view of the castle—perhaps the best view—its wooded environs which are here seen with it, adding their regal robing to its noble proportions, and enlarging to a graver, greater grandeur, its massive outline.
Later, we crossed the river, on the Wetheral side of which are the ruins of Wetheral Priory, founded for Monks of the Benedictine Order by the Earl Ranulph de Meschines, about the year 1086. A magnificent view of the Corby side of the river may be had from one of the top windows of this building, or from the caves, which are immediately below, on the same side. These are excavations in the solid mass of rock which rises almost perpendicularly on this side of the river. St. Constantine's cell is the most notable one. A Prince of this name, the son of some ancient Scottish king, is said to have resigned his regal inheritance and here retired from the world for the remainder of his life; and opposite them, on the Corby side, those interested will find a representation of him in the habit of a monk, a cross and missal in his hands, and the earthly crown at his feet—all hieroglyphical of his life and deeds. The rocks on this side the river are very romantic and beautiful for a considerable distance, the abrupt heights being charmingly interspersed with wood.
It is said that these caves were for many centuries the shelter of the ancient inhabitants of Carlisle when their city was attacked by the Scots, or by their still fiercer and more remorseless enemies the mosstroopers, of whom they were in constant dread; and the place must certainly have been a good one in those perilous times.
