Raby Castle in 1783 218 (_From a contemporary Print_) Gainford Hall 222 The Old Hall at Thorpe Thewles 223 Fen Hall 224 (_From a photograph by Mrs. Greenwell_) A Corner of Washington Hall 225 The Doorway, West Rainton Hall 227 General John Lambton, 1710-1794 244 (_From the portrait by G. Romney at Lambton Castle_) Hoppyland Park 248 Portrait of Sir George Bowes 254 (_From the painting at Streatlam Castle_) HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION BY THE REV. HENRY GEE, D.D., F.S.A., MASTER OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DURHAM In the older maps of England, that portion of the country which we call the county of Durham is generally described as "Episcopatus Dunelmensis," or the Bishopric of Durham, or simply the Bishopric. A further glance at the adjacent districts of Northumberland and Yorkshire shows that there are portions larger or smaller of those counties which are marked as integral parts of Durham. These members of the Bishopric are Norhamshire, Islandshire, and Bedlingtonshire in Northumberland, with the Manors of Northallerton, Howden, and Crayke, and certain lands adjacent to them in Yorkshire. These portions of the Bishopric were only cut off from it and merged in their own surrounding counties within the memory of persons still living. Indeed, the distinction between Bishopric folk and County folk--that is to say, people of Durham and people of Northumberland--is not yet quite forgotten, and looks back to a very interesting piece of English history that has to do with a state of things in the North of England which has now passed away.