“Defac’d by time, and tott’ring in decay!”

Nothing can be more picturesque than the first view of this venerable scene:  the most luxuriant ivy everywhere mantles the grey walls and mouldering battlements, interspersed with the waving branches of wild vegetation:  and the surrounding terraces are adorned with the opposing tints of pines and every variety of deciduous trees.

Being admitted through the curious old oaken wicket to the inner court, the attendant cicerone will lead the visitor to several objects in due succession:  the most remarkable are ...

The place in which the unfortunate king Charles I was confined (1647), and his children imprisoned after his death:  but the apartments are so dilapidated that it is next to impossible to decide upon their arrangement:  the window however is shown through which he vainly attempted an escape:  this is generally examined with a greater share of interest than perhaps any other part of the castle, and is often obliged to contribute as a relic, some minute portion of its crumbling walls.

THE KEEP is certainly the most ancient part of the fortress, having been built either prior to, or early in the time of the Saxons:  and was rendered an appendage to the more ample fortifications constructed by the Normans.  It is reached by a flight of 72 stone steps (nine inches each); was guarded by a portcullis-gate; and provided with a well 310 feet deep, since partially filled by the falling ruins.

At the S.E. angle are the remains of another very ancient tower called MONTJOY’S:  the walls in some places are eighteen feet thick.

The WELL-HOUSE is to many persons the most attractive object within the walls of the castle,—­for should the solemn ruins fail to impress that sentiment of reflection which proves to others the very zest of their visit, they will at least be not a little amused by the apt performance of a docile ass, whose task it is to draw up water from a well 300 feet deep!  This office he performs by treading rapidly inside of an immense windlass-wheel (15-1/2 feet in diameter,) whereby he gives it the necessary rotatory motion.  The natural longevity of these patient laborers is here exemplified by the instances on record; one done the duty for above 50 years, another 40, and another nearly 30.  To afford some idea of the depth of the well, a lighted candle is lowered:  and water is thrown down from a bucket, which produces quite a startling noise,—­it will be three or four seconds in falling.  For the same purpose, pins were formerly employed, but these were strictly forbidden, on account of their deleterious tendency on the water.

The Chapel, the Governor’s apartments, the Barracks, Powder Magazine, &c. are also pointed out; but to go over the whole works of this venerable monument of antiquity, and give a minute detail of the several parts usually shown to strangers, would be tedious to the reader, though doubtless every spot and fragment must be viewed by the visitor with a lively interest.