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Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 818, 11 March 1871, Page 3

One of the Times' correspondents writes: — Not caring to enter La Ferte after night-fall and commence a search for lodgings, I looked about for a resting place, and was attracted by the romantic aspect of an an old castle (the Chateau de Beauvois) at some distance from the main road, where I determined to venture without a billet and claim hospitality in my capacity of neutral. I found an old chatelain, who tremblingly placed the chateau at my disposal, which he was enabled to do the more freely as it had not been inhabited since the year 1811, when the last marquis died within its walls. As I followed my guide, clanking his heavy keys, through the massive archway flanked by round towers and across the courtyard with its ivy-covered walls and its dark mysterious openings upon steps that led to some nether regions, and finally passed through the inner doors, which swung harshly back upon hinges now rarely used, I felt like some knight of old entering an enchanted castle in search of adventure. I chose for my bedroom a gaunt oak pannelled room, hung round with faded pictures of starched dames and knights in armour, decorated with quaint old carvings, and a fireplace large enough to roast a sheep, where I piled huge logs that threw a ruddy glow over beam and rafter, and candle in hand, when all was still, I descended into the lower regions, where the walls emit a hollow sound and the faded tapestry rattles, and more knights and ladies look down upon me as if 1 had no right to intrude uninvited upon + heir domain ; and the whole place is solemn and ghostlike and mysterious, that I am happy to dine with the chatelain and the wife, who live in a neighboring cottage, and who had furnished the oak-pannelled banqueting hall with bed and bedding, and finally retired and left me to the company of the departed worthies whose pictures I had been investigating, and •whose premises I had thus unlawfully invaded.