When a more
peaceful era drew night the population began to decline; they found it
more convenient to establish themselves in the new settlement lower
down. Then came the Good Duke Alfred--that potentate who, as Mr. Eames
was wont to say, NIHIL QUOD TETIGIT NON ORNAVIT. He took a fancy to
this quaint old citadel which, before his day, could only be reached b
a rough mule-track easily defended against invaders. After constructing
a fine road of access with many twists and turnings, wide enough to
admit the passage of two of his roomy state carriages driving abreast,
he turned his mind to other improvements. Professing to be an admirer
of the good old times, he decided to keep up its traditional
character--it was to remain a fortress, in appearance if not reality. A
massive crenellated rampart, furnished with four gateways and
watch-towers at convenient intervals but serving no purpose in
particular, grew up around the place; every one of its houses which
failed to fit in with the design of this battlemented structure--and
there were a good many of them--was ruthlessly demolished.
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