Ede sold the mansion, with 15 acres of pleasure grounds, gardens, etc., to Messrs. Hill, who started a boys’ school, which was under their management for fifty years. It is interesting to know that Sir Rowland Hill, to whom we are indebted for the Penny Postage Stamp, was one of the joint purchasers. In 1877 the Rev. W. Almack, M.A., took over the school, and it remained in his hands until the school was dissolved in 1890, when Mr. Pedley rented the Castle and grounds for two years, and during this time the building was used for a Loan and Industrial Exhibition. The estate was finally sold for the use of the public, and called Bruce Castle Park. Till within quite recent years the trees and bushes in the front of the Castle were a sight to behold when out in full bloom—white and pink horse-chestnuts, laburnum, white and pink may, guelder roses, and lilac. The ivy was so thick and broad on the top of the wall for some distance down Lordship-lane that it formed quite a verandah. During a heavy storm a great part was blown down. In olden times a curious custom prevailed at Bruce Castle: When any of the family died the corpse was not allowed to be carried through the gate, so an opening was made in the wall near the Church, and through this the coffin was taken. In the time when corpses could be arrested for debt a man died there and, owing to this custom, the family were able to get the corpse into the churchyard before the creditors could claim the body. When the last aperature was opened a Gothic door was fixed in its place. ALL HALLOWS.