As for
Newcastle, it lies mostly in a bottom, on the banks of the Tyne,
and makes an appearance still more disagreeable than that of
Durham; but it is rendered populous and rich by industry and
commerce; and the country lying on both sides the river, above
the town, yields a delightful prospect of agriculture and
plantation. Morpeth and Alnwick are neat, pretty towns, and this
last is famous for the castle which has belonged so many ages to
the noble house of Piercy, earls of Northumberland. -- It is,
doubtless, a large edifice, containing a great number of
apartments, and stands in a commanding situation; but the
strength of it seems to have consisted not so much in its site,
or the manner in which it is fortified, as in the valour of its
defendants.
Our adventures since we left Scarborough, are scarce worth
reciting; and yet I must make you acquainted with my sister
Tabby's progress in husband-hunting, after her disappointments at
Bath and London. She had actually begun to practise upon a
certain adventurer, who was in fact a highwayman by profession;
but he had been used to snares much more dangerous than any she
could lay, and escaped accordingly.
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