Regent.* Pushing back the ample folds of the fine tapestry, we passed through a door, concealed behind it, into a series of gloomy apartments, which are decidedly the most ancient parts of Haddon. The small windows, scarcely admitting a sufficiency of light even in the noonday sun, strikingly illustrate the stern and savage character of the age in which they were constructed.-These rooms are hung with ancient arras; the subjects Scriptural, representing the history of Moses, &c.-in one part is represented his being found by Pharaoh's daughter in the ark of bulrushes.-On passing these rooms (three in number) we came to a short passage in the Eagle Tower.-A strong old frame close by the doorway was used to string their bows.-This led to the circular staircase; on two sides of which we found a succession of ill-constructed rooms with plaster or limestone floors, conveying little idea of comfort; but strangely suitable to the times,-and the rude occupants who reared this old tower; which bears the most indubitable marks of Norman, if not of Saxon origin. We now made our way, not without difficulty, up the winding staircase to the top of the Eagle Tower, and in a few minutes, emerging through a door in the Watch Tower situated on the north west angle, we found ourselves on the leads of this ancient structure.When we first entered Haddon, the sun was fast declining in the west, but a few of his last lingering rays still played through the antiquated lattice, casting a brilliant light on some of its fine relicts,-while others were deeply shaded; but before we had completed our route he had set, and the broad shadows of eve began to envelope the chief part in gloom.-This was particularly the case, and most impressive, on passing through the last dark suite of rooms in the oldest part of Haddon, which carried the mind irrisistibly back to days of * The subjects on the tapestry are taken from Æsop's fables. The Author is exceedingly sorry to see this fine bed is obliged to be protected by a rail, from the curious pilfering habits of his Countrymen!— When shall we know better than to mutilate such a fine relict of antiquity by a silly" penchante" for the marvellous, old, when men of hardy and fearless manners; fond of war and savage sports, lorded it over a world,—their minds locked up by a ruthless superstition-the chief object of which was wealth, in order to gratify the pride and passion of our selfish nature, and its only bond of union self interest.-A train of such thoughts crossing the mind in rapid succession, makes the blood run chill in traversing the dark chambers of Haddon. It seemed, as we stood on this elevated point, as if we had just escaped from the dungeon of some mighty fortress.* This last part afforded us a powerful illustrative specimen of the state of society in the times in which it originated. We felt relieved, invigorated, and delighted in our lofty position, which commanded a magnificent prospect full of interest and beauty, and teaming with life.—The time being evening, and a glowing summer's sky cast its soft and mellowed tints over every object in nature. The season, that of haymaking, and the vale animated by numerous groups of busy rustics, tossing the fragrant hay to the wind, a gentle zephyr had sprung up, since the decline of day and now played with refreshing sweetness over the battlements of Haddon, --Flocks of sheep and groups of cattle were feeding with luxuriant enjoyment, or reposing in peace in the rich pastures, stretching right and left, as far as the eye could reach, the vale beautifully wooded, and watered by the tortuous but lovely Wye, bounded on one side by the limestone hills which, rising gently and extending far to the west and north, seemed to fill an almost boundless horizon. The bold ridge on which Haddon stood, covered with thick woods, formed its eastern boundary,—and to the north might be seen Longstone Edge, the great Finn and the lofty eminences near to Buxton,-to the south appeared the beautiful wooded knolls of Stanton and * We cannot be surprised on passing through this house that Mrs. Radcliffe (as already noticed) should have obtained her most powerful impression here. Its corridors, fretted cornices, tattered arras, low dark looking rooms and passages, thick walls and great extent, are highly calculated to inspire such scenes as she has depicted in her work. A strange work it is; but life is still more strange; no human pen can depict it. Darley. To enjoy such a splendid prospect to its utmost verge, we ascended the rude steps of the Watch Tower. The two dear friends who accompanied me, and who had never visited this part of the Peak till now, were so affected with the richness, extent, and glory of the scene that they remained for a time perfectly silent; wrapped up in the enjoyment of those delicious emotions which are the result of surprise, delight, and wonder, and which were enhanced in a tenfold degree by the immediate transition from Haddon's deserted, but venerable halls, to a scene of such interest, animation, and surpassing beauty. Their delight ministered additional pleasure to my own mind, as I beheld the fair pastures, and this ancient palace of the "King of the Peak !!" But what a contrast! there was Haddon, venerable for years, with its vast extent and multitude of turrets and embattled towers beneath the eye, once the favoured seat of genuine hospitality, and the scene of many a festive day, now silent and forlorn, sitting in its desertion and widowhood, while all around is full of life and apparent happiness. In order to give full effect, and entire development to this train of thought,--the author cannot do better than introduce to the notice of the reader the following beautiful and touching lines, which appeared in the Bijou for 1828: 'Haddon, within thy silent halls, A silent charm breathes all around, No sword-girt vassals gather there, Of princely Vernon's bannered ball? Prostrate and fallen the warrior lies, Their brightness never shall resume; Arise! ye mighty dead, arise! Can Vernon, Rutland, Stanley sleep? Whose gallant hearts and eagle eyes Disdained alike to crouch or weep? Say, do the Vernon's daughters bow? The tilt and tourney's brave array, No dame, with swan-like mien glides by, But gentler, holier, more subdued, With great reluctance we withdrew from this lovely and all-absorbing picture; but time pressed,-Matlock was to be reached before night fully set in, and the gardens yet to see, therefore we speedily retraced our steps down the staircase, and through the three gloomy rooms, and were issued out by a pair of clumsy folding doors, in the Ante-room, to the upper Terrace. Out of these doors, it is said, the beautiful Dorothy Vernon eloped with Sir John Manners, on one of Haddon's bridal and festive nights, when the ball-room was crowded with gay and joyous guests, listening to the sweet strains of music, or tripping it in the mazy and exhilirating dance. After We entered by a flight of broken moss-covered steps* Dorothy Vernon's Walk, which is above the upper Terrace, and bounded with splendid lime trees. exploring this once fine walk, we again descended the steps to the Terrace, traced out its old parterres amongst ancient yews, their branches reaching nearly to the ground. This Terrace is elevated considerably above the principal garden, and defended by a strong balustrade, in the centre of which there are a flight of stone steps, also defended with balustrades, leading down into the garden. From the top of these steps the late Duchess of Rutland sketched the whole south side of Haddon, her favorite view, we retraced our pathway through a dark passage into the Great Hall, and made our exit as we had entered, by the small door of the principal entrance-gate.-The under step of which is worn down almost 6 inches by the tread of the foot for so many centuries. We shall now rapidly and very briefly glance over its history. Haddon is set down in Doomsday-book as a berewick in the Manor of Bakewell, which Manor was given by William the Conqueror to his natural son, William Peverell. Probably Haddon existed as one of the strong Care should be taken in ascending these steps lest the foot should slip, especially if wet. This caution is equally needful in other parts of Haddon. Castles of the Barons prior to the Conquest, but if any part of this may not be dated farther back than that era, there cannot be a doubt but that a part of it was reared and became one of the strongholds of the Peverills by gift of the Crown about this time. It remained only about two generations in this family, having been granted by one of them to a retainer, named Avenell, on the tenure of knights service.* It continued in the possession of the Avenells till the reign of Richard I., when their co-heiresses married Vernon and Basset. It appears to have been the joint property of these two families for a considerable time, as stated by Mr. Lysons in his Magna Britannica, who observes "that the Bassets possessed the moiety of Nether Haddon, in the reign of Edward III., but in or before the reign of Henry VI. the whole became vested in the Vernons."As it is not our intention to give an account† of each of the Lords of Haddon, which is a matter of little interest to the general reader, we shall simply observe that it remained for upwards of three centuries and a half in the possession of the Vernons. The last of the male branches of this noble race was Sir George Vernon, whose princely style of living has been already noticed. On his death, in the seventh year of Queen Elizabeth, his possessions, which amounted to thirty Manors, descended to his two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy: the former was married to Sir Thomas Stanley, Knight, second son of the Earl of Derby, and the latter to Sir John Manners, Knight, second son of Thomas, first Earl of Rutland of that name. The property of the Vernons being divided between the two daughters-the Derbyshire estates, including the manor of Haddon, falling to the lot of Dorothy, became, by marriage, the property of the Manners, and have regu. larly descended to the present Duke of Rutland.Haddon continued to be the chief residence of Sir John * Rayner's Illustrations of Haddon, 1st part, page 18. + See this excellent work just quoted for particulars, where this subject has been treated at some length. M |