was the first house of that order founded in England. Upon the dissolution of religious houses, the Priory with its lands fell into the possession of the Crown; but in 1546 they were granted to Thomas Hawkins, "the son of a person who sold fish at the market cross in Warwick." This Hawkins pulled down the greater part of the ancient structure, and erected on its site the present edifice, which still retains some traces of the old buildings. The property passed through various hands, has undergone repeated alterations, and now has little that can attract or engage the attention of the historical or antiquarian student.

In the suburb at the east end of the town stands the Hospital of St. John the Baptist. It was founded in the reign of Henry II. by William de Newburgh, Earl of Warwick, for "the entertainment and reception of strangers and travellers, as well as those that were poor and infirm." This institution, however, had ceased to exist even prior to the general dissolution, as in that period it was in the possession of the Surrey family of Stoughton. A member of the family, it is conjectured, erected the present picturesque old mansion, which has long been in the possession of the Earls of Warwick, and in several parts bears their distinguished crest.

pretty villas, is Leamington Priors, deriving the first part of the name from its situation on the banks of the Leam, and the last from the circumstance of its having belonged to the Priory of Kenilworth from the reign of Henry II. till the general suppression of monasteries. It now bears the more pretentious name of the Royal Leamington Spa. The existence of a salt spring here is recorded by Camden and Speed, and is thus quaintly noticed by Fuller in his " History of the Worthies of Great Britain":

"At Leamington, two miles from Warwick, there issue out, within a stride, of the womb of the earth, two twin springs, as different in taste and operation, as Jacob and Esau in disposition: the one salt, the other fresh. This the plainest countryman does plainly see by their effects, whilst it would puzzle a consultation of physicians to assign the cause thereof."

Dugdale also observes that in this place "there is a spring of salt water, not above a stone's throw from the river Leam, whereof the inhabitants make much use in seasoning their meat." The humble little village of that day has sprung up into the elegant town, with parades and terraces, crescents and squares, noble hotels, stately mansions, its theatre, halls, and gardens; the poor country meat curers have given place to gay and fashionable throngs in luxurious equipages, and with all the appliances which wealth and rank can command; and the roadside well has become the handsome pump room with orchestral music and other attractions. Leamington, although a place of yesterday's creation, being at the beginning of the century merely an obscure hamlet, is a prosperous and flourishing town. There is nothing antique about it; and the whole interest it possesses is centred in its wells and baths, its promenades, amusements, and fashionable society.

There are in the neighbourhood of Warwick three hills which must not pass unnoticed. Two miles to the north is Hatton Hill, from which an extensive and sweetly diversified prospect is opened over the fertile tract in the midst of which Warwick is situated, in every part highly cultivated and richly wooded, encircled by gently rising hills and bounded in the distance by Shuckburgh Hall to the east, and Edge Hill to the south west and west.

A little to the south of this hill is Grove Park, the seat of Lord Dormer,

described as far back as the 29th of Edward I. by the title of "La Grave," referring to the "thick wood of high trees" there. The old mansion was of considerable antiquity and at one time was surrounded by a moat. The ancient house, however, has given place to a modern mansion, a handsome building in the Tudor style. A small Roman Catholic chapel, standing in the midst of exquisite scenery, is attached to the grove.

A mile and a half from Warwick, on the road to Coventry, is Blacklow Hill, on which Piers de Gaveston, the favourite of Edward II., was beheaded on the 1st of July, 1312. The influence which Gaveston possessed over the prince while his father was alive was so great that, dreading its consequences, the King banished the favourite from the kingdom, and extorted a promise from young Edward that he should never be recalled. No sooner, however, was Edward seated on the throne than Gaveston was sent for, was created Earl of Cornwall, had its possessions bestowed upon him, and had the King's niece given him in marriage. The Barons resented the elevation of this stranger, and twice caused him to be sent out of the kingdom. Twice, however, he was invited by the King to return. At length the barons attacked him in Scarborough Castle, took him prisoner, and conveyed him to the castle of Deddington, near Banbury. Guy, Earl of Warwick, whom Gaveston had personally and particularly affronted by designating him "the black dog of Arden," attacked Deddington, and dragged the unhappy Gaveston to Warwick Castle. There Guy was joined by the Earls of Hereford, Lancaster, and Arundel, and it was by them determined that the royal favourite should die as a common enemy of the kingdom. Their will was law, and they put him to death immediately. A monument, erected some years ago by Bertie Greatheed, Esq., marks the spot, and upon the base is an inscription to this effect: "In a hollow of this rock was beheaded, on the first day of July, 1312, by Barons lawless as himself, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, the minion of a hateful king, in life and death a memorable instance of misrule."

At a short distance off is Guy's Cliff. It was here, according to tradition, that the celebrated Guy, after his battles with dragons and dun cows, pagans, and giants, "having weaned himself from the deceitful pleasures of the world," retired in the hope of receiving "ghostly comfort" from a pious hermit who

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