Note 7 — EXCURSION I.

Leland describes Restormel Castle as “sore defaced” in his time, “the fair large dungeon” says he, “yet stondith, a chapel cast out of it, a newer work than it, and now unrofid.”—Carew says “certes it may move compassion, that a palace so healthful for aire, so delightful for prospect, so necessary for commodities, so fayre for building, and so strong for defence, should in time of secure peace, and under the protection of his natural princes, be wronged with those spoylings, then which it could endure no greater at the hands of any forayne and deadly enemy, &c.”—Norden also says, “The whole Castle beginneth to mourne, and to wringe out hard stones for teares; that she that was imbraced, visited, and delighted with great princes, is now desolate, forsaken, and forlorne: the Cannon needs not batter, nor the pioneer to undermine, nor powder to blow up this so famous a pyle; for time and tirrannie hath wrought her desolation, her water pipes of lead gone, the planching rotten, the walls fallen downe, the fayre and large chimnye pieces, and all that would yield monie or serve for use, are converted to Men’s private purposes, and there remayneth a false show of honor, not contentinge anie compassionate eye to behold her lingrynge decayes. Men greyve to see the dying delayes of anie brute creature, so may we mourne to see so stately a pyle so long a fallinge, if it be of no use, the carcase would make some profit, therefore if it deserve, let her fall be no longer delayde, else will it drop peece meele downe, and her now profitable reliques will then serve to little or no use.”