Nooks of the World: Part II. -- Life in the Dales of Lancashire and Yorkshire -- Wide Contrast between the Aspect and Condition of the Agricultural and Manufacturing Districts -- Poverty and Rudeness of some Parts of Lancashire -- Half-wild Children in the Lancashire Hills -- Old Factory System -- Wild Country between Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales -- General Character of the Dales -- Primitive Simplicity of the People -- Formerly much visited by George Fox -- a Friend’s Meeting -- Dent Dale -- Singular Appearance of the Bed of the River Dent -- Rural Occupation and Vehicles -- Population of a Dale divided into little Communities -- Customs at a Birth -- Knitting Parties -- Knitting Songs -- other Particulars of their Knitting Habits -- Instances of Eccentricities of Character -- Dislike of Factories -- Every Person and House has its Name -- Singular Story of Deception practised on a rich Widow -- Peculiar Customs of the Dales -- their Hospitality 221 CHAPTER IV. Old English Houses -- General Impression of them -- the strong Historic Interest connected with them -- a delightful Record of such Abodes might be written -- Feelings that arise in passing through them -- their various Styles, Furniture, Pictures, Tapestry, and Arms, Memorials of the Changes of National Power and Manners -- Passages of most Tragical Interest indicated by many of our Family Pictures -- Treasures of Ancient Art collected in our Noble Houses -- Horace Walpole’s Wish, that all our Noble Mansions were congregated in London -- beneficial Influence of the Country Residence of the Aristocracy -- Feelings of Horace Walpole on visiting his Father’s House at Houghton 249 CHAPTER V. Hardwicke Hall -- the Author’s Visit to it on the present Duke’s coming of Age -- Scenes which presented themselves -- a Second Visit with a Party of Friends -- a Third Visit after the lapse of Twenty Years -- Present Aspect of the Place -- Building Mania of Bess of Hardwicke -- Remains of the Old Hall of Hardwicke -- Gog and Magog -- Arabella Stewart, and Queen of Scots imprisoned there -- Chapel -- Old Tapestry -- Family Gallery -- Good Taste by which the House is kept in its Original State -- Statue of the Queen of Scots -- Mrs. Jameson’s Account of Hardwicke -- the Duke there -- his Apartments -- Contrast of different Ages presented by such Houses as Hardwicke, Haddon, and Chatsworth 257 CHAPTER VI.