an almost idyllic
aspect, its timeworn roofs of purple thatch and mellowed tiles nestling
among the masses of tall trees that grow with much luxuriance in this
sheltered spot at the foot of the hills. The village is musical with the
pleasant sound of the waters of the beck that flows from Dalby Warren, and
ripples along the margins of the roadways, necessitating a special
footbridge for many of the cottages. The ancient stocks that stood by the
crossroads have unfortunately disappeared, and in their place may be seen
the pathetic sight of a new pair that are not even a close copy of the old
ones. The old stone cross that stands by the stocks has not been replaced
by a modern one, and adds greatly to the interest of the central portion
of the village. On the road that leads towards Ellerburne there stand some
old cottages generally known as the Poorhouse. They are built on sloping
ground, and on the lower side there is a small round-topped tunnel leading
into a little cell dug out of the ground beneath the cottages. This little
village prison was known as the "Black Hole," and was in frequent use
about fifty years ago. An old resident in the village named Birdsall, who
is now in the Almshouses, remembers that the last woman who was placed in
the Black Hole was released by four men who forcibly broke their way in.
The quaint little church of Ellerburne and the few antique cottages that
make up the hamlet lie about a mile from Thornton up the steep valley to
the north. The hills on either side are crowned with plantations, but
farther up the dale appear the bare slopes of the edge of the moors.
Allerston lies at right angles to the main road. It is full of quaint
stone cottages, and is ornamented by the square tower of the church and
the cheerful brook that flows along the road side. The church at Ebberston
stands aloof from the village at the edge of the small park belonging to
the Hall. The situation is a very pleasant one, and the building attracts
one's attention on account of the wide blocked-up arch that is conspicuous
in the south wall west of the porch.

The next village westwards is Snainton, a more compact and town-like
hamlet than most of the others in the district. The church having been
rebuilt in about 1835, the place is robbed of one of its chief
attractions.

Brompton has already been mentioned in connection with Wordsworth's
wedding. The view over the bright green pastures of the Vale when seen
from the c