Chapter III

Nooks of the World: Part II. -- Life in the Dales of Lancashire
and Yorkshire -- Wide Contrast between the Aspect and Condition of
the Agricultural and Manufacturing Districts -- Poverty and
Rudeness of some Parts of Lancashire -- Half-wild Children in the
Lancashire Hills -- Old Factory System -- Wild Country between
Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales -- General Character of the
Dales -- Primitive Simplicity of the People -- Formerly much
visited by George Fox -- a Friend’s Meeting -- Dent Dale --
Singular Appearance of the Bed of the River Dent -- Rural
Occupation and Vehicles -- Population of a Dale divided into
little Communities -- Customs at a Birth -- Knitting Parties --
Knitting Songs -- other Particulars of their Knitting Habits --
Instances of Eccentricities of Character -- Dislike of Factories
-- Every Person and House has its Name -- Singular Story of
Deception practised on a rich Widow -- Peculiar Customs of the
Dales -- their Hospitality 221

CHAPTER IV.

Old English Houses -- General Impression of them -- the strong
Historic Interest connected with them -- a delightful Record of
such Abodes might be written -- Feelings that arise in passing
through them -- their various Styles, Furniture, Pictures,
Tapestry, and Arms, Memorials of the Changes of National Power and
Manners -- Passages of most Tragical Interest indicated by many of
our Family Pictures -- Treasures of Ancient Art collected in our
Noble Houses -- Horace Walpole’s Wish, that all our Noble Mansions
were congregated in London -- beneficial Influence of the Country
Residence of the Aristocracy -- Feelings of Horace Walpole on
visiting his Father’s House at Houghton 249

CHAPTER V.

Hardwicke Hall -- the Author’s Visit to it on the present Duke’s
coming of Age -- Scenes which presented themselves -- a Second
Visit with a Party of Friends -- a Third Visit after the lapse of
Twenty Years -- Present Aspect of the Place -- Building Mania of
Bess of Hardwicke -- Remains of the Old Hall of Hardwicke -- Gog
and Magog -- Arabella Stewart, and Queen of Scots imprisoned there
-- Chapel -- Old Tapestry -- Family Gallery -- Good Taste by which
the House is kept in its Original State -- Statue of the Queen of
Scots -- Mrs. Jameson’s Account of Hardwicke -- the Duke there --
his Apartments -- Contrast of different Ages presented by such
Houses as Hardwicke, Haddon, and Chatsworth 257