nected with Derby is that of the late Dr. DARWIN, as well known for the variety and originality of his literary productions, as for the success which so generally attended his medical efforts. In phy sic and philosophy some of his theories were bold and original; and the harmony and flow of his versification approaches nearer to that of Pope than perhaps any other writer: if any thing, he was too fond of glittering epithets.

LETTER XII,

DEAR MADAM,

Birmingham, August 27, 1803.

BURTON-ON-TRENT, you need not be informed, is the next stage from Derby in the road to this place, It consists principally of one long street-most of the houses are built of brick, and have, in general, but a dirty appearance. It was formerly distinguished for its abbey, near the remains of which the church now stands-this is large and hands some, with rows of trees in the church-yard-and near it is a neat market-house, and assembly-room over it, erected by Lord Paget in 1772. Here is a fine free-stone bridge over the Trent; it is above a quarter of a mile long, and has thirty-seven

arches. The river here divides itself into three branches. The abbots of Burton were mitred, and sat in Parliament; and from time immemorial the town has been celebrated for its ale.

About three miles north-west of Burton is Tutbury, chiefly noticed for its castle, which was one of the places rendered interesting in our history for the confinement of Mary Queen of Scots. I shall make an extract relative to it from Shaw's Antiquities of Staffordshire," because it tends to shew with what respect, for the greater part of her imprisonment, this unfortunate Princess was treated. Tutbury at that time belonged to the Earl of Shrewsbury, of whom I have already said so much.

"State of the castle at the time Mary Queen of Scots was confined there; taken from her keeper Sir Ralph Sadler's papers in 1584.

"The whole area, containing about three acres, was encompassed on all sides but one with a strong and lofty embattled wall, and deep foss, as the present ruins plainly shew. The principal entrance was by a bridge under the great gateway to the North, part of which is still remaining. At a small distance to the left of this gateway or lodge, stood a building containing Mr. Dorel's office and bed-chamber, and four other rooms.

"Along this north-east wall, about 160 feet from the entrance, was a lofty tower embattled, containing four rooms, viz. store-house at the bottom,

FF

above that Curl's apartment, over which was the doctor's, and at the top the chief cook's. This tower is then said to be much shaken and cleft, and now very little of it remains.

"From this, at a little distance, began the principal suite of the Queen's apartments, extending along the east side: viz. the Queen's diningchamber, her closet, and bed-chamber, cabinet, place for wood and coal, and then her women's room. These were all above stairs; and underneath were lodgings for her attendants, &c. viz. Mr. Melvil, Nau, (Nau and Curl, you may recollect, were her two secretaries,) the surgeon and apothecary, wardrobe chamber, Queen's pantry, buttery, &c.

"On the south side were other large apartments. The hall and great chamber were one room, and at Mary's last being at Tutbury were divided by a wainscot partition, which yet continueth.

"At the south-west corner was the keep, called Julius' tower, but then destroyed. On this mound an artificial tower has been of late years erected. "The following accounts are curious:

xx° Januarii, xi° Elizabethe Regine. Warderobe stuff sent to Tutbury castell, by Rafe Rowlandson, groom ofthe removing warderobe of balls, for service of the Scottish Queen. From the Tower.

"Six peeces of tapistry hangings, of the history of the passion, lyned withe canvas.

"It. vi peeces of tapistry hangings, of the story of ladyes, lyned with canvas.

"It. vii peeces of hangings of tapistry, of the story of Hercules, lyned.

"It. fowre great carpets of Turky making. "It. fowre beds, and bolsters of tyke, filled with fethers.

"It. fowre counterpoints of verdure, lyned with

canvas..

"It. fowre pair of fustians.

"It. three chaires of crimsin clothe of gold. "It. eight cusshins of clothe of gold.

"It. towe stooles, the seats embroiderid with clothe of gold upon crymsin sattin.

"It. three foote stooles, covered with tissue. "It. twoe bare hydes of oxe leather, to cover

carts.

"It. one standard.

From the Removing Wurderobe.

"It. twelve small carpets of Turky making. "It. one fynare stoole, covered with tissue.

From the Great Warderobe.

"It. two payre of sheets of fyne Holland clothe.

"It. two payre of pillow beeyes of assay, of lyke Holland.

"It. eight payre of pallet sheetes, of coarse Holland.

"It. two cart canvasses, of vii bredthes of

canvas.

"It. 2000 hookes, one thousand crockets, two hammers, one bolt of cords to trusse beds.

"It. two clothe sacks.

"It. one case of leather for a bedstedde.

"James I. in one of the memorable tours he made through England, honoured Tutbury with a visit.

"A few years previous to the troubles in his reign, Charles I. spent a fortnight in this castle.

"In the civil wars it held out a long time for the King, but was at length forced to surrender to Colonel Brereton; and at the close of the war was demolished by order of the Parliament. Near the artificial tower which I mentioned before, is at present a building, with a large room, of later date than the castle, inhabited by a family. Here the steward entertains the tenants occasionally; and at wakes, &c. it is used for as semblies. The green or park round the castlehill is now used as a pasture. This eminence commands a very extensive prospect, of which the most picturesque and interesting part is the adjacent forest of Needwood."

Our ride from Burton to Litchfield was pleasant and expeditious-for some miles before we reached the latter place we discovered the lofty spires of its cathedral. The country is open and flat-the concluding scenes of a plentiful harvest frequently caught our attention.