European gardens are of foreign extraction." He mentions the apple, the apricot, and the peach. He speaks also of the naturalisation of the vine, the flax, and the artificial grasses, and of the gradual introduction of them into the western countries of Europe, and the encouragement given to the natives of the provinces to improve them.
(190 yards.) At 6190 yards it enters the pasture called "the Gilalees Beacon,"[1] near an old quarry, and is traced in many of the drains as it passes up the side of the hill.
(500 yards.) At 6690 yards it approaches some ground-works, being its first introduction to what may be considered as classic ground. They are now almost level with the surrounding surface, but remarkably distinguished from it by the fresh green tint of the herbage. On the east side of the road are the foundations of a rectangular building 21 yards long, and 16 yards broad. It appears to have been protected on the east side by the "Ancient Ditch" which crosses the Maiden Way here, and by a slack or small ravine on the north and west sides. On the west side of the road there is a small enclosure with ramparts of earth and stone, which is divided into two parts. Here probably a body of Roman soldiers would be placed to supply a succession of sentinels to man the watch-towers in this district. It is rather remarkable that there seems to be a line of what may be called Mile Castles on the Maiden way, such as we find on the Roman wall, and this is the first which I have been able to trace distinctly, although others may have been passed, whose foundations from various causes may have entirely disappeared. The foot road across the wastes from Gilsland passes along the Maiden Way here.
The road has been traversing rising ground since it crossed the river King, and has now attained a considerable elevation. The surface of the country consequently begins to be more open, and the views to the south and west are more enlarged. The vales disclose their interesting beauties, and every object exhibits a lively and pleasing aspect. Even here, dreary and weather-worn as are these heathy uplands, some herbs of grace are found to breathe of loveliness,
- ↑ Gilalees may be derived from the Celtic, gill, water, which often denotes a brook in a narrow valley, or sometimes the valley itself, and leagh, a field, dale, or lee. This derivation accords well with the appearance of the country.
