“Out of the castle were three passages—­one a postern, with an iron gate, on the east side over a private bridge into the park, where there were arbours, pleasant walks, and trees planted for profit and delight.  Another passage was on the west side, leading to a dungeon, and forth on to the mere, now filled up with mire and weeds.  But the largest passage and most used was, and is, that towards the south and town; there being formerly a portcullis over that gate, which was made in one of the strongest towers, and a drawbridge without, defended by an half-moon of stone, about a man’s height, standing in the year 1657.”

These splendid buildings within the walls have long since been demolished, so that scarcely a vestige remains; but with their materials a workhouse has been built for the poor.  The only armorial bearings traceable are three shields over the castle-gate.

Over the centre of the gate is a large one; the arms and quarterings of John Howard IV., first Duke of Norfolk, who died in 1485; and with lions for supporters.  Crest—­a lion passant-guardant.

    1.  A bend between six cross crosslets, for ...  Howard.

    2.  Three lions passant-guardant in pale—­England, for ... 
       Brotherten.

    3.  Checky ...  Warren.

    4.  A lion rampant ...  Mowbray.

    5.  A lion rampant crowned ...  Seagrave.

    6.  Seme de cross crosslets fitchy, and a lion rampant, double
       queue ...  Broes, or Bruce.

    All within the garter.

    On the west side, a shield, quarterly—­1.  Howard—­2. 
    Brotherton—­3.  Mowbray—­4.  Seagrave.

    On the east side, quarterly—­1.  Brotherton—­2.  Warren—­3. 
    Seagrave—­4.  Broes.

This venerable and majestic remain of antiquity, when viewed at a distance, has certainly more the appearance of a castle than the ruins of one, the outward walls being almost entire, and presenting nearly the same appearance they did thirty years ago.

Framlingham Church is a fine structure, and was built by the Mowbrays; and the Chancel by the Howards, wherein are several stately monuments of this noble family.

Edward DUNTHORN.

The original of the annexed Cut is a lithograph frontispiece to Framlingham:  a Narrative of the Castle—­a poem of very considerable merit, by Mr. James Bird, of Yoxford:  the introduction to which furnishes the following impassioned apostrophe to Framlingham and its decaying Castle:—­

    Heir of Antiquity!—­fair castled Town,
  Rare spot of beauty, grandeur, and renown,
  Seat of East-Anglian kings!—­proud child of fame,
  Hallowed by time, illustrious Framlinghame! 
  I touch my lyre delighted, thus to bring
  To thee my heart’s full homage while I sing! 
  And thou, old Castle!—­thy bold turrets high,
  Have shed their deep enchantment on mine