CROCSTON CASTLE, RENFREWSHIRE. FIRST VIEW. THE ruins of this venerable castle are situated in the parish of Paisley, and near the river Cart. It was the principal messuage of the regality of Crocston, in which were included the lordship of Darnley and Inchennan, in Renfrewshire, and the lordship of Torbolton, in the adjoining county, or shire of Ayr. When this superb edifice was perfect, it is said to have consisted of a large quadrangle, with two very lofty towers, embattled at the wings, and containing many spacious and elegant apartments; of which, however, the present remains convey but a very imperfect idea, notwithstanding they impose upon the beholder awe, veneration, and respect: as a proof, however, that this place was held in high estimation, the impress on the reverse of a coinage, each piece weighing one ounce, when Mary Queen of Scotland returned from France, and after her marriage with the Earl of Darnley, by her majesty's order, represented the very celebrated yewtree, growing close to, and perhaps coeval with the castle itself; and famed even at that period throughout the country for its extraordinary size, being no less than ten feet in circumference to the height of seven from the ground, and spreading its luxuriant branches to an inconceivable distance. Latterly, however, cropping its head retarded its still growth. This tree, situated to the east of the castle, presented an object of uncommon curiosity, and was conspicuous for several miles around. The coin, above alluded to, is particularly noticed and described by the Right Reverend Doctor Nicholson, Lord Bishop of Carlisle, in his Scottish Historical Library, page 322. The ancient proprietors of this castle and its barony were of the name of Croc. In early times, it is generally understood, when sirnames were first used, families for the most part designated themselves, and were called after their hereditary possessions: most probably it was so in the present case: be that however as it may, no doubt can exist but the Crocs were of considerable antiquity; for there is proof on record, that Robert de Croc was a witness, amongst others, to the charter of Paisley Abbey, in the reign of Malcolm the Fourth. The barony, together with other large property, by the marriage of the heiress of Robert de Croc with an ancestor of the last Duke of Lennox, at length came into that family; afterwards by sale it passed into the Grahams, Duke of Montroses, from whence it was purchased, about the year 1757, by Sir James Maxwell, of Nether Pollock, with whose descendants it now remains. This View was taken in the autumn of 1807. CROCSTON CASTLE, RENFREWSHIRE. SECOND VIEW. THE view given of Crocston Castle in the annexed plate is a representation of part of the interior of that once noble edifice. The thickness of its walls, the solidity of its masonry, and the skill of the architect in its erection, appeared likely to have bid defiance to time, and its majestic perfection at this hour have recorded its own importance. Alas! the universal scythe has swept down all before it; has nearly levelled its walls with the ground, and crumbled to dust its high and frowning battlements. This place, once the seat of revelry and mirth, presents an awful lesson to mankind: it points to what the proudest palaces must come to-palaces, which in these our days blaze with all the pomp of royalty and state-and are thronged with the idle and the gay-with the thoughtless, the dissipated, and the proud! Extensive are the prospects from Crocston, wherever the eye of the beholder may be directed; and the views of it from the surrounding country are no less gratifying and important, particularly from Cardownel, one of the seats of Lord Blayntree, situated on the oppo |