MR. URBAN,

IT is pleasant to look back to the ages that are past; and to the times especially in which the fierce hardihood of our ancestors was in some degree tempered by the dawnings of refinement. Their habitual bravery continued to be unimpaired, but it was united with the graces of courtesy ; and this amelioration of manners led to the advancement of the arts of civilized life.

It shall be my endeavour at this time to follow up the historical account you gave in your last publication of " King Henry the Sixth at Bolton Hall," by offering you some details concerning that venerable place of residence, and the long line of persons who for many generations have so honourably possessed it.

The mansion is situated in the midst of a fine property in Ribblesdale, within the Deanery of Craven, and the West Riding of the county of York.

As it appeared in the earliest years of the present century, it presented, perhaps, little variation from the manner in which it had been altered or rebuilt, upwards of four hundred years before. It has always been understood to occupy the site of a much older edifice, to which the date has been assigned by tradition, so far back as the reign of King William, surnamed Rufus.

For some preceding ages, it appears probable that the possessors of the manor inhabited a different place. At the distance of half a mile or more from the hall, are still to be discerned traces of the moat which in former ages surrounded "The Peel of Bolton," one of the strong and castellated abodes, which in turbulent times had been necessary for the security of person and property. The farm which contains this spot has invariably to this day been called "The Peel."

It was the opinion of Bishop Pocock, in the last century, that Bolton Hall was one of the oldest gentlemen's houses in England. It may perhaps be justly considered one of the very oldest that have undergone no material change, as regards extension or diminution. In the memory of persons now living, who are far advanced

in years, it has uniformly, until the present century, presented much the same appearance. On approaching the house, it was seen to form three unequal sides of a square; the area being enclosed in front by a screenwall, with gates in the centre, and between two garden courts. The aspect of the front was towards the north-east; and the whole, which was of no very great extent, was in a plain, simple, and unassuming style. There was a projecting portion in the centre, in which was the principal porch entrance, and it was finished with a plain gable, of nearly the same height as the rest of the house. On the western side of the court was the apartment, called "King Henry's Room." It was occupied by Henry the Sixth, during the time of his being entertained with loyal and dutiful attachment by Sir Ralph Pudsey. The building on the eastern side contained the offices. The windows were of the broad square-headed fashion, divided by mullions of stone; and the principal ones were crowned with tablet dripstones, returned at their terminations, without heads or bosses. There is no reason to suppose that the mansion ever was embattled. It is barely probable, from its long standing, that it may have been so. Were this the case, (as in more than one instance is known to your correspondent,) every trace of its parapets must have been carefully removed.

Some alterations are understood to have been made in the course of so many generations, but none of them seem to have been of much importance. In the interior, the King's Chamber was newly paneled about the end of the 17th century, and thenceforth used as a sitting room. The good old banqueting hall, after still greater changes, yet retains its original dimensions. They are thirty-three feet and a half in length, and nineteen in breadth. The height, to the centre of the roof, is twenty-five feet and a half; and that of the side-walls, to the first beam, thirteen feet and a half. Until the year 1804, its unpolished though characteristic features had happily remained unaltered. Of these was the timber roof, as shewn in your

as

plate of its interior. At the lower or eastern end was the minstrel's gallery, composed of massive beams and planks, and finished with a bulky hand-rail, that has been well described putting to shame even "the principal timbers of many a modern house." Beneath this gallery was an entrance into some chambers. At the opposite end was the canopy, which for ages had overshadowed the high table; at which, in the days that have so recently been brought to our recollection, royalty under adverse circumstances must have sat down with many an embittered thought. This coved canopy much resembles those in the halls of the college of Manchester, and of the Carthusians (now the Charter House) in the metropolis. On the north side of the hall was the entrance porch, and on the same side a spacious fireplace and ingle, within which many a cheerful blaze has enlivened the entertainments of an ancient and hospitable race. Further

on, towards the gallery, was a flight of stairs, which communicated with it, and led from thence to the sleeping apartments. On the south side was a handsome pointed arched window, the tracery of which had apparently been constructed at the time of the transition from the Decorated to the Perpendicular style.

Eastward of what has been already described was the hall-kitchen, large and lofty, even to the roof, the place of vast preparations, which indicated that here was "hospitality without grudging;" and as in still older times, that even the wayfarers were courteously received, and at their departure were laden with such things as were necessary." This train of thought is amply encouraged, when it is on record that in front of the great beam, which formed its spacious chimney-breast, are said to have been inscribed in rudely carved letters, these memorable words;

"There ne'er was a Pudsey, that encreased his estate."

It is delightful, in all ages, to contemplate the well-doing of those who are actuated by the benevolent precept of inspiration, " It is more blessed to give, than to receive."

This description, imperfect as it is, may convey some idea of what Bolton

Hall was, when in the year 1804 it was sold, with the manor and estates belonging to it, to the late John Bolton, esquire, of Liverpool.

The mansion not having been inhabited by the family for several years, it probably required some repairs. Mr. Bolton conceived the plan of making considerable alterations. Designs were drawn for him by Gandy, and they were carried into effect by Webster of Kendal. The work was commenced in the year 1806, and in a year or two more his intentions appear to have been completed. The southern exterior of the mansion has been totally changed; and in its general aspect and details, it has been designed to represent the architecture of the fifteenth century. Under all the circumstances, the effect is perhaps as good as could be expected at the time. The revival of the English styles, at first under the auspices of Horace Walpole, and many years after as encouraged and promoted by King George the Third, continued for a length of time to languish, and to exhibit little more than awkward imitations. The principles of these styles were then very imperfectly known, and the most praiseworthy efforts too frequently ended in disappointment. In the interior, the hall has lost some of its fine old features; but happily others of them either partially or entirely remain. The roof presents the same appearance as before, with the exception of a portion of it having been pierced and glazed, for the admission of light. The window in the south side was taken away, in consequence of the building on its outside having been extended; and hence arose the necessity of obtaining light from above. The wide old chimney has been reduced to a very moderate size; and a similar one has been constructed on the opposite side of the hall, more towards the west. The stairs have been entirely removed; but the greatest alteration remains yet to be told. The very thought of it reminds one of the projected removal of the organ screen several years after at York, which it was said could never be accomplished with safety. The material to be removed at Bolton hall was not indeed stone; but it was oaktimber, which even if separated into