The most remarkable feature of Chester is its Cathedral, which was founded within the site of the Benedictine Abbey of St. Werburgh. It is a spacious irregular building, composed of the red sandstone of the country, and was built, or rather rebuilt, during the reigns of Henry the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth. In the cloisters, and buildings adjacent, occur some interesting specimens of Norman architecture, and the early decorations of the pointed style. The western front, and some other detached parts, exhibit equally beautiful specimens of the enriched Gothic, and the space occupied by the entire range of the conventual buildings furnishes a magnificent idea of the grandeur of the establishment.
The old Norman castle was removed in 1790, to make room for the modern castle, which is, indeed, a noble structure, and contains the county courts, the gaol, the barracks, and the armoury. The citizens of Chester were formerly as celebrated as those of Coventry for their dramatic performances, founded chiefly on scripture history. They are attributed to one Randall, a monk of Chester Abbey, and are said to have been first performed between 1268 and 1273.
My task is done, and I must now quit this lovely land—never perhaps to see it more. But let me hope the sketches I have given of its various charms will induce others to take the path which I have pursued with so much pleasure. It leads through the most interesting portion of the country. For the artist, there is an inexhaustible store of beauty. The geologist and mineralogist will find the lore they thirst for, in almost every hill and valley, through which they pass. The smoke-dried citizen may have the London blacks blown from his garments by the healthful mountain breeze, and drink huge draughts of the pure air until he feels intoxicated with pleasure, while he is enabled to supply himself cheaply with a valuable stock of delightful recollections that will enable him, at any time, to raise a visionary paradise around him—to banish painful thoughts; for, in fine, pain must give place to pleasure, gloom to sunshine, and sickness to invigorating health, in the enchanting principality of North Wales.
LIST OF FLIES, USED IN NORTH WALES.
February.
1. Red Fly.—Middle of February, until the middle of October. Fine days.
2. Dark Dun.—Middle of February, and continues through the Season. Fine days.
March.
3. Blue Dun.—Beginning of March to the end of April. Gloomy and wet days, from 10 to 3.
4. March Brown.—Middle of March, to the end of April. Dark gloomy days, from 11 to 2.