The castle in the Isle of Lundy (1770)

Grose, Francis. Antiquities of England and Wales. London: S. Hooper, 1785. Vol. VI. pp. 193-6.Having in the former Plate [SC1431] given such description of this Island and Castle as was to be found in our ancient Writers, an account of its present state here follows, communicated by a Gentleman who visited it last summer.[…]It is supposed that the island contains about 2000 acres; about 500 of which, chiefly towards the S. end are tolerable good land - much of the middle inland, and the greater part of the N. being rocky and barren. The best part not having been in a state of cultivation for many years past, is now much over-run with fern and heath, and some furze; but the N. end has little besides moss and liverworts to cover the bare rock. There is an immense quantity of rabbits all over the Island. In the summer-season there is a great resort to it of those species of birds which frequent the Isle of Wight and Flamborough-head; in the winter, of sterlings and woodcocks. Rats are so numerous here as to be very troublesome; they are all of the black sort: the great brown rat, which has extirpated this kind all over England, not having yet found its way into the island of Lundy.[…]Lundy seems to be an healthy spot, if one may judge from the age of the three last of its inhabitants: Sharp, who was about 96; Newell and Andrews, both now living; the first aged 85, at Ilfracomb; and the latter 80, equal almost in activity to his fellow-inhabitants the deer. The Island is now, by purchase, the sole property of Sir John Borlase Warren, Bart. who has had surveys made thereof, with intent (if practicable) of building a pier there, and once more causing it to be inhabited and cultivated.A family constantly resides here to take care of the island for the Proprietor. The Castle has large outworks, and was surrounded by a ditch, which may be traced in many parts.The Prospect of it here given shews a near View of it, and was drawn Anno 1775.[Text may be taken from a different edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Copper l.engr

105x148mm

S008. GROSE, Francis: ANTIQUITIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.