126 THE ilAlDEX WAY,

therefore, would occupy about six acres of ground. The outer wall of the Station appears to have been of considei- able thickness, but it is now in ruins, and covered with turf. In some |»laces it is nearly level with the ground, but it still shows distinctly the site of the wall. It appears to have been protected by an outer rampart and a fosse on the East, South-east, and South-west sides. The South side would be defended by the steep bank of the river Kirkbeck. On the North side of the station there are some traces of ramparts at a small distance from it, which appear to have been a proccstriiim or advanced post of defence. The South-east side has declined a little from its original elevation, the river having made encroachments here at different times, and washed away the bottom of the bank, which is a sort of quicksand. There is a spring of excellent water on this side. On the Western side the pistriua has been placed at the distance of sixty yards. Within the Southern side, and nearly upon the Southern wall, the New Rectory House and garden are placed, and on the North side of these are the church and churchyard. Within the Northern side, and on the Northern station wall, a large, rude, and irregularly built border castle (about eighty-seven feet square) has been erected, partly, at least, constructed of stones of the station, and it has been surrounded by a deep and wide ditch. There is no date known of the erection of this castle, but the cement shows it to have been of ancient construction. The entrance has been on the West side, and has been considered by some to have been added at a later period. AVithin the Northern side are also the ][anor House, farm-buildings, and garden. The remainder of the Station is an excellent pasture. It shows several traces of foundations of buildings, proving it to have been a place of considerable inqiortance. Almost every grave that is made cuts through foundation walls. There are also several traces of pavements. On the top of the hill, to the North-west, are some groundworks, which are said to have been a hall occupied by one of the younger IuvdicIms of (lie r;iiiiily sctlU'd at Jicwcastle, — hence the jilacti is callcil the I lallliills. Tliey appear to have been connected with the Station by a )'o;id, wliicli has been I'aised above tbe adjoining ground. I^'ioni a stratum ol" ashes which is often ibund in tlu; graves, about three vci l)elow the Kurfa(!e, we may infer that tiie plac(! had been destroyed