Among the modern mansions, or palaces, in these parts, the most distinguished is that of Lord Cholmondeley, at _Houghton_, built by the famous Sir Robert Walpole; that of Thomas William Coke Esq. at _Holkham_; and that of Lord Townshend, at _Rainham_. Besides these, there are many others worthy of notice; such as that of Mr. Henley, at _Sandringham_; that of Mr. Styleman, at _Snettisham_; that of Mr. Rolfe, at _Hitcham_; that of Mr. Coldham, at _Anmer_; that of Sir Martin Browne Folkes, at _Hillington_; that of Mr. Hamond, at _Westacre_; that of Mr. Fountaine, at _Narford_; that of Mr. Tyssen, at _Narborough_; that of Sir Richard Bedingfield, at _Oxborough_; that of Mr. Pratt, at _Ruston_; that of Mr. Hare, at _Stowe_; that of Mr. Bell, at _Wallington_; and that of Mr. Plestow, at _Watlington_; to which several others might be added; but most, if not all of them, are of inferior consideration. SECTION II. _A further Account of the Castles_, _edifices_, _and places of ancient note_, _in these parts—Brancaster—Rising—Garwood—Middleton—Wormegay—Castle-acre_, _&c._ RISING, or, as it is commonly called, _Castle-Rising_, is generally considered as the most ancient of all places in this vicinity, except Brancaster, {146} with which it might originally have some connection. It is supposed to have existed in the time of the Romans, as one of their military posts, or inferior stations, which Spelman thought not improbable, from its situation, and the coins there discovered. But it seems by no means clear, or certain, that it is a place of so much greater antiquity than Lynn, as is generally supposed. As a borough, it may, and seems to be the most ancient of the two; but that its origin, as a town, was much, if at all, anterior to that of Lynn, is not so very probable or indubitable as most people have imagined. That it is a place of great antiquity, must however be allowed, as well as that it was formerly of far greater extent, population, and consequence, than it is at present, and than it has been for several ages; otherwise it could, surely, never have acquired the rank of a corporate town, with distinct municipal laws, chartered rights, and the privilege of sending members to parliament—even as many as the county itself: which must always have been absurd enough, but especially at this time, when it is actually one of the most inconsiderable villages within the whole county. It is said to have been formerly a noted sea-port; but the silt and sand, choking up its harbour, have long deprived it of that advantage. To that cause the decay of the town is, probably, to be ascribed. Spelman says, that Rising is a burgh of such high antiquity, that the royal archives and records give no account of it. But may it not be questioned, if his premises will really warrant his conclusion? or, if the silence of the archives and records amounts to a proof of its high antiquity, as a burgh? Might not that silence be owing to some other cause? and may it