situation and quaint internal construction, appears to have been
peculiarly suitable for the secretion of persecuted priests. Here
are ample means for concealment and escape into the surrounding
woods; and so carefully have the ingenious bolts and locks of
the various hiding-places been preserved, that one would almost
imagine that there was still actual necessity for their use in
these matter-of-fact days!

A remarkable place for concealment exists in one of the gables
close to the ceiling. It is triangular in shape, and is opened
by a spring-bolt that can be unlatched by pulling a string which
runs through a tiny hole pierced in the framework of the door of
the adjoining room. The door of the hiding-place swings upon a
pivot, and externally is thickly covered with plaster, so as to
resemble the rest of the wall, and is so solid that when sounded
there is no hollow sound from the cavity behind, where, no doubt
the crucifix and sacred vessels were secreted.

[Illustration: HIDING-PLACE, UFTON COURT]

[Illustration: HIDING PLACE, UFTON COURT]

Not far off, in an upper garret, is a hiding-place in the thickness
of the wall, large enough to contain a man standing upright.
Like the other, the door, or entrance, forms part of the plaster
wall, intersected by thick oak beams, into which it exactly fits,
disguising any appearance of an opening. Again, in one of the
passages of this curious old mansion are further evidences of
the hardships to which Romish priests were subjected--a trap in
the floor, which can only be opened by pulling up what exteriorly