Note 27 — ALNWICK CASTLE.[18]

The park and grounds are always freely open to “the people,” and, on stated occasions, parts of the castle. This is a boon of magnitude, not only to the inhabitants of the town and district, but to many who come from far distances to obtain free air and healthful recreation from Nature where her aspect is most cheering and her influence most invigorating. On the 20th of August, 1868, on arriving at the Alnwick Station, we met upwards of 2,000 men, women, and children, who had been enjoying a day in the Park. It was the annual pic-nic of persons employed by the Jarrow Chemical Works (Newcastle-on-Tyne), they were accompanied, not only by the overseers, but the partners of the firm. A more orderly crowd it would have been impossible to have met anywhere.