The Hawarden Visitors Hand-Book | Page 9

Shading the windows of Mr. Gladstone's Study is a singular circle of
limes of some 20 feet in diameter, which goes by the name of Sir John
Glynne's Dressing-Room. Mounting the slope towards the old castle is
the Broad Walk, terminating in an artificial amphitheatre at the top,
made by Sir John Glynne to give employment in a time of distress. The
grounds abound in fine trees, {29b} and in rhododendrons which in
spring form masses of bloom.
In 1819, Prince Leopold, the late King of the Belgians, visited the
Castle; and the small wooden door on the south side of the Ruins is still
called after him. The Visitors' Book at the Lodge also records, in
autograph, the names of Her Gracious Majesty, as Princess Victoria,
and her mother, the Duchess of Kent, in or about the year 1833.
In the palmy days of the Royal British Bowmen the Castle was the
frequent scene of bow-meetings; the peculiar green costumes and
feathers worn by both the ladies and gentlemen competitors
contributing to the picturesque effect of these gatherings.
Simultaneously with one of these Archery Meetings, in the year, we
believe, 1835, was held a Fancy Bazaar, commemorated in some
admirable lines by Mr. R. E. Warburton of Arley Hall, which will be
read with pleasure in connection with more recent bazaars held in the
same place.
While tents are pitched in Hawarden's peaceful vale, And harmless
shafts the platted targe assail; While now the bow (the archers more
intent On making love than making war) is bent; Beneath those towers,
where erst their fathers drew In deadly conflict bows of tougher yew;
Lo! Charity, a native of the skies, Whose smile betrays her through a
vain disguise, Mounts the steep hill, and 'neath th' o'erhanging wall,
The canvass stretch'd in triumph, plants her stall; In gay profusion o'er

the counter pours Her glittering wares and ranges all her stores.
Beneath the magic of her touch behold Transformed at once the warlike
aims of old! The mighty falchion to a penknife shrinks, The mailed
meshes from the purse's links; The sturdy lance a bodkin now appears,
A bunch of tooth-picks once a hundred spears; A painted toy behold the
keen-edged axe! See men of iron turned to dolls of wax!
The once broad shield contracted now in span Raised as a screen or
fluttered as a fan; The gleaming helm a hollow thimble proves, And
weighty gauntlets dwindle into gloves. The plumes that winged the
arrow through the sky, Waft to and fro the shuttlecock on high; Two
trusty swords are into scissors cross'd, And dinted breastplates are in
corsets lost; While dungeon chains to gentler use consigned, Now
silken laces, tighten stays behind.
Approach! nor weapons more destructive fear, Where'er ye turn, than
pins and needles here. While hobbling Age along the pathway crawls,
By aid of crutch to scale the Castle's walls: With eager steps advance,
ye generous youths, Draw purses all, and strip the loaded booths. Bear
each away some trophy from the steep, Take each a keepsake ere ye
quit the keep! Come, every stranger, every guest draw nigh! No peril
waits you save from beauty's eye.
Hard by the Castle and across the yard will be found Mrs. Gladstone's
Orphanage, containing from 20 to 30 boys. Close by is a little Home of
Rest established by Mrs. Gladstone, for old and infirm women. The
house in which the orphans are lodged is called Diglane, and was
formerly the residence of the Crachley family. It was sold to Sir John
Glynne in 1749.
{Gateway--Castle, shewing Orphanage: p31.jpg}
The Park is about 250 acres in extent, to which have to be added the
Bilberry Wood and Warren Plantations. It is divided into two parts by a
ravine passing immediately under the old Castle and traversing its
entire length. The further side is called the Deer Park, inclosed and
stocked by Sir John Glynne in 1739. Its banks and glades, richly

timbered, and overgrown with bracken, afford from various points
beautiful views over the plain of Chester, with the bold projections of
the Frodsham and Peckforton hills. Along the bottom of the hollow
flows Broughton brook. Two Waterfalls occur in its course through the
Park: the lower is called the Ladies' Fall: near the upper one stood a
Mill, now removed, the erection of which is commemorated by a large
stone, bearing the following inscription:
"Trust in God for Bread, and to the King for Justice, Protection and
Peace. This Mill was built A.D. 1767 By Sir John Glynne, Bart., Lord
of this Manor: Charles Howard Millwright. Wheat was at this year 9s.
and Barley at 5s. 6d. a Bushel. Luxury was at a great height, and
Charity extensive, but the pool were starving, riotous, and hanged."
Between this spot