claim in comparison with all other castles in England to all that is stated in this assertion.
Carlisle Castle stands at the north west side of the city, on the left bank of the Eden, and is a massive building in the form of an irregular triangle, of various architecture, but principally in the Anglo Norman style, as the ingenious visitor will discern from its internal arrangement and construction, the material of its composition being chiefly red sand stone.
The entrance to it is through two ancient double gateways or towers of immense strength, and connecting the outer and inner wards, before both of which gates there was formerly a portcullis.
The castle now consists of one principal tower, with the ancient keep, (which is still in a sound and staunch looking state,) and the remains of what is called Queen Mary's Tower, from its having been the place where that unfortunate lady was confined in 1568, and which appears from its ornamental exterior to have been appropriated before that time to the use of royal or other stately visitors of the castle.
This tower is on the left side of entrance from the inner gate, and the interior of it is attained by going through the officers' rooms, including a large mess room, etc., which are at its rear, and which occupy the basement of what was formerly the chapel of the castle. But only a fraction of it is now standing, as its insecurity, it is said, necessitated its removal some years ago—a necessity much to be regretted by every intelligent visitor of the castle. Inside this tower, and in a sort of place which seems to have been extemporized into an officers' kitchen, there are still
