the Earl of Lancaster, who suffered 500 years previously. Large quantities of splendid carved stones were dug up in 1841.

Not far from the castle there are two hills of notoriety, known as Monkhill and Baghill. The former was the site of St. John's Priory, founded by Robert de Laci in 1090. The latter is supposed to be where Cromwell fixed his cannon to batter the walls of the proud fortress. Since then other cannons have been fired from this eminence, for here the Primitive Methodists have held many camp-meetings-here the Venerable and Reverend William Clowes has preached" Christ and him crucified."

Though many improvements have been made in the town, there is nothing particular attractive about it. Its streets are clean and wide, and buildings good. There are several hospitals for the poor, and schools of a first class order. There are five chapels: two Wesleyan; one Congregationalist; one Primitive Methodist; and one Roman Catholic; also two churches. As we study with peculiar emotions the history of our forefathers, let us be grateful that our lines have fallen to us in such pleasant places, remembering that "Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

Pontefract, April 12th, 1871.

HENRY GEORGE HIRD.

GATHERINGS FROM MEMORY.-NO. XV.

A WILD GOOSE CHASE.

I Now proceed to relate my recollections of a more advanced period of my life. On the completion of my apprenticeship—a time of servitude which, despite the many trials and provocations I experienced, I, by God's help, managed to pass through to my master's satisfaction, as a testimonial on the back of my indentures proves-I was offered and accepted a journeyman's place. My chief dislike to the office arose from my master's son, who had been recently introduced into it, and who acted in so arbitrary a way as to make all around him dissatisfied and unhappy. Quiet and of easy temper myself, I hated the thought of being badgered and insulted by one who loved to show his authority, so that while I agreed to remain, it was not with a cheerful heart. I name this as it may serve to soften down feelings of anger which the unwise conduct I am about to relate is sufficient to excite. Our newspaper was published on a Tuesday; hence Monday was always a busy day. On Sunday, May 11, 1839, I was appointed to preach at two places in our circuit, and as I went to bed very tired, I overslept myself next morning; so I was half-an-hour too late. Now, had the rules of the establishment reduced my wages for this loss of time, I could have cheerfully enough gone to my work, though late; but expecting biting sarcasm and reflection upon my religion from the young man in question, I felt the task of facing him too great for me. So when I got to the foot of the office stairs, I paused, and began to reflect and to argue. The longer I stood my indisposition to face the trial increased; at last I gave way altogether, and, quitting the premises, I ran out of the town, where I remained, striking out a course of action, till the breakfast hour. Going home, as if all was right, I slipped upstairs, and made a hasty packing up of my clothes; and,

after getting my breakfast, I stole off with my bundle, and, unsuspected, was soon on the road to Carlisle.

I will not take up your time in relating my adventures while on the journey outwards. Suffice it to say that in two or three days I found myself in the busy town of Newcastle. I began the journey with very little money in my purse-something less than a sovereign; and not knowing the art of husbanding my resources, when I reached the above place, I had not more than two or three shillings in my possession. A stranger and unknown, timid and shy, and unacquainted with the ways of the world, I knew not where to go or how to act. Night had set in, so a place of shelter I must have. Stepping into a crowded and noisy room, where a political meeting was being held, I ventured to ask a man who was about to leave, where I could procure lodgings. He named a house, where he told me I might depend upon being at home. This turned out to be a public-house, and, being a Teetotaler, I felt backward in going in. However, putting on a face, I entered and arranged for a bed. Subsequently, asking the landlady for a little milk with an egg broke therein, I saw she did not overwell like her customer. However, I soon retired to rest, where, being alone, I felt right. Next morning I applied at one or two offices for work, but got none; so after taking a look at our Nelson-street Chapel, I set off for North Shields. Not having had courage to ask my fellow-tradesmen for relief, my funds were near exhausted, so I felt very depressed when I had got three miles on the road; and this depression was not much lessened, I assure you, when, on casting my eyes upon a milestone which just came in sight, I saw from the inscription thereon that I was on the road to Edinburgh instead of North Shields. I stood still to think; but I could think of nothing so wise as that of retracing my steps. I did so, resolving to put up at the same house where I had slept the night before. On reaching the house my reception was not as I wished; in fact, I was as good as refused accommodation, the landlady saying-" you took your things away in order to get other lodgings, and because you cannot get them you are here again; I do not think I will let you remain." Instead of stating my sad case, I turned upon my heel and left the house. It was now getting dark, and as I had not the price of a bed in my pocket, I made up my mind to pass the night in the open air. I felt a little forlorn and wretched, you may be sure; and the sight of people passing to their homes did not help to comfort me. As I crossed to the Gateshead side of the Tyne, where I thought it possible to secure a snug retreat, my folly in making such a mad adventure began to make a breach in my mind. Having three-halfpence in my pocket, with a penny I bought a cake, which had to serve for the second or third similar meal I had that day. A short walk brought me to the outskirts of the town; where the sight of a large hay-stack imparted a degree of pleasure. As I looked at it through the gate which led to it, I said-" This shall be my resting-place for the night;" so as soon as the walkers became scarce, I got into the field and sat down on the shaded side of the hay. My bundle served for a seat, and when I laid down on the grass, I made it my pillow. As the hay was well-built into the stack, I was unable to pull what would serve for a bed; so I very soon became cold, and sleep refused to visit me. Alternately lying, sitting, and standing, humming a tune to soothe and cheer me, I began to think it would be better to walk about than to lie there. The church (clock chimed the hour of midnight as I re-crossed

the bridge o'er the coaly Tyne, and I felt how slowly time goes when we are alone and unsettled, and with the fetters taken from its feet. As I passed to and fro in my wanderings, I saw a covered cart opposite a public-house, when the idea that I might find therein a resting-place crossed my mind. No one was about; and conscious of my innocence, I got on the shafts and crept into the cart. The only contents were a barrel or two, and a large heap of straw; but as my business was to rest, not to examine, I gathered up all the straw and laid my little body therein and tried to sleep.

Congratulating myself on my good fortune, and feeling really comfortable in my new quarters, a drowsy sensation began to steal over me, and I think I slept. Once I imagined I heard a breathing, and felt a pair of eyes staring into my apartment; but the sensation passed away, and I dosed on. After an interval (I was unconscious of time) the same unpleasant feeling oppressed me: again I heard the breathing and felt the gaze; this time, however, accompanied by the solid end of a stick poking among the straw, and a voice calling out"who's there ?" Thus suddenly awoke, but not afraid, I replied "It's me!" "Then me must shift out of that," proceeded from the same visitor, "and come along with me." Rising into a sitting-posture, I saw by the light of the gas-lamp, and by the reflection of a bulls-eye lantern introduced into my canvas enclosed bedroom, a man wearing a shining hat and bright polished buttons on his coat. My disturber was what in certain quarters is termed "A Bobby," and he refused to hear my request, to be allowed to remain where I was. "Perhaps he is sorry for me, and is going to take me to proper lodgings" were my surmisings, as I got out and went quietly along with him; and when he introduced me into a large unfurnished apartment, with only a form and desk, on which lay a large open book, but with a blazing fire in the grate, I felt really grateful to him. Laying my bundle on the bench besides me, I took my position near the fire. The enjoyment of the moment overcame any feeling of wrath that might have arisen towards the man when he had, as I thought, the impudence to open my bundle and examine its contents. My conductor was no doubt pleading my cause with the men at the desk, as he had a long conversation with them. This ended he turned to me and said:-"Now young man, you must be off, and take care you are not found sleeping any more in carts or such-like suspicious places." I cannot tell you how disappointed I felt at this announcement, I innocently replied-"Why cannot I stop here ?" I really had no idea that I was in a Police court; so when he said that no one remained there "unless" (and he pointed to a strong door in the corner) "they are locked up there," I preferred doing what they bid me. I then told them where I came from, and my object in being in Newcastle, and how I came to be without shelter; when they advised me to keep walking about until day arrived. I left, thankful I had not been shut up. Well, when I left the police-court the day was dawning; and, tired and faint, I wandered about until six o'clock, when I sat down on a post by the side of the river. The officer who had disturbed my slumbers in the cart, a nice sort of man from Workington, passed me while so seated, and observing that I should find things much different in Newcastle from what they were in my own town, he advised me to return home, adding that I had run a great risk of being brought before the magistrates. Puzzled what to do, I rose and walked down the bank of the river, when a fine bridge caught my attention. This I deter