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.’ , A, a NEW DESCRIPTION 7‘ a t

B L B H B I M,

THE SEAT OF HIS GRACE

THE DUKE 0F MARLBOROUGH:

4 ‘Containing a fall and accurate Acceunt [of the
PAINTINGS, TAPESTRY, AND FURNITURE;

, A PICTURESQUE TOUR OF THE

GARDENS E” PARK;

AND A

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHINA GALLERY, 8m.

WITH A
PRELIMINARY ESSAY
ON

LANDSCAPE GARDENING.

-—-—

 

nct the vale

Of Tempe, fam’ d in song, not Ida’s grove
Such beauty boasts. LORD LYTTLETON’ s Blenheim. '

 

 

 

 

O
- EIGHTH EDITION, improved and enlarged.
Embellished with a new and elegant Plan of the Park, &c.
m
OXFORD :
PRINTED AND SOLD BY J. MUNDAY, HERALD OFFICE,
Sold also by
LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND co. AND CADELL AND DAVIES,
LONDON; AND BY ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS .
IN TOWN AND COUNTRY.
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ADVERTISEMENT.
- i “—1 ' 7 ._

NO publications are more entertaining. or
useful than local delineations and descrip-
tions, drawn with fidelity and taste: they
enable persons to form a just idea of re-
markable places, to'which fortune or situ-
ation denies them aCcess ; and without Such
aids,- occasional spectators, who have not
leisure to trace every beauty for themselves,
mustxinevitably lose half the pleasure and '
satisfaction to be derived from their EX-
CURSIONS;Iand atbest carry with them an
evanescent impression, and ”an imperfect
remembrance of what they have seen. Few
places possess more attractions than BLEN-
HEIM; and yet few places have received less
justice from the POET or HISTORIAN.-——-
WHEATLEY and GILPIN, who had every
requisite qualification to do it justice, have
only mentioned it in a cursory manner; and
Loans LYTTLETQN and MANSFIELD lived.
too near the aera of the first Duke of MARL~
BOROUGH’S exploits, to describe the place,
farther than might serve as a vehicle for the

1.3
“,3
Cl.

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praise of the HERO. As for those 'who have

viewed it» solely with the eyes of critics,
their strictures can be of little use to-the
public in general: “ when men begin to
reason, they cease to feel” the beauties
either of nature or of art. . , ,

The present work was originally intended
as an attempt at more appropriate deline-
ation; and the (Author, animated by the
liberal encouragement and approbation of

r the public, through SEVEN large impressions,

has now revised the whole with diligent
attention; and made such additions. and
alterations, as existing circumstances and
alOng acquaintance with the subject, seem-
ed to require. ~

He has been the more anxious to do this,
because it is possible the work may never
receive any farther improvement from his
hands; and because, should his name de-
serve to descend to posterity, on account
of more important, though not more pleas—
ing labours, it will infallibly be connected
with WOODSTOCK, and with BLENHEIM in

particular.

 

     

 

 

Page

GENERAL INFORMATION - — - — viii
PRELIMINARY ESSAY ON LANDSCAPE
GARDENING - - - 7- - A -/
PALACE, THEATRE, &c. - - -' - 117
PAINTINGS, TAPESTRY, AND FURNI-
TUREA - - - - — - - .- - 25
TITIAN ROOM - ‘ - — - - - — ' 50
CHINA GALLERY ‘ - - — - - — 52
GARDENS, &c. - - - - - - - 56
RIVER — - - - - - - — - 82
PARK, &0. - -L - - - .. .. .. 9D
WOODSTOCK - — - - — - - 134
ALPHABETICAL CATALOGUE OF PLANTS 144
NOTICES TO PARTIES OF PLEASURE - 147

ITINERARY FROM WOODSTOCK -- ‘ - 147*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 
 
  
  
     
 
 
  
    

{GENERAL INFORMATION.

.9

l‘ J9LENH EI M may be seen every after-

noon, from three 'till five 0’ C lock, except on

”Sundays and public Days. On Fair days at

Woodstock, likewise, it can be seen only by
particular permission. ‘ ‘ _ '
COMPANY who arrive in the morning may

’ take the ride of the Park, or the walk of the

Gardens, before dinner, and after thatvisit
the Palace. .

The CHINA GALLERY, PARK, and GAII»
DENS, will, on proper application, be shewn'
at any hour of the day, except during the
time 9f Divine Service on Sundays. '

' *,* Plains of Blenheim Park, on grand Eagle French Paper, plain

or Coloured, for framing, may be had where the Dcofifiption “JON. ,

Price 1:. plain, and 20. coloured.

&

 

 

 

 

 

  
      

 

 

 

 

          

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. GARDENS,PARK,PLANTA1§IOESL&cmhe SEAToins GRACE $533

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PRELIMINARY ESSAY

 
 
 
 
 
  
      
      

iANDS’CAPE GARDENING;

NATURAL Taste is the foundation of all " i i' -_ g - ~
picturesque embellishment. To, seize the j/ i V
grand outline with the mind’s eye, to adapt. ‘
the design to the predominant features in . 4 - 2Q
the landscape, to unfold the beauties of - ' V '
nature. by the masterly tOuches of art; is I»
' i the sublime province of the ornamental
composer of rural scenery.- “ i it; 9
_ That‘this science has been cultivated 7 p
with the greatest success in this’country, ' .
even jealousy and national rivalry will '
not pretend to deny. Foreign writers, _ _‘ e.
distinguished for their taste, have allowed I '_ "
B ,.

 

 

 

 

Q ~ PRELIMINARY ESSAY

the English, a pre-eminence in landscape
andornamental gardening, and that they
were the first who emancipated themselves
from the trammelsof prejudice and for—
mality: and recurring to nature, which
had long been banished from the seats of
the great, invited her to her’ deserted-
arbodes, and gave her'a new and more im‘
posing aspect.

KENT saw the in-congruity of artificial
design, when at variance with nature. The:
straightwalk, the clipped hedge, the tor-
t'ured yew, sun-k beneath the superior
chastity of his taste. He made as much:
progress as an innovator, who had a pre-
vailing bad taste to contend with, could:
“be expected to do. Perhaps his own-was
not quite correct. One age seldom unfolds-w
an idea, and brings that idea to perfection".
'We have had schools of painting, as well as.
of ornamental scenery. Some masters
were distinguished for one'excellence, and
some for; another. The force of genius has
at intervals prevailed over original disad-
vantages; and produced works to be ad-
mired, though not- in every. respect de-
serving ,imitationt REYNOLDS, who will

 

‘
. - , i — V j A ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING. _ 3

ever remain the glory of British painters,
with a mind enlightened by science, and .
chastised by taste, embodied the form, and
caught the character, which he transfused
into the colouring on the canvas. He»
grouped—he combined—he followed na-
ture, and therefore succeeded ; but he had
great artists among his predecessors, who
paved‘the way for the attainment of supe—
rior excellence. . a o

It was not thus with picturesque embel-
lishment: The ScienCe was comparatively
new; and; where attempts had been for—
merly made. they were in general conduct,-
ed on a wrong principle, or proceeded from
a Vitiated taste. ,

KENT hadevery obstacle in his way ; yet
be accomplished much; and gratitude is
due to him who deviates from a wrong path,
andvaspires to perfection, though he i may
not be able to reach her temple.

To KENT succeeded BROWN—a man orig
ginally bred a gardener; and from this“
fortuitous circumstance, without a par—
ticle of his genius, every person who can
superintend a kitchen-garden, ,or‘handlewa
Spade, has thought himself qualified to .

B 2 ‘

 

 

 

4 - PRELIMINARY ESSAY

quit his 'sphere, and attempt design. But .
BROWN possessed an originality of concep- '4"
_ tion, a Poet’s eye, and an instinctive taste
for rural embellishment. He was at last
animated and inspired by some of his own

creations. ,
He saw the deformity of perverted beauty ‘
with keener optics than KENT—~he Viewed ' {1'

nature with the enthusiasm of a lover ; and
though it cannot be denied, that he some-
times tricked her out in meretricious orna-

, A Ax’flg‘lmwwfimyfi Mm,

ments, and patched her with too refined an
art, he never lost sight of her prominent

 

, charms; and his. worst errors can only be
considered as minute pimples on a beautiful
face*.

We have, however, seen this mighty
master of picturesque embellishment sew
vverely censured by some of-‘his own coun-
trymen, who, indulging too much in the
visions of theory, haVe denied him the
limerit of practical excellence. Because
BROWN could execute better than he could

I‘ Brown, as an ingenious critic obscures, made it his maxim to.
follow and to copy Nature; whom, if he did not always represent in
the images he set up to her honOur, he at least ceased to be admired

_ and adored.

 

 

 

 

 

on LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 5

describe, and worked by selfvtaught rules,
he has been attacked with unbecoming
‘esperity; and some of his most capital
performances have been ascribed to chance,
or to a dereliction of his own principles.
But who can reduce the infinite variety
of situations that ask for improvementflto
any systematic principles! The powerful
genius of a place will imperiously set rules
at defiance; and, in fact, art can only be
the handmaid of nature, whose beauties,
presenting a boundless variety, are alike
indignant of confinement and control*.
The attempt at system is only an effort
to bring us back to what has justly been
exploded. ' “ I have no magical [skill in
planting roses,” says Gray; and were this
skill attainable, the landscape gardener
should reject it. Nature disdains the fet-
ters of art, rl‘he best principles can never
be universally applicable to all situations.

9* REPTON’S sliding plates, which exhibit a place in its original
state, and according to his intended improvements, are a novel and
excellent invention. They shew by contrast what embellishments the
situation is susceptible of, and in general indicate a very correct taste
in the designer. To him, however, is opposed London, who, professing-
;0 follow nature alone, sometimes descends to the affectation of mi-
puteness, though his general ideas possess much merit.

 

 

5. ‘ PRELIMINARY ESSAY

The painter may invent or reject at plea—-

sure, and adhere to the rules of his art:

the‘embellisher of landscape is more 0011-.

fined in his operations; he cannot always

reject—he can only improve. His-inven-

tion may cover some defects ; but it cannot

always command the excellencies he might

wish. ' Besides, a flat surface and an ex;-

' tended natural. scene, are very different ma— ,
terials to work on, and will have very dif-

ferent eiiects when viewed by the eye of
natural tasteik‘, the only just criterion of
rural embellishment.

The chef d’ocuvre of BROWN was the
improvements at BLENHEIM. He had the
noblest field to display his talents on, and
he did not labour in vain. But though he
traced the outline with effect, the correct
taste of the noble possessor of this mag-
nificent place has enabled him to give it
'many additional touches, and to improve
its drapery. He has, however, preserved
the unity of the design, and only heightened

* By natural taste is meant that quick perception of the beauties
and deformities of nature, which enables a person at once. to decide.
No faculty is more rare. It requires the union of a poetic imagination

with a correct judgment.

 

 

 

   

 

0N LANDSCAPE GARDENING. . 7

the colouring. Who, that now visits these
picturesque scenes can deny, but that“
plantations have been applied, to all the
principal purposes . which M. De Girardin,
perhaps copying from his beloved Erme-
nonville, conceives ought'to be their grand
objects:

“T 0 form the perspective or side scenes '
of the foreground, that may best connect
. the distances, with the principal points of
view.”

“To raise such elevations or scenes, as
may give relief even to an absolute flat.”

“ To hide all disagreeable objects.”

“ To give more extent to those that are
pleasing, by concealing their terminations
behind a mass of Wood; by which means
the imagination continues them beyond.
the point where they are seen.”

“ To give an agreeable outline to all. .,

surfaces, whether of land or water.”
‘ These are the ideasvof a master; and we
here see them realized. They who think
justly, in matters not under the influence
of the passions, will generally think the
same: hence Often coincidence without
intention. ' '

_ ‘Wfih ;...-..v~ 5,"

, ,dfssccw >

     

 

 

 

 

 

.
i
a.
as
1,
3;;

8 , fiRELiMINARY ESSAY

'But While BROWN has been too indiss
criminately condemned by some, he. has.
also been too ”lavishly praised by others;
where he is least defensible. His clumps
must in many cases be given up by his
most zealous partizans, or receive a de-
gree of connection by intermediate planting,

’ asphas been done at BLENHEIM, in order to

preserve the. uniformity of the scene. His
unvarying circular belts too, where they
are not broken into masses, as we see them
here, and when they serve to eXelude the
prospect. of the surrounding country. are
real defects in picturesque beauty. No
kind of property is less the object of envy,
or more grateful to the eye, than to take
possession of a country in an extensive
View: it contributes to the. general beauty,
and is, equally enjoyed by all,.without
ofience to any. That display of nature
is certainly most magnificent, which is
bounded only by the horizon:- where
scenes, under the immediate View, present
the most captivating charms, and where
the distance harmonizes with the fore-r
ground.

Such is the prevailing“ character of

 

 

 

~ WWW/11W ‘xrv' ' 7 ‘

0N LANDSCAPE GARDENING. ‘ '9

BLENHEIM. But let us not degrade it into
a mere object to please the eye of taste,

‘however refined. It presents views to in-

terest the heart; To the picturesque land-
scape which charms the sight, it superadds
the moral landscape that delights the mind.
In its wide extent, it exhibits accommo~
datio‘ns for age, remunerated for services
in youth—~It is peopled with happy labour-

ers-—it is stockedwith cattle—it waves with

corn*. These not only enliven its most

3" SONNET, on seeing some hundred additional acres in
Blenheim Park, converted into tillage. ‘

0ft o’ervthis scene, with raptured eye, the Muse
Has lov’d to stray, while Fancy’s magic glass ‘

In fairy tints has painted ancient views,

And shewn in long array Fame’s fav’rites' pass:
“Th’ illustrious line of names renown’d of old,
Imagination wakes—and startles to behold.——--
Here RURAL BEAUTY fix’d her pristine reign,

And lur’d ourpMONARCHS to her native seat;

Here ev’ry spot—the shade, the slope, the'plain,
Is sacred ground, and worn by hallow’d feet.

And shall brown CERES o’er the space preside,
Where Kings have ponder’d, and a CHAUCER sung?
Yes, goddess, come! with thee the gifts abide,
That prop the pomp of State,-—that tune the poet’s

tongue. '
1795.

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10 . PRELIMINARY ESSAY.

brilliant scenes, but give them a charm to
the heart of sensibility, Which- no inanimate
or unproductive embellishments can pos-
sibly convey. The‘splendid seat may indi-
. cate the fortune of the possessor, but it is
the state of the cottages in the vicinity that
marks the character of the man. Every
lodge within. the limits of anoblenian’s or
gentleman’s domain, multiplies the means of ‘

 

supefintendence at a very small expence,
and is equally beneficial to himself and to

the community. In fine, we may say with.
De Lille,

Qui fait aimer les champs, —fait aimer la vertn.

 

 

 

 

"s

NEW DESCRIPTION

0!

BLENHEIJW,

THE Palace or- Castle of BLENHEIM, one ‘
of the most. magnificent piles of architece
ture in this kingdom, and perhaps in Europe,
if we except a few‘royal residences, stands
in the finest part of one of the finest coung
ties in England, within half a mile of the
borough of New Woodstock; distant about,
eight miles from the University of Oxford,
and sixty-three from London. The sur-.
rounding country, though presenting none
of the holder features of nature, is fertile
and irriguous, adorned with woods, and:
abounding with seats of the nobility and
gentry; the air is pure, mild, and salubri-
ous', and all the necessaries and many of.
the luxuries of life, are plentiful and choice.
BLENHEIM was built at the public en-
C 2

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12 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

pence in the reign of Queen ANNE, by,
Whom, with the concurrence of Parliament,
which voted half a million* for its com-2r
pletion, it was confer-red, together with the
honour of WOODSTOCK, on the most illus—.
trious JOHN DUKE of MARLBOROUGH, as
a testimony of royal, favour and national
gratitude for- his transcendent services, and
the many signal victories he had gained:
over the French and Bavarians, particularly
that near the village of Blenheim, on the
banks of the Danube, from which this
noble palace receives its name, This vic-
tory being atchieved on the second day of
August, 1704, it was enacted, “That on\
the same day of every year for ever, the
inheritors'of his Grace’s honours and titles.
should render; at WINDSOR to her Majesty,
her heirs and successors, one standard or
colours, with three fleurs-de—lis painted
thereon, as an acquittance for all manner
Of rents, suits, and services due to the
Crown." The terms of this tenure are
punctually Observed.

* Though Parliament was apparently so liberal,» immense sums have,
been expanded by the family on this noble structure and its accom-
paniments. to bring it to its present state. The 'Trz'umphal Gate, the
Pillar, and the Grand Bfidgfi: were wholly built at their private ex-
pencee ' ’

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM. 13

The architect of Blenheim was Sir JOHN .

VANBRUGH, who, though he has been
censured, with some shew of reason, for
the general heaviness of his designs, and
his deviation from the purer models of
Greece and Rome, must at least stand ac-
quitted in this instance, when it" is con-
. sidered, that strength and durability were
principal objects to be regarded, in a pile-
‘ intended to remain a monument; of British-
valour and British generosity, till the latest
i periods of time by ‘

 

Till time’s remotest stage design’d to prove
A CHURCHILL’S valour, and a Nation’s love*.

Accordingly, we find both the plan and
the eXecution excellently adapted to answer
those momentous purposes; and while the
more modern and shewy fabrics are 'only
the boast of an age, Blenheim seems cal-"-

culated to stand uninjured by the lapse of .

years, and to excite, the admiration of
foreigners as well as natives, in proportion
as it is better known.

But Vanbrugh does not stand in need

‘ The verses interspersed, where not otherwise acknowledged, are
generally taken from Blenheim, a Poem, by the author of this
Description, first published m 1787.

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l4 DESCBIFTION OF BLENHEIM. r,

‘
\

of the poor compliment oi?” an apology for
, "his design,—-he deserves very considerable

. . I -
.
_ I - .
. k, "vw'w- MI!“- ”‘1" ‘4: 4—9 ml «o'n h .‘fl ,..... MW

'g / _ applause for his judgment, in a circumv ;
i " ~ 'stance‘ which has principally exposed him
; g to the censure of pretended critics: he has

rendered this structure characteristic and

expressive of its destination. Its massy

grandeur, its spacious portals, and its lofty
_ / towers, recal the ideas of defence and
j , . ' security; with these we naturally associate
j , the hero for whom it was erected, and
thus find itemblematic of his talents and
pursuits*.
‘ From ‘Woodstock, the usual approach,
we enter. the park through a grand TRIUM- _
PHALTARCH, or spacious portal of the Co. 3

‘? When this description was first published, the strictures on/Vanq
hi‘iigh‘s Architecture had been so long and so often bandied about by

 

unreflecring prejudice, that the Author was fearful to bestow even an i

2. s ...._,-V

adeguate eulogium on this noble pile. He has not the vanity to think
that he has been able to give a turn to the public opinion in this re:
spect; but he certainly has the pleasure to find, that several writers
of indisputable taste, since that period, have stepped forward in vine
dication of his general sentiments, and have even far excee ded his mo.
derate commendation. But the age of Blenheim has reached a century ,
and the. reign of error or of prejudice, lS seldom of longer duration!
1; has been observedl however, thatfroni the. great CXtent. qfi the
i . wings, the centre appears too low; or wanting relief; and no one will

, I ,
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. ‘ attempt to de bind the panning statues of lions tearing cocks. Theses,
last minht be remdved without the least Injury to the pile, whose real
, heautiQS, though not wholly reducible to ti: e strict orders of archie

tectme, must ever please the most fastidious taste.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM. 15

Tinthian ordef, raised to'the memory of

John Duke of Marlborough, by Sarah his

Duchess; and charged with the following
, inscription, on the side next Woodstock:

PORTA HAE’C EXTvaTA EST ANNO POST OBITV'M
TLLVSTRISSIMI
JOHANNIS DVCIS DE MARLBOROVGH JVS‘SV ATQVE
- ’ AVSPICIIS I
SARAE CONJVGIS DILECTISSIMAE CVI TESTAMENTO
COMMENDAVIT OPERA
QVIBVS VLTIMAM IP‘SE MANVM NON IMPOSVERAT.
QVANTA FVERINT DVCIS 1N REMPVBLICAM MERITA
INGEESSO Tm
PLVRIBVS DICET COLVMNA QVKM OPTIMAE
CONJVGIS PIETAS PONI VOLVIT
VT PEEENNE ESSET IPSIVS GLORIAE SVAEQVE
DI‘LECTIONIS MONVMENTVM.
A. D. MDCCXXIII.

Towards the park is the subsequent trans.
latiOH: »

THISGATE WAS BVILT THE YEAR AFTER THE DEATH
OF THE MOST ILLVSTEIOVS
.JO-HN DVKE OF MARLBOROVGH BY ORDER OF SARAH
HIS MOST BELOVED WIFE
To WHOM HE LEFT THE SOLE DIRECTION OF THE
MANY THINGS '
THAT REMAINED‘ VNFINI‘SHED OF THIS FABRICK.
THE SERVICES OF THISGEEAT MAN To HIS
COVNTRY THE PILLAR
WILL TELL YOV WHICH THE DVCHESS HAS ERECTED’
FOR A LASTING
MONVMENT OF HIS GLORY AND HER AFFECTION
To HIM.
MDCCXXIIL

 

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16 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

 

On entering the park, one of the most
enchanting prospects in nature discloses
itself to our View; The PALACE appears
:. in front, the towers «of which rise into the
Q ' r horizon; on the left, part of the borough
‘ of WOODSTOCK; on the right, a broad
and deep valley, through which flows a
river Of equal extent, with bold and wind—
ing shores, at a proportionate distance ina
tersected, but visibly not terminated, by a

 

 

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BRIDGE of corresponding magnificence to
the grandeur of the scene g—a swelling
j . ' , ”lawn, crowned with a superb and lofty
COLUMN, which leaves the tallest trees,
that seem, crowding round its base, at an

 

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/ immense distance below; whilelight clumps,
shady groves, and plantations of difierent
shapes and hues, skirt the bounding dales,
or clothe the remoter slopes ;-—-a second
- _ ‘ reach of water beyond the bridge, fringed -
by deepwoods that rise to the very summit
of the opposite hill, and compose a vari‘
ously tinted and indented surface of luxu-
riant foliage—uall these form an assemblage
of attractions, unrivalled; and conspire to
Strike the eye of taste with an irresistible
charm. In this singularly picturesque land-
scape, the beautiful and the sublime are

 

 

 

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DESCRIPTION or 'BLENHEIMS 1‘7"
{mast intimately combined; all that can
please, elevate, or astonish; disPlay‘them-a
selves at once;- and the mind is at a loss to
know to what source it is chiefly indebted ‘
for its pleasure, or rather what is the pre-'-
dominant character‘of the objects that arrest.
its attention. a '
At a small distance from this portal,
towards the right, is the Centrum P/zom's
cum, or speaker’s place; of a very remark-
‘ able polysyllabic’al articulate ECHO; which,
according to Dr. Plott, in 'his Natural
History of Oxfordshire, will distinctly re-s
‘ peat seventeen Syllables in 'a calm day, and
in the" night twenty: but the demolition
of the ancient palace, which stood on the
brow of the opposite hill, the extension
of the river, or these effects . combined,
have in a great measure diminished itssura
prising powers. However, a ‘very superior _
ECHO may still be heard-by:- a speaker
stationed near an old cedar tree, between. '
ROSAMOND’S Well and the bridge ;,. and.
it is nothing unusual for. those Who areac-
quainted with‘thiscircumstance to ;com-
pliment the vocal nymph with a familiar
salutation, which is speedily returned‘with
, amazing exactness of articulation, and re--
D

 

 

 

18' DESCRIPTION OF BLE‘NHEM.

iterated according to the stillness of the’
surrounding scene. Musical sounds haw
a. delightful effect on this spot; and I have
heard-b the vocal nymph complimented with»
a song, in her own praise,- in whlch she did
not disdain to join.

A broad gravel-read, preserving one‘
uniform direction for a quarter of a mile,
and gradually diverging from the sweep of
the river,- conducts us towards the eastern
.gate of the palace. This road is almost
Wholly open. 011 the Woodstock side,
only a few small rising. clumps appear,
which assist to conceal the boundary from.
other points of view, and to break the line
of some private houses; a few trees, fanci—
fully disposed, skirt the slope, and others
of alarger’ growth range with the stream
on its very edge, and afford some pretty
glad—es into the water between their trunks
and boughs; but their heads scarcely rising
above the level of the walk, they serve
rather to vary than to conceal. In front
of the HOME LODGE, on the left, appears
that elegant structure, the CHINA GAL-
LERY, which will be separately described
in the sequel.

As we advance, the prospects diversify;

 

 

 

 

 

 

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nascmp'non or BLENHEl'M, '39

[I], filevfine rural scenes'in the northern part

bf the park become more and more con-
spicuous; and to the Berth-west, the eye
takes in an ample field of cheerful object’s, .
{over a wide extent ofcchampaign and wood;

land country, to the extremityof WHICH.»
WOOD Forest, which is‘finely contrasted

" with the deep umbrage that overhangs the
lake, and intercepts the View. This road,

which is only lateral» and circuitous to
avoid‘the stiffness of a direct approach, at
last ' falls into another, denominated the
MALL, which beginning at the noble entrance
onthe south of Woodstock, called Hensin g1-
ton Gate, is lined by double rows of stately

trees, and forms a beautiful and spacious

\

vista to the Palace.
By-the eastern gate of the Palace, oVer
which is a reservoir capable of c0nt-aining

fiye‘ hundred hogsheads of water”: we enter
an arcaded quadrangle; on the right, con-

sisting of offices; on the left, chiefly OCCH:

'vpied by the THEATRE, whioh is fitted up in
{a style of peculiar elegance, and with ap’y

pendages correspondent to the niunificence

. This water, which supplies the home, is raised by an engine 9;, i

Aldorsea’s construction, erected 111 Old Woodstock mill. :7- P -' 3
. D 2

o

 

 

 

 

 

209 . , DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM. *-

and-fortune‘of the owner.’ The stage 33 ‘

large,- and is furnished with: proper-changes
of scenery and fixtures: the. seats for the

audience are easy and commodious, and.
capable of accommodating two 'hundred_

persons, Without including the sidegboxpes.
The whole has a grand and a pleasing.

efFe/ct,-and is open to the, inspection of those *—
who desire it. ‘

From this quadrangle, we proceed into
the area, where the NORTHFRONT opens

' to the View; a noble piece of architecture,

in r a mixed, original stile, three, hundred
and forty-eight feet from wing to wing, and
highly ornamented, particularly in the C887
.tre, which stands on Corinthian pillars of
vast magnitude.

This 1s the grand approach, and to it we

are properly conducted over the valley,
through which the river winds, by a mag:-
.‘nificent bridge*, which has been frequently
compared to the RIALTQ at Venice, though
without any parallel of application. The
.diameter of its centre arch is a hundred
and one feet:

" In this bridge are various apartments, which have never been

~ ,fitted up, though for summer retreats, they would be extremely

pleasant.

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' ' DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM. , 21

'Thro’ which the Danube might collected pour '
His spacious urn. -

The effect of this bridge, which unites
two hills, and gives an uniformity and cons-
sistency to the scene, that would otherwise
- be, disjointed and complex, is peculiarly
'p grand; and its application, one of the hape
'5' piest efforts of judgment- Beyond it, on
1‘ a considerable eminence, in the midst of a
fine lawn, is a stately column or pillar, one _
hundred and thirty feet high, on the top of

.. ' - which stands a colossal statue of the im-

‘ mortal John Churchill, Duke of Marlbo—

rough,

 

 

Like a guardian God sublime,
And awes the subject plain;

’ , "Every circumstance that enters into the
composition of the scene, unites to promote
one vast and beautiful effect, The north
front itself is of such magnificence asto

’ ‘ diffuse a lustre on surrounding objects; the

accompaniments are well adapted to reflect

it back on the building; a fine expanse of
water stretches its arms around, as if proud

‘. 'to embrace it, approaches in a variety of

p ' directions, spreads its animating spirit over

 

 

  

 

 

’22 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

the whole, andiconnects together the widely:
extended, and extremely diversified parts
of the brilliant landscape,

The SOUTH FRONT, though less exten-
sive, is highly elegant, and constructed in

, the purest stile ,of architecture. It com-,-

mands a calm scene, a View that, without
surprising, no repetition can render indif.
ferent: the "eye rests on it with complacency,
and returns to it with delight. ,The fore-

ground is a fine lawn, frequently covered}

with sheep, and enlivened with pheasants,
so tame as to follow their feeder; the plea-1n
sure grounds succeed; behind is a beautiful
perspective of the village of BLADON, just
peeping through tufted trees; and still far~
ther, a prospect of the distant hills, which
breaking one hefore another, exhibit a siic-s
’c‘ession of chains, till the last, a continua-.-
tion of the CHILTERN Range, or the WHITE,
HORSE hill in Berkshire, gradually dissolves
in the almost boundless horizon, on the
south—west. Over the portion, which does
credit to the Corinthian order, stands a cog.
lossal bust of LOUIS XIV. of France, taken
from the gates of Tournay.

A glorious trophy to the Victor’s fame,“
Alasting record of the GALLic shame,

  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 
   
     
   
   
     
         
     
    

   
  
 
  
   
   
  

  
  
 

 

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DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM. 23

It is adorned with proper military emblems,
and under it is the subsequent 1nscription,
running along the pediment:

EUROPA? 1122c VINDEX GENIO DECORA ALTA BRITANNo’l‘.
I

Which may be rendered,“ T he assertor of
the lzberty of E urdpe dedzcates these by y
honours to the gemus (f Brztaz'n.”

Near the eastern angle, a commodious
, and elegant OBSERVATORY has been erected
by the present Duke, amply furnished with
the best astronomical apparatus, by the
justly celebrated Ramsden. A grand tele-
scope by Herschel], presented to the Duke
by his Majesty, soon after the royal visit to
Blenheim in 1786, and now in the library,
may be reckoned a very valuable appendage.
Another corresponding Observatory is also.
fitted up at the western angle.

The apartments of this Palace are fur-

* Though this inscription has but one obvious, and can have but
one consistent meaning, ithas nevertheless been tortured into various;
and the sentence without averb, has been the alternate stumbling
block of real ignorance and false criticism; no authorities can avail
the former; the latter may be convinced of its propriety, by referring
to .

L IENEAs mac m: DANAIS Vrcronravs ARMA.

AeHNAIor Ano MHAQN KAI eHBAmN. ‘

and to other instances of a similar mode of expression, from sources
of unquestionable purity.

   

 

 

24-. DESCEIPTION 'OF BLENHEIM.

nished with princely magnificence? thé

tapestry and paintings attract univerSal and
_ i ,- deserved attention 3 but as it is impossible
to. do them adequate justice in any general
description, we shall conduct our readers
through the grand suite of rooms usually
open, to public inspection, in the order in
which they are shewn, and enumerate the 9"
most celebrated productions of art in each.

Here PAINT’I’NG shews the wonders of her art,
Gains on the sense, and captivates the heart;
From. mimic pencils. new creations rise,

Start into life, and wear its native dyes;
Bold as the ferm PROMETHEUS taught to move, ;
When Heaven’s. dread lightning he withdrew from J oan

Here BRUSSEL’S looms their boasted skill display,

And tapestry armies stand in long array.

The vivid tints with war’s dread horrors burn:

Here, Grief and Shame—there, Rage and Fury turn ;1
The lengthen’d march—the ramparts rise to sight;
And all the kindling glories of the fight;

 

Hail, ye great artists, whose enchanting ‘skill’ _ .
Can mould the passions, and control the will : , ‘ 2%
Not to the eye your labours, are address‘d,—-— - ‘ 3:
They boast an influence o’er the ductile breast ;. V
For while, entranc’d, each happy touch we View,
The MORAL SENSE. becomes reform’d by you:
Beauty and order, harmony and ease,

Unite to polish, as they tend to please ,3

 

 

PAINTINGS, &c. 25
I. HALL. . ' ‘ a ’

Through a superb portico, on massy‘
Corinthian columns of elegance and dimen- .
sions almost unrivalled, we enter the HALL,
a grand and finely proportioned apartment,
which lies in the centre of ’the north, or
grand front: this is also supported by fluted
Corinthian I pillars. The ceiling, which is
the height of the building, or sixty-seven
. feet, is painted by Sir James Thornhill,
and allegorically represents VICTORY, with
proper accompaniments, crowning JOHN
DUKE Of MARLBOROUGH, as she points to a
plan Of the battle - of BLENHEIM. The
Duke is depicted in a blue Roman dress.
Over the noble marble doOr-case that com-
municates with the Saloon, is a bust of the
same hero, with this inscription. . ‘

ECCE‘VIRUM STABILES cur GENS AUGUSTA PENATES

cur PRACTAS TANDEM GALLIA DEBET OPES.

mc vamasm ANGLIACIE varn'ru'rr INSTAURAT HONOREM
um mas CONSILIO, snu srr AGENDA MANU.

NON ANIMO AUGUSTUS MELIOR NON JULIUS ARMIS

:EU MULCET GENTES, mm: var. ILLE DOMAT.

I

narrow THE MAN T0 DISTANT NATIONS KNowx, -

wno snoox Tim cAme, mx’n ms AUSTRIAN muons.
NEW “Lus'rnn TO BRITANNIA’S GLORY GAVE; '

1N COUNCILS raUDENT. AS IN ACTION naAvn.

E

 

 

 

I

26 nEscaIrTmN or BLENHEIM;

iro'r JULIUS MORE IN ARMS ms‘ri’xovrsu’n SHIN’D,‘
um couim AUéusriJs BETTER CALM MAKKIND.

'In the gallery aboVe, 0n the same's-idef
may be seen whole length portraits of Clara
Eugenia, Infanta of Spain, and governess
of the Net/zerlands;——-of Queen Anne, by
Mr.- Lily; and of a lady in a blue dress, by-
an. unknown master. A large collection of -
family portraits occupy the same gallery,
which runs the Whole extent of the house,
Below, in niches near the angles, are the
MEDICEAN VENUS, and the DANCING FAWN,
invbronze, from the originals in the Grand-
Duke of Tuscany’s collection, and executed?
with inimitable skill, by Maximilian Sol-r
daniBenzi, at Florence, in 1711.- g

The arcades on the right and left are
adorned with marble TERMINI. Below, on
a black marble slab,“ stands a fine antique
DIANA and DOG; and exactly opposite, on.
a similar slab, is a beautiful VASE with
'figures in reIievo, from the antique, Sup-'-
posed to represent the nuptial ceremonies-
of the Romans. 1

Over the grand stair-case is a large
picture, by Hudson, of Charles Duke of
Marlborough and Family; and beyond the

 

 

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PAINTINGS, 6m. 27

arcades, on the other side of the hall, the
first Duke and Family are delineated by the
pencil of Closterman.

II. BOW+WINDOW ROOM.

'From the hall, we A proceed along a gal-
‘lery to the bow—windowproom. The‘famous
battle of BLENHEIM is pourtrayed in the
tapestry on the right at entrance, and roc-
cupies a considerable Space, The principal
' action is confined to the taking of Marshal
Tallard. The battle of WYNENDAEL is re»
presented in the tapestry on the left.

Over the first door is St. Jerome study.-
ing, very fine, by Giorgioni. Over the
chimney, a most capital original picture,
by Raphael, of the Virgin and child, St..-
John and St, Nicholas, formerly belonging
to the Capella degli Ansidei at Perrugia.

’ On a pannel to the right.

A fine Head after Han. Caracci, by Sir
Joshua Reynolds, 1

A Head of Lady Anne Churchill, by Sir
Godfrey Kneller.

A small picture of the Assumption, by

Tintoret.
E 2

 

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' 2

 

 

2’8 ' - DEscaii’TION or BLENHEIM.

A female Head, by Reubens.

Two Monkies 1n the habits of Monks, by
Teniers.

A Madona and Child, by Leonardo da

‘ Vinci.

Over the second door are two Nymphs:
by an uncertain master. '

Between tWo beautiful fluted Corinthian
pillars, another portrait of Lady Anne '
Churchill, by Knel—ler.

A small pendent cabinet, with a miniaw

liture Painting, by Lady Clifden.

On the nextpamzel.

A man’s Head, in the finest stile, by
Titian. _
A beautiful etching of a Wood Nymph,

by the Princess Royal, given to her Grace

the Duchess of Marlborough, by her Royal
Highness,n now Queen of Wirtemburg.

An allegorical original Drawing, by Ci-
priani, intended as a frontispiece to the
second Volume of the Gemmae Marl- I
burienses. '

Between the opposite pz'llaw.

A portrait of Prince Eugene.

 

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PAINTINGS, &c. 29

An elegant engraving of the Marquis. of
Tavistock, father to5the present Duke of
I . Bedford, by Watson. ' '

‘ 0n the next pannel.

Aman’s Head, unknown, by Holbein.

An etching by the Princess Royal.

An original Drawing, by Cipriani,—the
frontispiece to the first volume of the
Gemmae Marlburienses: the subject from
Pliny’s Nat. Hist.

Over the third door, a Battle Piece, by
Wovermans.

The cielin g is painted/in a novel. style of
simple elegance, and adorned with military
emblems, by Hakewill. The windOW cur-
tains and furniture are blue silk damask.
Under the mirrors that adorn the pannels
between the windows, are two marble slabs,
on each of which is a sleeping'figure, very
expressively sculptured in white marble.
At the other end of the room are twoiele-
gant cabinets. A

III. DUKE’s DRESSING ROOM.
The decorations of this apartment are
rather elegant than splendid; the hangings
are straw-coloured flock paper, with a rich
border; the furniture is Chintz.

 

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30 DESCRIPTION or" BLENHEIM.

The paintings are: ,,
I. *1. Venus and Adonis, by an uncere-
tain artist; a Magdalen, by young Palmer;
-—-our Saviour in the Virgin’s lap, crowning
two female Martyrs, by Titian ;-—-—St. Marl:

‘ penningvhis Gospel, by old Palma.

2. Inside View of a Church, bySteen-
wyck; ——-a Prospect of a Spanish Sea Port,
by 'Weenix; the Destruction of Pharaoh
and his Host in the Red Sea, by old Frank.

H. 1. Two Beggar Boys, very charac-
teristic, by Murillio;—-—Estheri and Aha-
suerus, by Paul VerOnese gas-three Beggar
Boys, by Murillio, ,

‘III. 1'. A Holy Family, very fine by
Reubens;——-Charles Earl of Sunderland,
by Kneller;———Kihg George I. by an un-
known artist ;———.-A sleeping Venus and Satyr,

With attending Cupidts, from the school of ‘

Reubens,
2. A View ‘of Althorpe, the seat of Earl
Spencer, by Tilleman,

9 The Roman numerals I. II. III. refer to the three sides of the
apartment, beginning at the right on entering : the fourth, and in the
grand cabinet the third likewise, is occupied_by the windows and

, the mirrors. The Arabic characters. 1, 2, express the upper and
‘ lower rows of pictures on the same side, When the arrangement

{would not suffer this easy mode of distinction and recollection, the,
figures are omitted. ‘

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PAINTINGS, 8w. , ' 31’

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Over the chimney are two antique metal '
jars. Under the mirror, a pair ’of elegant
globes, by Adams. On the opposite side 'of
the room, a bookcase, containing some va~
luable publications, chiefly modern, among
which are the GEMM/E MARLBURIENSES
QUEDAM, a work of inestimable value.

IV. EAST DRAWING ROOM.

The hangings and furniture crimson da—
mask; the ceiling a'slight plain dome, of
. an oval shape; the chimney-piece is com-
posed of the richest veined marble. Many
0f. the paintings are very capital.

I. 1. A Holy Family, supposed by Ran
phael;—-—~the Marchioness de Havre—the
Duchess of Buckingham and ofl'spring;—e
Mary of Medicis; all by Vandyke.

2. An oval portrait of King William III.
by Sir Godfrey Kneller 5 Death of wthe Virgin
Mary, by Guido ;——-A Holy Family, by
Vandyke ;—-—the Annunciation, by Corregio;
—-—’an oval portrait of Lady Chesterfield, by
Vandyke.

II. 1. Philip II. King of Spain, a whole
length, by Titian ;——~a most capital and
strikingly Characteristic .BACCHANALIAN
PIECE, by Reubens g—Andromeda chained
to the Rock, by the same.

 

 

 

 

32' V DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM. ’ .

‘2. The Offering of the Magi, by Reubens;
-—-a French Camp, by Watteau ;-——a small

3/34.;-

pendent Cabinet, with miniatures of they

~ present Family ;-———two small landscapes, by
a French artist g—Cattle, by Rosa di Tivoli;
two corresponding small Landscapes, as
before ;-—another corresponding Cabinet,
inclosing miniatures ;—-a Landscape by Paul

Brylle.

III. 1. A charmingly eXpressiVe picture,

i by Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing Lady
Charlotte Spencer, in the character of a.
Gipsey, telling her brother, Lord Henry,
his fortune g—Reubens, Wife, and Child,
b‘y'Reubens, a present to the first Duke,
by the city of Brussels. Charles I; by,
Vandyke; a Holy Family, supposed by
Raphael, in his earliest style of painting,
a present from the town of Ghent.

2. Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I.

by Vandykeg—an Angel, small, by Corre- _

gio;—-—Cattle and Figures, by Wovermans;

———a"Landscape, small, by Claude Lorrain ;.—- 7

a broad Day-break, very fine, by Vander-
meer. ,
V. GRAND CABINET.

This magnificent apartment opens to the
east and south, and commands the most

 

 

PAINTINGS, 8m. 33

charming scenery. The hangings and fur—
niture are rich crimson damask, with g1ld1n g
of corresponding splendor: the cornice, in
particular, is extremely elegant; and in
the centre of. the Ceiling is a large. circular
gilt plume. The chimney-piece is com~
posed of dark-colouied marble, inlaid with
white, in ornamental festoons, with an
urn, projecting in relievo, which has, a
delightful effect; over it stand the listening
Slave, and a crouching Venus in bronze,
and between them two very curious jars.
The paintings are some of the most su-

, perb in any collection, particularly those of.

Reubens, of whose Works there is an un-
rivalled assemblage 1n Blenheim.

I. 1. A Holy Family, by Reubens;——
a Madona standing on a globe, surrounded
by Angels, by Carlo Maratti ;——the Ofiering
of the Magi, by Reubens.

2. A most capital and sweetly-composed ,

picture of our Saviour blessing the Chill-

dren, by Reubens. V

, II. 1. Filial Affection exemplified in

the Roman Daughter, by Reubens;-——the

Return of our Saviour from, Egypt, by

Reubens g—Lot’s Departure out of Sodom,
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’34 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

by Reubens, a present from the town of
Antwerp. _

2. Portrait of Paracelsus, by Reubens;
h—a Madona, her head encircled with stars,
supposed the Miraculous Conception, in
the finest stile, by Carlo Dolce-‘—~the ex-

‘ tended. hand is inimitable—the \tints are

those. of life itself ;—-Raphael’s favourite

‘ Dorothea, by himselfg—Head of Reubens,

by the same g—ePope Gregory, and a F e-
male Penitent bearing a palm branch, by
Titian; a Holy Family, by Ludovico Caracci.

VI. BLUE DRAWING ROOM.

_ The hangings are blue damask, with ora
namental gilt bordures: the furniture cora'
responding. The head in theicentre of the
chimney is a delicate piece of sculpture;
the whole is exquisitely finished in white
marble. The large gilt branches on each
Side, above, are peculiarly, elegant. '

The paintings are : ,
I. 1. Isaac blessinngacob, by Rem-

.brandt ;———an oval in claro obscure, very ex-
pressive, from an ancient gem, by Rebecca;

II. 1. Catharine of Medicis, in colours,
almost inimitable, by Reubens ;-~Time

,

 

 

PAINTINGS, &c. 35

clipping Cupid’s ~Wings, an allegorical
painting, by Vandyke; William Marquis
of Blandford, by SirGodfrey Kneller.

2. A Landscape, by Vandermeergwa
Dutch Family, by ‘Ostade; a Landscape,
by Gaspard Poussin ;—Dorothy Countess
of Sunderland, painted by Vandyke, and
immortalized by Waller, under the name
of SACHARISSA;-—-another Landscape, by
\ Gaspard Poussin ;--a small highly finished .
' Family Piece, by Gonzales ;-—.-a beautiful
little Landscape, by Wovermans.

III. 1. Ladies Caroline and Elizabeth
Spencer, by Romney; the latter is repre-
sented as playing on her- harp, the fom‘ner
in the act of taking a sketch of her sister ;—--
on the right of which are two Heads of
young Women, by Paul Veronese 5-1401;
the left our Saviour and St. John, by Carlo
Dolce ;-—the Woman taken in Adultery,
. by Rembrandt.

2, Our Saviour and the Virgin in the
clouds, with a Monk paying adoration, by
Hannibal Caracci;--—our Saviour and the
Virgin in the clouds, with accompaniments,
by Tintoretg—a brilliant collection, in-
closed in one general frame, covered with
glass, of twentywthree miniatures of difs

F 2

 

 

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36 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM. '

ferent Imagnit’udes, by various maSters,
among which are three of the beautiful and
unfortunate MARY QUEEN of SCOTS ;——a."
Holy Family, by \ Ludovico Caracci ;—--
Cattle and Figures, by Bambocchio.

VII. WINTER DRAWING ROOM.

The tapestry hangings of this apartment
represent the four CARDINAL VIRTUES,
with their characteristic emblems and ac-
companiments; and ”in Vivid beauty of co-
louring they approach nearer to painting
than any thing of the same kind in Blen-
heim. " '

V I. FORTITUDE, with proper insignia. The
man wrenching Open the lion’s jaws is, ex-
tremely expressive.

II. On one side of the chimney, PRU-
DENCE, holding a mirror in her left hand,

.in the action of viewing the conduct of.

others, that she may be the better able to
regulate her own : in the right, a dart en~
twined with a remora, the respective em-
blems of speed and delay, between which
Prudence observes a middle course.

On the other side of the chimney, J US-r
TICE, with her balance and sword, and

' other distinguishing characteristics.

 

 

\

PAINTINGS, 8w. ¥ 37

III. rTE-MPERANC‘E, with her curb. The
River God pouring water out of his urn,
is finely imagined, and attracts thenotice
of every spectato1.

The only paintings are, a most animated
one of Lord Stafi'ordand his Secretary, (of
which there are twoothers in this kingdom,
all reputed originals) over the first doors—-
a very beautiful portrait of Mary Duchess
of Richmond, withalittle girl presenting
her gloves, over the chimney; and portraits
in one piece of Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Kil-
' ligrew, two of Charles II.’s favourites, over
the other door : all by Vandyke.

In the centre of the very elegant chim-
ney-piece, formed of the richest marbles,
is an alto relievo of Cupid and Psyche’s
Marriage, from the antique; A notification
is engraved in Greek characters, signifying
that Tryphon executed the original. Over
this are two Centaurs 1n bionze, and two
beautiful unis of Derbyshire spar.

In this room also are small bronzes of
Cupids, and of Hercules Aklllmg the Cen-
taurs. AThe mirrors are singularly superb.

VIII. DINING ROOM.

This" apartment is well adapted for its

 

 

38’ nascmpr‘lou or BLENHEIM.

destination, being large, lofty, and com-
lmodiously situated, near the centre of the
palace. The ceiling is richly stuccoed,
and the sides are wainscotted’ in large pans
nels, painted white. The chimney-piece-
‘ is peculiarly handsome : it supports an ele-i-
gant clock, mounted on an elephant, in
bronze, and crowned with an American
Indian.

The productions of the pencil are :

I. l. Cattle and Figures, in avery ca-
pital stile, by Castiglione ;——a Bacchanalian
" Piece, by Vandyke. V
II. 1. Lot and his Daughters, very fine,
‘ by Reubens, a present from the Emperor
of Germanyg—Henrietta Maria, Queen of
Charles Lby Vandyke g—Venus and Adonis,
by Reubens, another present from the Em-
peror,

III. The present DUKE, DUCHESS, and
SIX CHILDREN Ladies Caroline, Eliza.
,beth, Charlotte, and Anne ;—-—the Marquis
of Blandford, and Lord Henry: the two
youngest, LORD FRANCIS and LADY AMELIA,
were born since this very capital picture
(which cost‘seven hundred lguineas) was
painted, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. This

 

 

PAINTINGS, &c. .39

eminent artist is supposed to have vied
with Van dyke in his‘celebrated family piece
at Wilton House, and to have excelled,
him, as far as grouping and character are
concerned in the design—The Rape of
Europa, by Paul Veronese.

On the pannels near the windows, at
each end, are three small LandsCapes, by
Wootton.

IX. SALOON.

This noble and spacious apartment, which

‘ communicates with the Hall, and together
with it occupies the entire breadth of the

Centre, is highly finished, and richly de-
cOrated.—-It is lined in the lower part with
marble, in the Italian taste, and its four
door-cases are entirely composed of the
same beautiful and durable material. Over
each door, which face the four quarters,
are the arms of thelfirst duke. Above the
marble basement are six compartments, in
which different nations of the world are
depicted in their characteristic dresses and
contours, by La Guerre. These, however,
are rather individual caricatures than na-
tural delineations : they are shewn in the
following manner, and said to represent,

 

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.40 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

I. The Painter,-—-—*French,—uEnglish*,
and Scotch.
II. Spaniards.
III. Moors and Negroes.
IV. Chinese and Tartars.
V. Turks. ' .
VI. Dutch and Swedes.
The ceiling is the height of the building.
and is executed by the same artist with pea-

kculiar felicity, both in design and per—

formance. It emhlematically represents
JOHN DUKE of MARLBOROUGH in the career
of victory, arrested by the hand of PEACE,
while TIME reminds him of the rapidity of
his own flight. *-

Over the first chimney stands an antique
bust of a Roman Consul ;——and at the same
end of the room, a marble slab, on which
lies a finely sculptured Sleeping Venus.

Over the second chimney is an antique
bust of Caracalla ;———and on, another marble
slab, Cleopatra and the Asp.

X. GREEN DRAWING ROOM. -
It is hung with tapestry, representing,

" The Portrait of the Englishman, which possesses much rubicun-
dity and portliness, is believed to represent Dean Jones, Chaplain to

. Sarah Duchess of Marlborough.

 

. PAIN'i‘INGs‘, 8nd. 41
in vivid colours, some of the military e1:-
pIoits of John Duke of Marlbcirough.

I. Battle of Dunnev‘vert

II. The Battle of Lisle, on the right of
the chimney ;-Sie'ge of Lisle,- 011 the left.
The French Spy is very expressively de-
lineated.

III. Battle of Malplaque’t; The eagei‘
attention of the person receiving orders is
_ admirably drawn.

Over the first dom is a charming por3
trait of a young Knight of St. John of
Jerusalem; by Barroccio ;~—':over the oppoa-
site door, a very masterly painting of Mea
leager arid Atalanta, by Reubens.

On a pannel near the first window on e116
'tering, is the Adoration of the Shepherds;
by Lucca Giordano.

A Madona and Child, by Nicholas Pause
sin.

Figures encircled with a wreath of flowers,-
‘hy Rottenhammer.

0n the opposite pannel.

The offering of the Magi, hy Lucci
Giordano. V

A Holy Family, by NichOlas Pmissin.

F 1gures encircled with a wreath of flowere,

by Rottenhammer.
G

 

 

 

42 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

.. A beautiful and curious Clock on anew
construction, by jVulliamy, stands on the
chimney-piece. A Serpent bending down
its head from the tOp of a small urn, roundé
which the hburs are arranged, points out
the time With its sting; and on the same
urn, an elegant figure 23of CONTEMPLATION
leaning, giVes the whole a singular and.
rather monumental air. On each side are
Boys’ Gambols, in bronze.

. Above, is a highly finished and very at-

tractive picture of her Grace the DUCHESS

of MARLBOROUGH, in an elegant white dress,
by Romney.

On the marble slabs under the windows,
are bronzes of Fame and Mercury, mounted
on. Pegasi.

The curtains, sofas, and other furniture,

are deep green damask, of great richness ‘

and beauty.

XI. STATE DRAWING ROOM.

 

This apartment has been recently dedo- *

rated, and furnished with the utmost mag-

nificence. The ceiling is elegant, —-the

cornice richlyg ilt ,——and the bordure round

_ the room is in a corresponding stile. The

mirrors are almest unrivalled 111 the super-

 

PAINTINGS, &c. _ 43‘

lative elegance of their frames ;~ the mag-
nitude of their plates is likewise very c0n-
siderable. .

The chimney is composed of the purest ',
White marble: it is adorned with a small
central urn, supported by two griffins; ,
these, likewise, are part of the embellish-
ments of the mirrors: they belong to the
family arms. The marble slabs arevpro-
portionate to the splendor 'of the rest. A
highly finished cabinet at the lower end
supportsa zi'ich lustre. The curtains and
furniture are white damask.

One of the principal ornaments, however,
of the room, is a superb picture of his
Grace the DUKE of MARLBOROUGH, in his
garter robes, by Romney: it is placed
over the chimney. From this beautiful
painting, Jones has executed a very happy
mezzotinto: another of the Duchess from
Romney’s Painting, in the last described
apartment, has likewise been finished by
«the same artist. '

The tapestry is a continuation of the first
Duke’s atchievements.

I. and II. The March to Bouchain.

II. and III. the. Siege of Bouchain. In
this piece, Lord Cadogan’s Dog, which.

132

 

g
i:

 

Q74. . nascmr'rionor BLENHEIM.

attended his master through the campaigns,

and returned safe, makes a conspicuous
figure.

Over the first door is a Fruit Piece, by

. Lucca Giordano. .

Over the opposite door, St. Laurence
distributing the ornaments of the altar, by
II Prete Genoese. .

XII. STATE BED- CHAMBER.

In a palace there must be apartments

- for pomp as well as for; utility , this is one

of the former, and very splendid of the
kind. The furniture and hangings are rich
blue damask, interlaced with gold. The
bed- -posts ale elegantly fluted, and covered
With burnished gold: their extremities
adorned with military emblems, The top
rises into a dome, surmounted with a,
ducal coronets at the head. are the family
arms.

The chimney-:piece is decorated with
bronzes of Hercules killing the Centaurs
and the Hydra g-ébetween these is a bust
of Diana—~bver it is a capital picture, by
Lucca Giordano, representing Seneca bleeds
ing to death, while with philosophic corn:
posure he dictates to his amanuens1s.

PAINTINGS, étc, 45

On a pannel to the right Is a fine poitrait
of Edward VI. by Holbein.

A View of ArChitecture, by Panini,

The burning of Troy, by Old Frank.

Oyer each door 1s a piece of still life, by
Maltese.

From this stately suite of rooms, where
the profusion of splendid objects 18 apt to
' dazzle the organs of sight, the ey e is both
1: harmed and relieved on entering,

XIII- THE LIBRARY:

This very spacious apartment, which 081'
\cupies the entire West Front, is upwards of
.one hundred and eightyf-three feet. long}
and is thirty-nne feet nine inches wide in
the centre. 1 «

[It is impossible to conceive any thing
more superb than the solid columns of
veined marble Which support a rich enta-
blature, the Doric pilasters of the same,
the surrounding basement of black marble,
and the stuccoed compartments of the lofty
yaulted cieling, which open a fine field for
the pencil of the firstmaster’ in the pictorial
art- , "
This noble room was originally intended
as a gallery for paintings; but has since

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4‘6 _ DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

been furniShed with the grand SUNDERLAND

collection of books, comprising upwards of
seventeen thousand volumes, in various
languages, arts, and scienCes; all arranged
in. elegant cases, with gilt Wire latticed
doors, on the east side through its whole
extent, and along the two ends.

Few private collections are equal to this
in value, the Whole being reckoned worth
30,000 pounds; yet this is not the only
library in the palace, nor does it contain
more than its proportion of rare and curious
books.‘ The SPENCER family indeed, in all
its branches, is distinguished for its literary
taste, and the magnificence and extent of
its literary treasures.

_At the upper end of the library stands a
highly finished white marble statue of
QUEEN ANNE, in her coronation robes,
by Rygsbrack on the pedestal is this in—:

Scription:
- TO THE MEMORY or QUEEN ANNE!
UNDER WHOSE AUSPICES
JOHN DUKE 0F MARLBOROUGH
CQNQUERED,
_ AND TO WHOSE MUNIFICENCE
HE AND HIS POSTERITY
. WITH GRATITUDE I
own THE POSSESSION OF BLENHEIM
a. 1). MDccxxvz.

_ a”. 2y 5‘ g ,
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PAINTINGS, 8w. - 47

In a recess on the west side, is an antique
statue, inscribed JULIA DOMNA ;—-—and lower
down, another of DIANA and DOG, both on
mahogany therms.

At the lower end is a bust of ALEXANDER
the GREAT; a fine specimen of Grecian
sculpture, in good preservation, dug out of
the ruins of Herculaneum; and supported ‘
by an elegant modern therm, designed by
Sir William Chambers.

Over the book-cases on the east side, are
the subsequent paintings and sculptures.

Lord Godolphin.-
Duke of Montague.

Above the first chimney, a bust of Charles
Earl of Sunderland, the collector of the
booksz—below this, a sea pieceof Jonah
and the Whale, after Poussin :—--and on the
chimney, a bust of the Emperor Adrian.

Countess of Sunderland.-
Countess of Bridgewater.

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Countess Cowper.
Hon. John Spencer.

Over the grand marble door-case com-
municating with the hall, a bust of Milo
Crotonensis.

Elizabeth Duchess of Marlborough.
Charles Duke of Marlborough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48 - , fiESCRIPTIoNQF BLENHEIM.

Sarah Duchess of Marlborough.
John Duke of Marlborough

Over the second chimney, a Girl’s Head;
antique—A Landscape, after Poussin;
above, ahust of Charles Duke of Marlbo-s
rough, b3 Rysbrack.

Queen Anne,
’ King William,

From the noble bow-“windows 0n the“
west, is an e13 sian prospect of the beauti-r
fully waving descent to the lake, and of
the pendent groves on the Opposite hill
Indeed every apartment has its appropriate
beauties, both internal and external: the
eye of taste will recognize many which the
brevity of our plan prevented us from:
noting; to the more cursory observer‘this
description will prove an useful monitor,
One striking ornament,- however, we have
neglected to remark: the MAHOGANY"
DOORS throughout this Whole suite are
splendidly finished, and are worthy of the
apartments to which they conduct; When
open, they form a magnificent vista from
the. Library'to the Grand Cabinet.

XIV. CHAPEL

From the library we proceed along a.

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PAINTINGS, 8cm 4.9

piazza, with arcades below, to the Chapel,
situated in the western wing of the palace.
The coup, d’ceil On entering is extremely
grand, and the impression such as corre-
sponds with the place. T he style of paint-

ing, and the degree of light, are both pe- '

éuliarly happy i. the large compartments of
sober gray are finely relieved by the sur-
rounding white; and the shade of foliage
that partially darkens the windov‘vs, difi‘uses
an air of cemposed solemnity, unmixed
with gloom, Una‘CCOmpanied with melan-

choly. ‘

The chief ornament, however, is a stately ,

MONUMENT in various marble, to the
memory of the first Duke and Duchess, by
Rysbra‘ck. They are represented with their
two Sons, Who died young-9*, as supported
by FAME and HISTORY: these are colossal
figures, and being most prominent, are the
most striking in the grOup. The pen of
HISTORY seems to have traced this inscrip-
tion on a tablet, which sheholds in the
- other handr

' The eldest son of the great Duke of Marlborough, John Marquis

of Blandford, died of the small pox, at Cambridge, in the 17th year-v

of his age; and lies buried in one of the aisles of King’s College
Chapel, where a magnificent altar tomb is erected to his memory.

H

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

T0 firm-z MEMORY
or JOHN DUKE 0F MARLBOROUGH AND
HIS TWO SONS
His DUCHESS HAS ERECTED
This MONUMEMT

IN THE YEAR OF CHRIST, MDCCXXXI".

Beneathyis the taking of Marshal Tal-
lard, in basso relievo. Under this, is the
family vault, to which there is an Opening
from the stable—court; .

The altar-piece represents~our Saviour
taking down from the -Cross, by Jordaens
of Antwerp.

' The gallery for the family is splendidly
hung with crimson velvet, fringed with
gold. The cushions are corresponding.
'Over the chimney 1sia curious painting on
black marble, by Alessandro Veronese.

/

TITIAN ROOM.

This apartment adjoins the THEATRE,
near the entrance Of theGardens, and is
ornamented with a. superb collection of
, paintings by TITIAN ; a magnificent present
from Victor Amadeus, King of Sardinia,
to John Duke of Marlborough.

These capital performances of this cele-

 

PAINTINGS, 8m. 51

brated master, after long lying hid frOm
public View, are now liberally displayed,
chiefly, for the sake of amateurs in the
pictorial art. They consist of the follOw~
ing series ‘and are painted on leather.

I. MARS and VENUS.
II. CUPID. and PSYCHE.
III. APOLLO and DAPHNE.»
IV. PLUTo and PROSERPINE.
V. HERCULES and DEJANIRA.
VI. ‘VULCAN and CERES.
VII. BACCHUS and ARIADNE.
VIII. JUPITER, J UNO, and Io.
IX. NEPTUNE and AMPHITRITE.

These figures, which far exceed the size
of nature, though they are little, encum‘
ber'ed with drapery, cover three sides of
the room, and form almost a school of
themselves. It has been remarked, how—
ever, that Titian is not happy in expressing
female beauty, though he had goddesses to
delineate. Indeed, his taste in design is
by no means equal to the spirit of his execu-y
tion and the beauty of his colouring. i

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52‘, DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

CHINA GALLERYr.

-THLS elegant fabric, erected purposely
for the reception of the superb collection

‘of porcelain now deposited here, stands

close to the HOME LODGE, and is separated.
from the Park by iron palisadoes.

It was fitted 11p in .the year 1796; and
presents an additional . attractiOn to the
visitors of Blenheim, who delight in the
antique, rich, and curious specimens of the
porcelain, delf, and japan manufacture,

But it is not the connoisseur only,who
Will be gratified by this disPIayg—s—no eye
of taste’can fail to receive satisfaction from
the sight of this splendid collection; nor
will the arrangement pass unregarded by
the most superficial observer.

The gallery, whose external figure res.—
presents a cross, is divided into five com-.-
partments.

The two rooms at each end are fitted up
in an octagonal form, and lighted from the
top, with the porcelain regularly arranged
on slight pilasters, or fancifully suspended

"" This choice collection was formed by a 'Mr. Spalding, during his
' travels for several years on the Continent, as well as his attendance

on sales in this country, and was presented by him, on certain cone
ditions, as an appendant to Blenheim.

CHINA GALLERY. 53

by brass hooks, against the walls. The

centre room, which occupies the transverse

of the cross, is circular, and has a light in
the form of a domerin the middle, and a ,
smaller one. on each side. This apartment
is particularly magnificent. Round the
walls are ten pannels and twelve. pilasters,
filled with choice specimens; and at a
proper distance in the area, are eight pila'se-
tersand six open stands, with a pyramidal
pagoda in the centre, Supporting many
pieces ofsingular value or beauty.

The whole gallery may be seen at the
first entry; and, from the reflected light,
the distribution of parts, and the splendor
of the materials, which are here displayed to
the greatest advantage, it may not inaptly
be compared to the {fanciful descriptions of
enchanted palaces, in ‘poesy and romance.

This assemblage of [ancient porcelain
consists of any/immense quantity of both
useful and ornamental articles, in every
species of that elegant manufacture, from
the earliest ages till the art is' said to have
been lost. Some specimens exhibit its im
fant state, which, according to the Abbé
Rayn-al, in his History of the Indies, may
be reasonably supposed to be three thousand

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54 , bsscmprion OF BLENHEIMV.

years ago. The remote antiquity of these

may be inferred, {from the rudeness of the

designs, and the imperfect crackled ap-

pearance of the baking. It is long before

art can be brought to any degree of per-

\ fection'. To glaze and bake in the high '
stile of many pieces in this collection, must.

have required reiterated attempts, and. the

e’xperienCe of years—perhaps of ages.

' Among other varieties, are many of the:
choices-t pieces of the old blue and white,
and pale japan brown edge, so much esteem-

_‘ ed by the curious. Likewise a numerous
assortment of those very scarce and valuable
sorts, the antique blew celes‘te, and deep

i purple. _ ,

' ’It is impossible, however, to enter into
a minute description 0f articles so various
and extensive; but we cannot refrain from
particularizing a few, and enumerating the
principal sources from which theyiwere
drawn, by the ingenious and indefatigable

. Collector.

Among many other pieces deserving at~
tention, are a pairof small bottles, once"

i _ the property of Queen Anne-A large japan

tea—pot, a present from Louis XIV. to the
Duke of RichelieuwTwo smaller ones from—,7

 

cumA GALLERY. 55

the “Collection cf the Duke of Orleans,
father to 'Egalité-——Some pieces from the
late Princess Amelia’s Cabinet—Many from
the Portland Museum, and from the cele-
brated collection of the Duke d’..Aumont at
Paris A singular piece from the Duke of
Argyle’s curiosities. in the former‘reign-—-
Several articles from the late Duchess of
Kingston’s—~ff0m Selim-a, Countess of Hun-

 

tingdon’sé-‘from M. Calonne’s—-—and My

Beaumarc'hais’ . Collections. Five orna-
mental pieces, presented by a Nabob to a
Governor of Bengal, in the reign of Wil-
liam III. possess uncommon beauty. A
large white tea-pot, once in the possession
of Oliver Cromwell will be deemed a cu-
riosity; and it is not uninteresting to ob.-
serve the different forms of the tea-pots In
general 1n this gallery, the metamorphoses
they have undergone, and their variations
from the present prevailing shape.——-Two
pieces of jasper China, somewhat resem-
bling shells, are remarkably beautiful and
rare, as are several of that scarce sort,
called honeycomb. It should also be ob—
served, that some specimens are unique in
their kind. .

A, collateral room, adjoiningthe [en-

1 , 1.x ‘~ ,7. .. 4‘»- '- ...-~ agasww "

i 5: 1‘>"‘*.~Lr.>;
, , .1 . ,

 

 

 

 

56 DESCRIPTION \OF-BLENHEIM.

trance to the gallery, is filled with Scarce,
and elegant specimens of Roman, and old
earthen ware, too numerous to mentiOn.
A delf jar of the latter kind was evidently

. fabricated, long before the Dutch threw off

the Spanish yOIie, as appears from" the
dress. of the figui'es—é-But one of the most
singular curiosities, is a small piece repres-
senting a fish, which was brought from
Athens, and is supposed to be oceval with
that celebrated republic.

In this apartment, likewise, is a small
select collection of'the finest old black and
gold wooden japan ;———and a numerous and
beautiful assortment of old copper enamels
of the, black and white kind, and also in
various colours, on subjects both sacred and
profane, seme of them not unworthy of the

' pencil of Raphael.

These slight notices may suffice to shew
the value and extent of this collection. The
curious, and real amateurs,will satisfy them?—

" selves as to its peculiar merits.

GARDENS.

THE gardens, or pleasure grounds, oc- ,
cupy an area of two hundred acres, and
upwards. 011 part of the north, and the

 

‘ ’ GARDENS; 51“

east side, they are surrounded. by a sunk
fence, which, without breaking the gran-
deur of the scene, serves to separate the.
parts that compose it. d On the west side,
they make a bold descent to the lake, which
falling over a rocky barrier of considerable
height at the south-west angle, formed
likewise. the southern boundary, before the
more recent additions .of a considerable
portion of the adjoining vale, and of the
. face of the opposite hill. Nature, indeed,
seems to have placed this fine chain, which
‘ describes the figure of a bow on the west
and south of the river, as the only regular
termination of the pleasure grounds, and
the line of demarcation between them and
the park. The lofty umbrageous trees,
which cover its side and brow, form a noble

back-ground, and give an unity and finish

to the scene. The features of the vale,
likewise, through which the river winds,
from the cascade as far as the new bridge,
entirely correspond with the rest of the
picture: art might heighten them, but
nature could not have been more propi-
tious; they invite embellishment from the
facility with which it might be applied.
Or may it not be an effect of the justest

I \_

 

 

 

58 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM,

taste, to render the transition from the
more ornamental style of the garden to‘the
first shades of ”the ruder majesty of the
park, So 'very imperceptible, that the eye,
at a small distance, cannot determine where '
the one commences and the ether fiends“?
,In animate nature, the close alliance be:-
tWeen the last genus of one class and the
first of another, has "been ever considered
as an instance of 'b‘eau‘t‘eOns design and
harmonious -"co“nnection ; and why may not
the same hold good in inanimate objects?
The just gradation of tints, and the easy
blending of "colours, ’are indiSputably re-
_ quisite 'to~ the compositiOn of a perfect
whOle! _

The usnal entrance i‘nt’ot’ne Gardens is
*a little to the left of the’e’astern’gate of
i"BIEENH'EIM, the‘usual approach. The EAST ‘
tFRO NT [first salutes the View,———a "chaste and
elegant piece’of architecwre, ”witha large ,
‘pmje’cting bow in the “centre: before it
“spreads a'Cheerful'lawn of an oblong form, .
extending a considerable Way into the
‘park; at {first fringed With lilit‘tle clumps of
'*evergreen‘s, encircled ‘and‘interspersed with
flowers and deciduous shrubs: then broken
“by ‘a‘fewScattered'tree's, “whi‘Ch, rising on

\

GARDENS. I ‘ 5-9

different sides of the boundary, efi‘ectually
conceal. it; andafterwards lined-- by stately
trees, that. throw a finely chequered shade
on the verdant sward below, and: ranging in
irregular pomp, preclude stiffness frbm
mingling With beauty.

A walk of pebbly gravely of the most
beautiful» texture and regularity (which
however "prevails in the pleasure-grounds,
and blends. utility with ornament) Winding
to the east, between rising plantations and
’ clumps of trees and shrubs 1n various shape, .
at intervals 15 opened to highly embellished,
lawn; and soon taking an easy bend to the
south, conducts to the

TEMPLE OF HEALTH,
charged with the following elegant and '
loyal inscription, on a highly polished \
marble tablet:

DEO MAXIM-0 CONSERVA'i‘ORI,
ET PROVIDENTUE DIVINZE :~
on MCUPBRATAM cnoecu Tsar-1,1,
REGIS 01mm, PIENTISSIMI-SALUTEM,
' noc MARMOR
esoncws DUX MARLBURIENSIS
'gxrnsro masmsnio, VOTIQUE compos,
u; Amcmon GRATI ANIMI Tssrmomum,
warns, LUBENSQUE DEDICAVIT.
limo SALUTIS nUMANze
mxncctxxxlx.

12‘

" , . e y w-tnfii . ' a ’ .1 ., . . H . _- .

 

 

' 60 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

Over thetablet is a beautiful-medallion of
his Majesty. This structure is adorned;
with Corinthian capitals. It emerges-from
a small thicket, which backs it and deter-
mines its site, and without imposing the
idea of solitude, renders it sufficiently seen
questered. Before we reach this temple,

. the Triumphal Arch and Woodstock Tower

are seen in pleasing perspective. From
hence, the scene gradually changes. Inn
stead of embellished lawn, we become em—
bosomed in trees of venerable majesty.
The’park and gardens seem to unite, or
rather their distinction is lost, The trim.
ness of the walk, and the occasional sight
of evergreens, alone discriminate the latter.

The parts unite,
And strength of shade contends with strength of light

Open grove, at an agreeable distance, on
each side, continues for a considerable space.
The whole ’is a delightful HOME-WALK,
sheltered by the winding of its direction
from every blast: possessing suflicient va-
riety in every part, with an aspect continu-
ally Improvin 0'. 1

From this pleasing route, however, we
are drawn aside to the contemplation of the

 

GARDENS. ‘ 61"

FLOWER GARDEN.

A diverticle from the principal walk, near
an ornamental tripod, inclines to a thick
grove on the right, in which this elysian
spot is placed. In our progress, the trees
form an embowerin g shade ;—--as we enter,—
they range in amphitheatric pride, and pre-
sent a reclining face of foliage, from the
ground to a vast height above, The sud-a
den burst of so much beauty strikes the
, eye: the music of the spray delights the
ear;—the fragrance recreates the other
senses; images of tranquil joy fix their
fairest impressions on the mind; and if they
cannot dilute the remembrance of ills,
lhfiy soothe it into resignation.

See waving woods their aged arms display,
And quivering sun-beams shed a partial day:
Long vistas shooting from the wondering eyes,

. And bloom perennial pour unnu‘mber’d dyes!
See flower-crown’d FLORA spread her lucid train,
And give to BEAUTY all the smiling plain;
While sylvan PAN, amid the shady trees,

Joins in the concert with the swelling breeze;

This wilderness of sweets, which occu.
pies about an acre, is copied from the de-

sign of Madame Pompadour, as originally,
displayed in the gardens of VERSAILLES.

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6,2 nascmprlon or- etENHEIM.

The outline is elegant; the execution
charming; the, accompaniments are judi—
cious. .

In the centre of variously arranged bou-
quets, which the bosom of the earth'sup—
ports, is an- Obelisk of porphyry, surround-
ed with four white marble vases, filled with
annual flowers; on the north is a neat
Temple, properly dedicated to FLORA;
and during the summer months, every
interstice left by the trunks of the sur—
rounding grove is replenished with oranges,
lemons, and. other exotic trees, shrubs,
and plants of the greatest delicacy and the
richest odour, which ranking in natural
progression before the permanent vegeta-
tive tribes, seem also the denizens of the
spot.

Qroves whose rich treesweep odorous gums and balm,
Others whose fruit, burnish’d with golden rind,
Hang amiable, Hesperian fables true,
If true, here only. MILTON.

T here are different outlets through the
grove: but to proceed in the regular torir,
we take that near the south-east angle; and,
after being embosomed in trees for a few;
paces, the scene opens to the left, but soon

i'--~:,.‘ -\ .M _,,.
W 5—47.41, - . that, ._ g

. k

cam) EN-s, ‘ i653

shuts again with aggravated gloom, The
trees become so thick and umbrageous, that

the meridian sun. onlyplays on their tops, '

or permeates an accidental break; ‘The
\sweet smelling lime, the dark cheshut, and
the airy beech, with evergreens below, bear
the chief propdrtion here. All is still——all
is solemn. 'The contrast with the flower
garden is very striking; with the View that
soon opens extremely captivating.

KITCHEN GARDENS.

The Palladian gate, or entrance into. the
KITCHEN GARDENS, appears on the east;
and the eye darts over a cheerful landscape
.to'the south. On this side, the walls of
the kitchen gardens, which are fourteen
'feet high, are concealed by irregular plant'-~
ations of laurels and ether shrubs, thinly
scattered with forest trees. From the gate,
we trace their vast extent, clothed with the

choicest fruit trees; we behold an area of
i eight acres, while four more remain unseen,
furnished with every article of culinary use,
or of elegance in the dessert, and replete
with every requisite appendage fOr bringing
it to pensfection. The HOT HOUSES are
constructed on an excellent principle, and

 

 

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_ _ 64 ’ 7 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

produce the finest pines and grapes. Art

here amply supplies the want of a warmer
f,sky.. The CONSERVATORY occupies an

angle fronting the soutll. - ‘

‘ «.-

1. a ,., 1 I I

Falling into the HOME-WALK at this;
place, the deviation from which has been
previously mentioned, we soon enter the
SHEEP—WALK, which is half a mile in length,
and through its whole extent abounding
with rural imagery. Frequently covered.
with a flock of more than a thousand
sheep, all of the most beautiful and valua-

’ able, and some of the most curious breeds,
this Space, though possessing features. of

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characteristic negligence, is not less rich,
or less animated than the most favourite
spots in the garden.

The open grove winds away to the right,

“a; ‘4'” ., ":1. . :H“: ‘

a.

and on this hand we catch a glimpse of the
south front of the Palace, which is thrown
into. various perspective as we advance. In
other directions we enjoy a picturesque View
7 of Beckley flH‘ill, just peeping over the in-
tervening heights; of VVitham’s lofty woods

 

 

 

, rising to, the summit of Botley, where the
trees range in solitary state 5,, and through

 

GARDENS. ' ’ , 65

the long perspective of a rich champai‘gn,
in which ENSHAM Tower forms a Very con;
spicuous object, when illumined with a
morning sun, the distant WHITE HORSE
Hills are seen to elevate themselves into a

back-ground. Nor are remote pictures

alone attractive'at this hour: the deep
shade that darkens the neighbouring village
of BLADON, is finely contrasted with the
level beams that glance on the water below,
At every changing season of the day, in—
deed, some new beauty is developed, or
the scenes are thrown into a different per—

spective, by ‘ the aid of light and shade. _

The evening sun is: not less prepitious than
the morning, forgiving a brilliant eHect
to, objects, in this delightful perambulation.

Proceeding—in one place, the NEW
BRIDGE, as it is called, appears broken and

ruinous by the bend of a tree that overhangs I

the bank; in another it shews its arches
entire, and even the lower visible reach of
water is seen sparkling through its balus-e
trades; farther. the centre arch alone is
perceptible; and sometimes, the whole is
lost. Such is the effect of grouping and
combining! The lawn is sprinkled with
beautiful groups of trees: the majestic oak,
K

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66 " Descmprion OF BLENHEIM,

With pendent inclination to the stream, is I

the frequent ornament of the slope.
About the middle of this walk, the top

hof HANDBOROUGH Spire, though}, nearly

three miles off, appears emerging from the

bosom of the deep wood beyond the lake;

and close on the right is seen the
"SHEPHERD/"S COT,

a little thatched edifice, composed of the

trunks of trees fancifully arranged, backed
by a clump, and shaded by horse-chesnuts,

in front.
Near this spot, we may pause to contemv,
plate the beauties which the changing scene

.Vdisplays. Nothing can be more picturesque

than BLADON when gilded with’an evening
sun: the battlemented tower, and here and
there the end of- a building, glow with the
crimson of his beams, - or the Window, par-

tially shaded by inteifvening trees, reflects .
them like living fire. CLAUDE would have .

caught the tints with rapture; he would
have combined the objects into a picture ,
and on its effect he might have rested the

7 immortality of his fame?

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GARDENS; ' 67‘
CASCAISE Aid) in ACCOMPANIMENTS’.

. A little beyond the She "phei'd’s Cot is the

first opening of the CASCADE; and for"

some space it forms a prinCipal attraction;
The water seems to burst from the deep

Wood that bounds the head; its course is *‘

totally hid by the bendg‘by the figure of
the banks, and the effect of plantation;
Every step we descend towards thecascade;
- the embellishments thicken; the scene. bee
, comes more illustrious; Groups of abac‘ia,
cedar, poplar; chesn’ut, and beech; deco-’-
=rate the declivity down to the river; and

beyond it, at a proportionate distance, the”!

back-ground, as far as the commencement
cf the new Garden, is adorned with’a pros
fusiOn’ of hawthorns; surmounted by noble
pendent trees, which, stretching round as.
far as the eye can reach, terminate in the.
near horizon. _

But before we Sink into the vale, it Will
not be unp‘lea‘sing to take a retrospective
View of the landscape we are leavingbehind.

The lofty spire of KIDLINGTON church.

seems to‘ belong to the park; the distant
hills formerly observed, are cast into dif-‘t
fererit‘perspecfive; and a. new and Wide:
~ K 2 '

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\

68? DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

range isdisplayed, farther than the natural
Vision can distinguish objects, and till the
blue hills of BUCKINGHAMS’HIRE, close with

i the bounding sky: Among these, ASHRIDG E,

the seat of the Earl of Bridgwater, may
be ascertained in a clear day,

The obelisk of the FOUNTAIN soon peeps
between a little woody island and the eas-
cade; and the grand‘RIVER, Which a few
paces before was invisible, bursts at once
on the eye in a broad sheet, without ap‘
parent continuity or connection. Before
we reach the termination of the sheep-walk,
We lose the cascade on the left; to it, how-
ever, we at last descend, between clumps
and groups of the most luxuriant and deli-

cate trees of various climes, intermixed-

With flowers and shrubs of the utmost fra-~~
grance and beauty. The ground, which at
first is. highest on the left, soon assumes a
determined superiority on the right. It is
thrown into masses with a masterly. hand;
it has received every embellishment that
refined, taste can confer on natural beauty;

'and we enjoy the touch of art, Without
rwaking the idea that revolts at its flaunting?

display.

 

       

GARDENS. i 6‘9 ‘

Here va‘riOus tree‘s compose a chequer’d scene,-
Glowing in gay diversities of green; ,

?here the full stream thro’ intermingling glades,
Shines a bread lake, or falls in loud cascades.

In the Vicinity of the Cascade, Whose
side-s arefinely Shaded, the water is quite
lest above. Even. from the bridge that
fronts it at fifty feet distance, we only see
the fall, without tracing the supply. The
charming reach below» appears in its most
varied features from this bridge, , which
connects the gardens: and when the full
, stream devolves from the rocky barrier, and
bounds from one point to another in foamy
pride with deafening roar, nothing can be
more» grateful to a contemplative mind than
such ~a scene, and. such a situation. i
‘ Down the steep fall devolve the foaming tides,
Unfading verdure clothes th’ aspiring sides.
Emblem of life! where waves on waves arise,
While Horn looks up, and views serener skies,
Where still the troublous sea incessant roars,

And still HOPE flatters, as we eye the shores.~
NEW GARDEN. '

The NEW GARDEN, which we now enter,
though of no very great extent, contains
many beauties peculiar to itself, manv views
:of magnificent and appropriate scenery.

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- T9 fiESC‘RIP‘rIoNor BLENHEIM.

Following the cour‘seof the river orithé
left, "We soon reach NEWFOUND WELL, a;
mineral spring of the 'c'halyheate kind, said
to? possess very active virtues, before they
were weakened by the expansion of the
fake,- WhOSe waters are now supposed to
\mix with it. In the front of a dark clump
rises a pedestal supporting an urn, and from
an aperture in the former gushes the spring;
and being received into an antique bason,»
charged with numerous fancy figures, in
alto relieve, much injured, flows out near‘
the top by the mouths of two lions, and
quickly miXes with the river. Again we"
have a view of the New Bridge, and of a’
' serpentine reach of water,- embracing the
, island, and gliding on with glassy smooths-
mess. ‘The \
FOUNTAIN

next attracts oilr notice.

There River-Gods re’cliri’d, at ease explore

A scene more lovely than their native share 5"

Confess HESPERIA boasts no charms that vie

With the bright landscapes which around them ire;

it is situated at the bottom of the hill",
,. and forms an object. not‘unworthy of its
place anddestinatiom In the centre of an

GARDENS. ‘ " 71~

elegant capacious ‘ bason, “where marble
dolphins. seem to sport, stands the base,
formed of a species of, porous stone, p‘er'e
meable by the water, and ‘thrown together»
in rude pomp, with a cavern from east to.

west, from which appear to issue a lion and. ,

a seas-horse, the attributes of Europe and,
Africa, finely designed. ' V '

On the four extremities of the rock,
which supports the obelisk, are four Rivera
Gods, sculptured in white marble, with a
delicacy and expression not to be surpassed.
These are intended to represent the DANUBE,

the NILE, the LA PLATA, and the GANGEs, i

the'four principal rivers of the different
quarters of the globe. The DANUBE rests
his right leg on an omit—The NILE veils his
head with classical proprietwahe AMERI-g
CAN River-God lifts up his left—hand and
eyes in surprise, as if first made known to

the rest of the world-'—-—The ASIATIC Rivera ‘

God, with a placid look, Stretches out his
hand to a serpent crawling, and to a shell,
This last seems to be a different design from
the original, where the GANGES is repre—

‘P In the Vatican at Rome is an ancient sculpture of the TIBER;
in the same attitude. May not Bernini hare intended that river in.
gtead of the Danube; , ' ‘

 

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72 DESCRIPTION or 'BLENHEIM. '

islented as recumbent, crowned with sedge; "
and a rudder between his legs, with the
palm-tree behind. ;

The'following' arms appear on one side
of the base of the obelisk geundei*acoronet
in abordure of lions and castles, per saltier,
for Castile and Leon, two baskets and five.
On the Opposite side, ina bordure 'ofsaltiers,
under a Coronet, two Wolves, with lambs in
their mouths,

Above, on the square pedestal ‘ of the
' obelisk, which is, of white, marble, is the
sUbseQuent inscription in four different Ian-g,
guages, Latin, Greek, Italian, and Spanish, ‘

AD INNOCENTIUM X‘E. SUMMUM ‘I’ONTIFICEM.
rno. CAROLO. 11. HISPANIARUM REGE‘ '
EXCELC: p. D. GASPAR: DE. mm, ET
GUZMAN-
museum. DE. CARPIO. ET HELICHEO omrom
AD TYPUM MOLIS. IN AGONALI EURO ERECTIE.
AB EQUITE. BERNINOV OPUS; Hoc. Exs'rnux.
sussrr, ‘EODEM. DIRIGENTE. QUI. iNTERm.
DUM PERFrcERmUR. DEFU'NCTus.
E062 Pos'rnumo. PARTUZ INEXH'AUSTAM.
MENsz. FOECUNDITATEM CLAUSIT.

4mm D :\ M : Dc: Lxxxx.

This fine piece of sculpture, the last work
of BERN‘INI, and a copy from the magnifi—
cent fountain in the Piazza Navona at

 

GARDENS, ' 3 ' 73

Rome, was a present 3:er the Spanish ama- , .
bassador at the Papal court, to the “first

Duke of Marlborough, It has only been

recently erected; and during the many

years it lay neglected, was much damaged,

and part Of its characteristic appendages

and adjuncts lost. 3 Still, however, it bears

a closebresemblance, to the noble original;

proves an ornament to the gardens, and

the admiration of spectators. ,

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From the Fountain, the path meanders up
hill. The left is open to the charming vale
through which the river glides: the right
is occasionally shaded by groups of trees,
Almost every step presents a new scene;
the transitions are sudden, but never harsh;
even the strong contrast between the ele:
gant sculpture we have just left, and’the.
wild ROCK SEATS that occupy the brow,
gives an additional impression to. each,
Above these is a noble view intotthe park;
the HIGH LODGE, with its antique battle-.2
ments amidst an amphitheatre of venerable
trees, is a striking object in the landscape.
From this spot we wind 'to the. right, and,
fresh beauties again arrest the attention,
L.

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"'74 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

To paint every change of scenery that pre-
' sents itself in the space of an hundred yards
‘ would be impossible; the impression can
only be conveyed by the eye ;-—-—the happiest
description would fail. At one point we
have a glimpse of the river; at another per-
haps it is lost; the turrets of the Palace
just emerge; an expanse of Water with a
forest line of wood draws the View; and,
at a few paces distance, the Palace, the
river, the two principal bridges, and the
fine terrace on the west of the gardens, all
burst with irresistible beauty and attraction.
At this .spot, the sublime predominates in a
very high degree; and frigid indeed must,
that taste be, which will not feel and con-.-
fess the energy of the scene, When the
rising sun throws its horizontal rays on the
gilded orbs of Blenheim, the tops of the
trees catch his radiance, and the withdraw;-
ing shade lightly floats on the surface of the
lake; nature does not furnish apicture 0f
- ' more brilliancy than this. ’
' A little farther, and the intervening
~ _ groups allow only glimpses ;—-again the
x ' prospect opens, the parkvdisplays its syl-,.
van honours on the north, and on the east,
i the Chiltern hills bound the sight. At the

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GARDENS. ’ . 75

utmost extent of vision is WINCHENDQN,

formerly the .seat of the Duke of Wharton,

now the property of the Marlborough
family.» There is something grand in the

idea: the vast Space between is swallowed]

up; and fancy combining the distant do-
mains in the same landscape, gives a sanc-
tion and a solution to the magnificence
around.

On the right, as we turn down towards
the Iron-Bridge, stands l’ARROTINO, or as
it is usually called, the LISTENING SLAVE,
a fine cast in bronze from the antique, by
BENZI. Descending to the river, from
distant views the transition becomes instan-
taneous to near ones. The water is seen
flowing round to the cascade ,: the bank on
the right is abrupt and rocky, chiefly
planted with sumach; on the left, it is
adorned with the fairest rising plantations,
which are yearly rendering the spot more
characteristically romantic.

all around
Umbrageous grots, and caves of cool recess,
And murmuring waters down, the slope disPers’d,
Or held, by fringed banks, in crystal lakes,
Compose a rural seat of various View.

MILTON."

 

L2

 

 

'76 DESCRIPTKCN 0F BLENHEiM.

On the Blenheim side of the Iron-Bridge;-
the cascade and its accompaniments arei
x wholly lost; the former can only be traced
by its murmurs and its dashing. The walk
now runs along the left of the upper river :
the lower is scarcely perceptible. Even
the inferior path, by which we descend
' from the sheep-walk to the cascade, though
only a few yards below, is rendered entirely
distinct, by the figure of the ground, and
the groups that adorn it. As we advance
to the angle of the sheep-walk, the ground
becomes gradually more elevated. Beyond,
the broad expanse of water on the left, a“.
' fine outline of pendent wood stretches along
y to an indeterminate length; on the other
hand is highly decorated lawn. The TER-
RACE may be said to commence at this
' point; and its captivating charms are gra-
dually developed as we proceed. From a.
_ moderate eleVation above the level of the
lake, it'rises to a bold declivity, feathered
down to the brink with majestic trees, in-
terspersed with plantations of younger
growth, grouped and arranged in the most
enchanting style; while the wild forest that
clothes the opposite bank is reflected in the
crystal tide below. ‘The lake is usually

 

GARDENS. ’7?

farther enlivened with various pleasure
vessels, disposed in such a manner as may
best adorn this illustrious scene. Behind is

a delightful perspective of. the back, ground

‘on the south-west; and the cascade glit-

ters in all its grandeur.

As we approximate the level of the ter-
race, the shaft of CHURCHILL’S PILLAR
app ears in front above the surrounding trees ;
by degrees it opens to its, very base. The
dark groves in the northern part of the park
begin to display themselves; and. couched
in the front of one, the celebrated BATH
of ROSAMOND may be dimly discerned.
The water too assumes avariety of figures;
the outline becomes more indented; and a.
collateral branch of undefined extent, run-
ning up a deep vale from the principal
stream, without appearing to derive its
sole importance from it, has the pleasing
effect of seeming to augment its current.
DITCHLEY Woods form the horizon : these
fall into the back-ground of the scene, at a
distance sufficient for greatness, and without
any disjunction of parts. Here we reach the

TEMPLE OF DIANA,

which stands on the summit of the decli—

 

 

78 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

vity.—-We survey the landscape with rapt»
ture-—-—-vve confess the 726 plus ultra of pictué
‘resque embellishment. This temple indeed
marks the happy spot where the assemblage
of differentattractions operate with singular
advantage. All is great—all is eXecuted
(in a scale of proportionate magnificence ;
and. though every part of the ”gardens has
peculiar charms, this terrace-4-tliis point in
particular, as. a Home, View, combines more
than all, and exhibits almost every difierent
excellence in each. ’
The temple itself is abveautiful and stately
structure,designed by Sir William Chama-
hers; and its situations corresponds. with
that on the east side of the gardens. In the
front are four pillars» with Ionic capitals;
and on the pediment is this dedication :.

APTEMIAI.
AI‘PIAI-IAAI.’
OPEXTIAAI. ‘

“ 1'21 the Ionian, rural, mountain ranging Diana.”

On the back within, is acentral medal-
lion, representing, in bas-relief, HIPPOLI-
TUS offering a wreath of flowers to DIANA;
and on twoothers, united to this by a festoon,
are the subsequent verses from the, Hip-

GARDENS. - ' '79

pelitus of EURIPIDES, with the annexed
elegant English version.

20; T9932 (”Asimov reQDavov £5 axnpwrs
Aer/two; Q Asavz‘o’wa, magma-a; qbgpw.
IDS, 835 woman» after @5ng 6070;,
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Mehsaqa Xa‘um’ edgwoq diegxe'rau‘

Hat; 3.2 worm/Maw; mmvfl 350mm.

To thee, bright Goddess, these fair flowers I bring,

A Chaplet woven from th’ untainted mead, ._

Thy cOol sequester’d haunt, where never yet
Shepherd approach’d , where the rude hind ne’er heav’d
Th’ unhallow’d axe: nor voice nor sound is heard,
Save the low murmuring of the vernal bee.

The day-spring from above the dew distils

Genial and mild, from the pure stream exhal’d,

On every fragrant herb, and favourite flower.

Hurried on by the splendor of more ca—
pital objects, we forgot to notice another
cast in bronze of the ROMAN WRESTLERS,
by BENZI. It stands on the rig-ht, a little
before we approach the temple, and well
deserves attention as a just representation
of the antique. \

A short way beyond the temple of DIANA
W53 enjoy manybrilliant scenes in the park °,

 

 

 

 

30 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

and turning round over the charming lawn
before the south front of the Palace,“
finiSh the tour of the gardens with im-

pressions ofpleasnre gradually raised to the

highest, and permanently fixed by the
splendor of the concluding scenery.

The intersecting walks generally retire.
from the sight, ,«but are never wanting for
necessary communication: they conduct to:
the principal subordinate scenes; they o‘ca
cupy the happiest spaces. By following
their direction, we are sure of meeting
with some object in our progress to com-

. pensate for the toil; some beauty is dis.

closed which would otherwise be lost; or
scenes are ‘ thrown in perspective, or-
heightened by contrast, in a manner dif-
ferent from what we observed before.

The occasional recurrence also of the
garden chair, the plain bench, or the Cir-7.
cular seat round the trunk of some urnbra-u~
geous tree, \by presenting opportunitiesfor

' rest, prevent the idea of lassitude. Thus,

in our journey through life, it is not always.
the actual use of the accommodations we

possess, that adds to our comfort 3 it is the

reflection that we may Command them in
the hour of need, and that We have it in

Vt

GARDENS. 8.1 \

Our power to gratify the wish as soon as it
is felt. But these are not simply objects of
ornament or convenience; they generally
point , out scenes which repose may (3011*
template with, delight, and fancy combine
into picture.

Here a thousand beauties, originating

from design, appear fortuitous to the eye.
Though traversing a garden where taste has
exhausted its skill, we incessantly indulge
the idea of being only contemplating the
natural charms of the Country, and tracing
delights of rich variety and unlimited ex-

' tent.

In this, tour, indeed, we have omitted

many circumstances which in an inferior place
would have deservedly claimed regard.
Here littleness is absorbed in grandeur, and
prettiness in magnificence. This marks

' the prevailing character; and should it ever,
in the minutest instance, be sacrificed to,

its opposite, Blenheim will lose that prin-
cipal beauty-consiste11cy, though it may
borrow the fairest flowers from the garland
of novelty. . Of - this, however,’ there is no
danger. The character of this place is now
sufficiently established in the public estima-
tion ; and its acknowledged superiority in
M

 

 

_ ‘ 3—9: '

 

   

82 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHElM.

natural charms and highly embellished land-
scape, is attested by the annually increasing
numberoffisitors. And who that has seen
Blenheim once does not .wish to see it
again!

W

RIVERtt.

\

THE River, which covers the whole eX- “

tent ofa spacious valley, bending in the

happiest style, and affording the most pro. /

fuse variety of picturesque features in the
sublime“, the beautiful, and the tranquil,
when viewed with its accompaniments, is
indiSputably the most supeib piece of arti-
ficial water in this kingdom. It is chiefly

"' I f the words river and lake are sometimes applied to the same
thing, it is heped the. reader will not imputer this to ignorance Dr
error : the water at Blenheim partakes of the nature of both; it is a
River, because it has a progressive motion ; it is also a Lake, because
it spreads far beyond its original channel. Thus uniting the distin-
guishing beauties and characteristics of each, it rises to the pre-emi-
hence of sublimity in kind. It is proper, however, to remark, that it
generally receives the name of the Lake from its commencement to
the grand bridge, and of the Great Water down to the cascade.~
The whole 18 stocked with abundance of fine fish, such as pike, perch,
carp, &c. &c. Pikes have sometimes been caught here weighing
nearly 301bs. These may be truly called “ the tyrants of the watery
plain." \

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/"

*4 ‘ ‘ RIVER; * 83

supplied by the GLYME*, which still, in»

a great measure, retains its original direc-4
tion, its channel being expanded rather

than altered: so, favourable has Nature)

been to the operations of art!

It enters thepark in the vale which 36-.

parates Old from New W’obdstock, flowing
undera belt of rising plantations, and is-4
Suing to light by a bridge of seven arches,
the minuteness and mUltiplicity of which
have been thought to derogate from gran-
deur, though the wholeis well adapted to
give the idea of a supply, equal to the mag-'4'
nitude of the lake.

In other points of View, a thick grove,

‘ and beautiful groups of Lombardy peplars,

and other trees that love the streams, by
concealing the source, promote the same
desirable effect. The banks at first are low :'
on one side they soOn become bold and
IWinding; on the other, they have little
elevation, but are happily varied.

The lake quickly Spreading to a great

expanse, stretches towards QUEEN POOLT,
"' The Glyme rises near Heythrop Park, the seat of the Earl of

Shrewsbury, and flowing past Kiddington and Glympton, or the town

or village on the Glyme, washes Wootton, and soon after receiving

Barton brook winds round towards Woodstock, through whose wil.

lowy meads it runs in several channels, which unite in Blenheim lake.
1‘ 30 called from Philippa, Queen of Edward III. ‘ '

M2

13‘
*5?
l?

 

 

84: Dsscairrro's or. BLENHEIM.

Where it forms a small creek, With various
islets, stews, and buildings, chiefly lost in
trees; then taking a determined course, it
‘ seems to seek the, opposite shore, in its pro-
gress flowing rounid QUEEN ELIZABETH’S
ISLAND*, a most delightful Spot, clothed
with aquatic trees and shrubs of the utmost
beauty and variety, which . connect the
groups on the banksgand soon becoming
embayed on. the left, it winds round to the
Grand Bridge, narrowing as it advances, to
an adequate breadth with‘that noble struc-
' ture.

lirom the bridge, a most capital expanse
of water again catches the eye; an expanse
unrivalled by the finest English river'l‘, un-
mixed with the‘ sea; and which, washing
the remote banks, varies with their direc~
1 tion ; makes a long diversion up a vale that
forms a right angle with its bed, and affords
the representation of a collateral stream :
then rolling a seemingly enlarged volume,

*This is part of the ancient causeway leading to the Old Manor
House, which stood about 100 yards farther north. ,

'l Brown, who superintended the early improvements here, in his
usual consequential manner, has been heard to boast, “ That the
Thames would never forgive him for what he had done at Blenheim.”
Had he lived to the present time, he would have been : sensible how
mush his most finished labors may be surpassed. ‘

 

 

RIVER. , p- w
it winds round, and. washes the foot of the.
declivity, onwhich part of the gardens lie ;
and on the other side it is bounded by a
considerable hill, feathered down with a

«noble wood to the water’s .edge, and fire-7

quently reflected on its surface.

‘ Crystal lakes,
O’erwhich the giant oak, himself a grove,
Fli‘ngs his romantic branches, and beholds
His reverend image in th’ expanse below.

MASON.

Preserving one general unvarying direc-
tion for a considerable length, it gradually
narrows; and Viewed from the grand bridge,
appears land-locked and embayed. Several
pleasure vessels of various construction,
riding at anchor, swans sailing in conscious
pride, and other aquatic fowl, indigenous
as well as foreign, exercising their native
propensities, unite to enliven the watery
scene. When tranquil, the reflected and
inverted images in the stream, present a
picture, which fancy contemplates with
mild delight; when agitated with winds, its
rippling bosom and wavy dash are lively
emblems of the sea, to which it then bears
some resemblance.

 

 

 

85 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM’.

At the point where it appears emhayed,
it passes under alight iron bridge, simple
and“ unadorned, and characteristic ,of its
destination; and making a pretty Sudden
bend, it tumbles down a barrier of massy
rocks, with a force equal to its copiousness;

f and with afall of eighteen feet perpen;
dicular, and twenty~seven with the angle
it’forms. Above this cascade, are an hun-a'
dred and fifty acres of water: below, it is a ‘
continuation of an hundred more. ,

Recovering its level, the river flows with
a serpentine sweep through an expanded
vale, embellished with scattered groups of
flourishing young plantation; and ‘at an
agreeable distance, stretches another face
of the hill already mentioned as a boundary,
covered with trees whose pendency and age
render them at once picturesque and vene- /
rable. But though in this reach the river
admits an oval woody islet, its channel be--
comes now more contracted than before;
and its style partakes rather of the beautiful
than the sublime. Reaching the New Bridge,
a very elegant modern structure, it inclines
with the course of the vale, and tOuching
near Bladon, . makes a determined bend to
the right, The banks on both sides at this

 

 

RIVER. 87

point are swelling lawn, with little clumps,
connected by single trees, disposed With-

out the least shew of 1ntention, but uniting

to produce the happiest effect.

FrOm hence, the river takes a variety of
charming turns, chiefly With a strong incli-
nation to the right, doubling as it we1e on
itself, and circumscribing the extremity of
- the hill which accompanies it the greatest
part of 1ts course. In one place a fine sheet
of water spreads before the eye, and in-
vites progress by its apparent continuity; in
another, the trees seem to embay it, and
y we advance a considerable way, before we
can detect the deception.

From the first determined sweep near
Bladon, a gravel walk on the left follOws the
direction of the river. This walk IS bounded
on one side by a. belt of thick plantation;
on the other, a few scattered trees range
with the stream. Beyond the river, we are
charmed with all the diversity of pleasing
scenery: a small grove first presents itself
close to the verge of the tide; a few Irre-
gular trees next succeed; sometimes a
clump planted at the termination of a reawch
by advancing to the belt on the opposite
shore, appears to land-lock the stream ,then

 

 

88 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM‘.
again we are delighted with open lawn and ’
diversified landscape. At last, the river
passing under a low bridge with numerous
arches, precipitates itself down a steep cas-'
cade, I and at the 'same instant falls into the
EVENLODE*, which gliding in an opposite
direction through verdant meads, winds
under the park to receive the tributary"
GLYME. The united rivers forming a woody
island immediately after their junction,
meander through a continuation of meads,
and dispense beauty and fertility, as they
flow to join the classic Isis.

The Vefi'ect occasioned by two rivers
hastening to meet each other, and then
bending almost at right angles with their
former course, is as pleasing as it is singular
and romantic. No awkward termination is,
here to. be traced, no disgustingdisp‘lay of .
art to heighten the scene ; Taste unfolds the
beauties of Nature with a delicate touch,
and Art is only the handmaid to her charms.

So many circumstances lend their aid to
embellish this spot and its vicinity, that we

‘3 The Evenlode obtains its name from a village. so called in
Worcestershire. In its course, it receives several little broeks, washes
Charlbury, and serpentizing through fertile meadows, at length form;
the southern boundary of Blenheim Park. "

 

WWWYWHQ: w

4.93;".-5.

 

RIVER. . ' 8.9

scruple not to pronounce it one of the most
delightful in the precincts of Blenheim:

'but it retires from the view, and its unob-e

trusive charms are therefore seldom seen,
While scenesiless captivating force atten-

tion by a bold display, these, like modesty)

shun the public eye, and are only visited
by the discerning few. ' May we not add,
such is the fate of unassuming merit; its.

lovely qualities are only casually noticed, .
' and the impression they make is often too

evanescent to availthem!
In this sequestered situation, the COD-9
templative man

sublim’d from low desires,
To [commune with his secret soul retires;
Thinks on the present, scans his future state,
Explores what ills, what blessings round him‘wait ;
0r loves a retrospective glance to cast .
On many a dear ecstatic rapture past;
To mark those few, those fleeting hours that smil’d,
Like flowers that bloom amid a desert wild;
Those scenes of long-lamented joys to mourn,—
Nay sigh for pains that never can return.

. On the Whole—the water at Blenheim,
as a very elegant writer-9‘e observes, “in size,
“ form, and style, is equal to the majesty
“ of the scene gsand is designed in the spirit,

fl Wheatley on Modern Gardening.
N

 

   

 

” 790' DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM. ,

“ is executed with the liberality of the ori-

ginal donation, when this residence of a
mighty monarch was bestowed bya great
people, as a munificent reward, on the
“ herowho had deserved best of his coun«
5: try.” - -

‘6

‘C

W
'P-ARK’F.

The PARK, which under the auspices of '
the present Duke, has received every possi-
ble improvement,

Plann’d by his taste, and plantedby his hand,

'is one continued galaxy of charming pros-

f

""’ That vast space which lies without the River has received the ap.
propriate appellation of the Great Park; the portion which is in a
great measure surrounded by it, of the Little Park. See the Plan.

The following meteorological phenomenon deserves to be recorded.
On the evening of the 29th of November 1797, a freezing rain began
to fall, and in the course of the night incrusted every tree, shrub, and
blade of grass, to a thickness almost incredible. In consequence of
this, many trees and an immense number of branches were brought
to the ground. In Blenheim Park, to which, and a small surrounding
space, this phenomenon was confined, nearly one thousand loads of
wood were destroyed. The very rooks had their wingsfrozen, and 7
fell from their perches. Nothing could be mere beautiful than the
trees in their brilliant coats of mail. By candle light, every leaf of
evergreens seemed to have a diamond pendent at its extremity.

Where similar phenomena have occurred, it has always been found
that they were partial in their reflects, andran' in anarrow track.

PARK. 91

pects, and agreeably diversified scenes. Its
circumference is upwards of twelve miles;
its area about two thousand seven hundred.
acres, round which are the most enchanting,
rides, chiefly shaded towards the boundary
with a deep belt of various trees, evergreens,
and deciduous shrubs, whose mingled foli-
age exhibits the different gradations of tints,
from the most faint to, the most obfuscated
green; while plantations of corresponding
figure and growth on the park side, some-
times range with the former, and some-
times breaking into grOups, with large in-
terstices between, relieve the taedium of
continued uniformity, and open the most
brilliant, prospects. , Indeed the effects of
polished taste, and sublime in design,,are no
where more perceptible than in the bound-
less views which at intervals present them-
selves; the limits of the park being in ge-
neral quite concealed; and the whole sur-
rounding country, varied with hills and
vales, spires, towers, and villas, appearing
as one wide extended landscape. In the in—
ternal part, new improvements are continu-
ally adopting, and new plantations rising,
wherever they can contribute to the beauty.
or the luxuriance of the scene.
N 2

 

 

   

92 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

—-—Hence the poor are cloa'tli’d, the hungry fed,-
Health to himself, and to his children bread
The labourer be-ars;—i—f-———-

During the vernal season, the profusion
of blossomed hawthorns, in all the wild
luxuriance of nature, scattered among the
fOrest trees, diffuse the most delightful
fragrance, while they encreaSe the] general
effect; and even when stripped of their
foliage they are not ungrateful to the eye,
«that is enamoured of vegetative beauty in
its every aspect. The humble-shrub aptly
contrasts with the lofty tree; and though
confined within narrow limits, like unaspir-
ing poverty, is not less necessary than its“
type, to fill up'the interstices of space, and
to. complete the plan of creationa

In different places also we meet with
‘venerable oaks, that have seen some cen-
turies pass oVer their heads, and yet flourish
in a green old age. It would be easy to
point out some of extraordinary dimensions
and beauty, which are perfectly sound;
while the fantastic forms and umbrageous

tops of others, with their hearts quite de-
- cayed, read many a moral and impressive
lesson, which the mind of sensibility may
easily apply, Often is the heart of mam

- {73’ ‘» 5-: --:'=~._‘ as. :» 'W ”9" " ’

 

PARK. 93

corroded with care or broken by neglect,
while the forced smile ofjoy, called up by
' honest pride, plays on the face; and eX-
ternals ind-icatenothing but happiness, and
vigour within. i The GENE-ROUS SPIRIT, like
the majestic king of the forest, towers und-
4 bending to the last; and perhaps when the
irresistible storms, by ‘which it has been
- long buffetted, occasiOn its fall, the'unae
' vailing tear of regret may be shed too late,
and the hand that might have been a stay,
be extended in vain 1 i
The usual RIDE round the park, for on»
casional visitors, incluclesa circumference
of rather more than three miles, describing
a wide circle round the PALACE and GAR-
DENS, which are casually and advantage-
ously seen through glades in the progress,
and exhibiting many magnificent pictures
over the park and country round. ‘This
RIDE has ever been considered as the first
of natural charms that ‘BLENHEIM supplies,
and as thezcoup d’wz’l and compendium of
all the rest; and aslit may be taken in a
carriage or on horseback, it is neither ac~
companied with fatigue nor delay.
In this delightful tour, we pass from

 

 

/

94 DESCRIPTION OF B'LENHEIM.

scenes the mostadorned, to open grove“,
and even to the wild majesty of anatiVe
forest, with no abrupt or unpleasing tran-
‘sition. Glades, lawns, gentle hills, retiring
vales, wood and water, so sweetly blend-and
harmonize in the, landscape, that the eye
every where finds novelty and interest, and.
acknowledges the eliect of contrast and de«
sign, without revolting at its display.- 7 But
to enumerate every beauty conspicuous. in
this tour, would’be to delineate all that is
charming in natural objects ; , and in, some
instances would occasion arepetition of cir-
cumstances already remarked. A detail must
not therefore be expected. Let it how-
ever be observed, that at Blenheim. the
farm/e ornée iscombined with the magnifie
7 cent park. In one quarter, the eye is de-
lighted with the sight of waving corn, in
another, with green paddocks that invite the
scythe: here a building dedicated to agri-,
cultural purposes, or raised for the. accom-
modation of the necessary officers, just
peeps through the deep shade of surround-
ing trees; there the team rattles. down the
. It is said that the trees to the eastward of Blenheim, which now
ferm an openwgrove, were originally planted in battalia, and of this

there are still many evident traces; but the axe has long since judi-
ciously broken their ranks, and restored them to taste and nature.

 

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PARK. 95

slope abrupt. On one side appears a herd I

of deer, on another a flock' of sheep; and
sometimes animals, native and foreign, graze

in social peace. All is apicture of rural 7

life” in its most agreeable colours, in its
happiest avocations: it presents cheerful
activity, or tranquil repose-~Arcadian scenes
divested of fable, and real wealth without

- glitter. ‘

'The PHEASANTRY, situated on arising

' ground near the lower cascade, is one of

the most superb establishments of the kind
in this country. The variety and beauty
of these birds present an object that cannot
fail to please. But though some of the
more curious kinds are kept here, they

stock the park and the adjoining woods, in '

prodigious numbers.

Among the many captivating views which
every spectator of taste will recognize in
the tour of the PARK, those from the HIGH
LODGE and the OBELISK may be particu-
larized. The HIGH LODGE was once the
residence of the witty, but immoral Wil-
mot, Earl of Rochester, and the place where
he died: Let those who have copied his
profligacy, reflect on his remorse, and re-
solve to imitate his repentance! From

 

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* 96 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.‘

hence, the proSpectisnot only very ex«
tensive, but is also one ,of the most at-

. tractive that can be conceived; it includes,

among a variety of iother capital and. pictu~
resque objects, a distant view of the Uni-
versity of OXFORD in one direction, and of
a richly wooded Country, in which WHICHq
WOOD FOREST bounds the landscape, in
another.

Enchanting site! Hence every rural sweet,
Arid every natural charm delight to meet.
Hence to the eye the, landscape‘opens wide ;
The dancing spirits roll a quicker tide.
Around, new objects prompt th’ excur‘s‘iVe lay i,
The gently Winding stream, the meadow gay ;
The smiling village, sunk in leafy shades, '
That just unfolds its low roofs through the glades i.
The splendid seat, the tower, the shining spire,
And hills that catch the sun’s departing fire.
The SYLVAN SCENE, where erst in happier days, ,
To NATURE’S charms I pour’d the heart-feit laysis.
OxosIA’s fanes, of'every Art the seat, i
Of‘ every muse the lov’d, the blast retreat.
0 may fair soience in her precincts smile,

And shed new lustre o’er this happy isle:
To guard the laws, religion’s flame maintain,

i Still may worth issue from her fost’rmg reign.

The HIGH LODGE occupying the great-e
est elevation in the park, its whole vicinity

' See Ode to Nature, written ‘in_Whichwood Forest.

   

 

PARK. ’ . 97

is replete with beauties. The drive through
' the forest wood, which lies between it and
the lake, presents such an assemblage of
views and such various combinations of
them in rapidisuccession, that no stranger
should omit taking this route. The Water,
the Palace, the Gardens, the Grand Bridge,
the Pillar, Woodstock, and other near and ' -
remote objects, open and ‘shut upon the
eye like enchantment; and at one point,

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9 every change of a few paces furnishes a new
scene, each of which would form a subj ect ,
k worthy of the sublimest pencil.

r Viewed from the OBELISK or PILLAR, at
once the Palace, the River, and the Gar—
dens, are seen in their best persp-ective,and
’* the idea of grandeur they excite will con‘
vert admiration into rapture. Nor will the
OBELISK itself pass without observation: it
is raised to the memory of the hero of the
last century, compared with whose tran-
scendent services the greatest exploits of
a ' ' our cotemporary wa1r1013 sink into oblivion.

 

Immortal Chief! of Albion’ s isle the pride,
By martial deeds to greatest names ally’d:
Renown’d for valour, as for mercy lov’d, ’
a , The highest pitch of human bliss you prov’d; ‘ ,
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98 DESCRIPTION OF BLENHEIM.

Gain’d the fair meed without the conscious stain,
. And wore the laurel, unalloy’d with pain.

Unlike those pests who fight for fame alone,

To slave a nation, or to mount a throne;

You drew the sword,’ th‘e injur’d to defend,

To aid the helpless, and the proud to bend.

Be this your fame l—nor could the favouring Nine

Grace with a praise, more noble, more divine.

\

The statue of this great man, which
crowns the column, is designed in a Roman
dress: at his feet are two eagles: in the left
hand is the general’s batoon 5 in the right,
a figure of VICTORY elevated. On three
sides of the pedestal are inscribed the Acts
of the British Parliament in his favour, and
the entail of his honours and estates on the
descendants of his daughters; and issue
failing in Lady Godolphin, the eldest; from
the Countess .of Sunderland, the second
daughter, they now centre in the Spencer
family." On the side facing Blenheim, his
character is thus delineated, and his ex-
ploits recorded, as is supposed, by the
masterly pen of Lord Bolingbroke :

The Castle of BLENHEIM was founded by Queen ANNE
In the fourth year of her Reign,
In the Year of the Christian fEra
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Five.

 

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PARK. 5 99

A monument design’d to perpetuate the Memory of the A _.
Signal Victory I ’ "t
Obtain’d over the French and Bavarians,
Near the Village of BLENHEIM,
On the Banks of the Danube,
By JOHN DUKE of MARLBOROUeH,

The Hero not only of his Nation, but, (if his Age :
Whose Glory was equal in the Council and in the Field 5.
Who, by Wisdom, Justice, Candour, and Address,
Reconcil’d various, and even opposite Interests;
Acquired an Influence
Which no Rank, no Authority/cangive,

Nor any Force, but that of superior Virtue;
Became the fixed important Centre,

it Which united, in one common Cause,

‘ ' ' The principal States of EURorE;

Who, by military Knowledge, and irresistible Valour,
In along Series of uninterrupted Triumphs,

 

, ' Broke the Power of France,

L When raised the highest, when exerted the most:

" Rescued the Empire from Desolation;

i Asserted and confirmed the Liberties of EUROPE.

f “ PHILIP, a Grandson of the House of

“ FRANCE, united to the Interest, di-
“ rected by the Policy, supported by the
‘ Arms of that Crown, was placed on the
« Throne of Spain. King WILLIAM III.
,/ A “ beheld this formidable Union of two,
“ Great, and once Rival Monarchies. At
“ the end of a Life spent in defending the
“ Liberties of EUROPE, 'He saw them in
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100 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

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their greatest Danger. He providedfor
their security in the most effectual man-
ner. He took the Duke of Marlborough
into his Service.

“ Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
‘-‘ To the States General of the United Provinces,

The Duke contracted Iseveral Alliances,
before the Death of King William. He
confirmed and improved These, He con-
tract'ed others, after the Accession of
Queen ANNE: and re-united the Con-
federacy, which ,had been dissolved at
the End of a former War, in a stricter
and firmer League.

“ Captain General and Commander in Chief
“ 0f the Forces of Great-Britain,

The Duke led to the'Field the Army of
the Allies. He took with surprising rat-
pidity VENLO, RUREMONDE, STE- '
VENSWAERT, LIEGE. He extended
and secured. the Frontiers-of the Dutch.
The Enemies, whom he found insulting
at the Gates of NIMEGHEN, were
driven to seek for shelter behind'their
Lines. He forced BONNE, HUY, LIM-
BOURG, in another Campaign. He

 

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PARK. ' _ . IO 1

g “ opened the COmmunication of the
i « RHINE, as well as the MAES. He
‘5 added all the Country between these Ri-
“ vers to his former Conquests.
“ The Arms of FRANCE, favoured .by '
“ the Defection of the Elector of BAVA-
~ . “ RIA, had penetrated into theiHeart of
‘ the EMPIRE. This mighty Body lay
a i “ exposed to immediate ruin. In that me-
? “ morable Crisis, the Duke of MARLBO-
“ ROUGH led his Troops, with unexam-
it" ' ' ‘ pledCelerity’, Secrecy, Order, from the
‘ “ OCEAN to the DANUBE. He saw,
‘ He attacked, nor stopped, but to conquer
“ the Enemy. He forced the BAVARI-
“ ANS, suStained by the FRENCH, in
“ their strong Entrenchments at SCHEL-
LENBERG. He passed the DANUBE.
A second Royal Army, composed of the
best Troops of FRANCE, was sent to
reinforce the first; That ofthe Confede-
“ rates was divided. , With one part of it
‘ the Siege of INGOLSTADT was carried
on : with the other, the Duke gave Bat—
“ tle to the united strength of FRANCE
‘ and BAVARlA. On the second day of
August, onethousand seven hundred and
four, He gained a more glorious Victory

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than the Histories of any Age can boast.
“ The heaps of slain were dreadful Proofs
_‘ “ of his Valour; A Marshal of FRANCE,
“ whole Legions of FRENCH, his Prison-
“‘ ers, proclaimed his Mercy. BAVARIA
“ was subdued,RATISBON,A.USBOURG,
.. ULM, MEMINGHEN, all the Usurp-
ations of the Enemy were restored. From
the DANUBE the Duke turned his Vic-
torie-us Arms towards the RHINE, and
the MOSELLE, LANDAU, TREVES,
TRAERBACH were taken. In the course
“ of one Campaign the very Nature of the
“ War was changed. The Invaders of other
“ States were reduced to defend their own.
“ The Frontier of FRANCE was exposed
in its weakest Part to the Efforts of the
“ Allies.
"" That he might improve this Advantage,
“ that He might push the Sum of Things to
a 'speedy Decision, the Duke of MARL-
BOROUGH led his Troops early in the
following Year once more to the MO-
SELLE. They whom He had saved a
_“ few months before, neglected to second
J 1“ him now. They who might have been
“ his Companions in Conquest, refused to ,
“ join him. When He saw the generous

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PARK. 103

“ Designs He had formed frustrated by

, “ private Interest, by Pique, by Jealousy,

“ He returned with Speed to the MAES.
“ He returned, and Fortune and Victory
"‘ returned with Him. LIEGE was re-
“ lieved: HUY retaken. The FRENCH,
“ who had pressed the Army of the STATES
“ GENERAL with superior Numbers, re—
“ tired behind Intrenchments which they
*“ deemed impregnable. The Duke forced

_ “ these lntrenchments, with inconsiderable

“ loss, on the seventh Day of July, 1705.
“ He defeated a great Part of the Army
‘ ‘ which defended them. The rest escaped
“‘ by _a precipitate Retreat. If Advantages
"‘ proportionable to this Success were not
“ immediately obtained, let the Failure be

“ ascribed to that Misfortune which attends

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“ nions where one alone should judge, a

“ Division of Powers where one alone

“ should command. The Dis

appointment
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itself did Honour tothe Duke. It be-
came the Wonder of Mankind, how he
could do so much under those Restraints
which had hindered him from doing

more.

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“ Powers more absolute were given him

most Confederacies, a Division of Opi- '

 

 

 

 

 

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104 DESCRIPTION or B’LENHEIM.

“ afterwards. The Increase of his Powers
“ multiplied his Victories. At the opening
“ of the next Campaign, when all his Army
“ [was not yet assembled, when it was hardly
f‘ known that he had taken the Field, the
“ Noise of his Triumphs was heard over
“ EUROPE. On the twelfth day of May,
“ one thousand seven hundred and six, he

“ attacked the French at RAMILLIES.

7“ In the space of two Hours their whole

“ Army was put to Flight. The Vigour
“ and Conduct with Which he improved the
“ Success were equal to those with which
“ he gained it. LOU‘VAIN, BRUSSELS, '
“ MALINES, LIERE, GHENT, OUDE—
“ NARDE, ANTWERP, DAMME, BRU-
cc GES, COURTRAY surrendered. os- *
“ TEND, MENIN, DENDERMOND,
“ AETH, were taken. BRABANT and
“ FLANDERS were. recovered. Places
“ which had resisted the greatest Generals
“ for Months, for Years; Provinces dis-
“ puted for Ages, were the Conquests of a
“ Summer. . »

“ Nor was the Duke content to triumph
“ alone. Solicitous for the general. Interest,
“ his Care extendedto the remotest Scenes
1" of the War, He“. chose to lessen his own

 

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PARK; 1052

u Army, that he might enable the Leaders
‘ of other Armies to conquer. To this must
‘ be ascribed,- that TURIN was relieved;

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“ the Duke of Savoy reinstated, the‘

“ FRENCH driven with Confusion out of

i " ITALY

“ These Victories gave the Confederates
an Opportunity of carrying the War on
“ every side into the Dominions of
“ F RANGE: But she continued to enjoy
“ a Kind of peaeeful Neutrality in GER-3‘
“ MANY; From ITALY she was once
“‘ alarmed; and had no more to fear; The
“ entire Reduction of this Power, whose
“ Ambition had caused; whose strength
‘ supported the War; seemed reserved to
“ him alone; who had so triumphantly be-i'
“ gun the glorious Work.-

“ The Barrier of F RANGE on the Side-
“ of the LOW COUNTRIES; had been
“' forming for more than half a Century;
“ What Art, Power,- Expence could do;
“ had been done, to render it impenetrable;
“ Yet here she was most exposed. *‘ for here
“ the Duke of MARLBORO UGH threaten;
“ ed to attack her.

“ To cover What they had gained by Sur-

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106 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

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Treachery, the FRENCH marched to
the Banks of'the SCHELDE. At their
Head were the Princes. of the Blood, and
their most fortunate General the Duke of

“VENDOME. Thus commanded, thus

posted, - they hoped to check. the Victor
in his Course. Vain were their Hopes.
The Duke of MARLBOROUGH passed
the River in their Sight. He defeated
their whole Army. The Approach of
Night concealed,. the Proximity Vof
GHENT favoured their Flight. They

. neglected nothing to repair their Loss, to

defend their Frontier. New Generals,
new Armies appeared in the NETHER-
LANDS. All contributed to enhance
the Glory, none were able to retard the
Progress of the Confederate Armies.

‘ u LISLE, the Bulwark of this Barrier,

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was‘besieged. A numerous Garrison, and
a'Marshal of FRANCE defended the
Place. Prince EUGENE of SAVOY

icommanded, the Duke of MARLBO—

ROUGH covered and sustained the Siege.
The Rivers were seized, and the com-
munication with HOLLAND interrupted.
The Duke opened new Communications
with great Labour and greater Art.

 

 

 

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Through Countries over-run by the
Enemy, the necessary Convoys arrived
in Safety. One‘alone was attacked. The

Troops which attacked it were beat. The ,

Defence of‘ wLIS‘LE was animated by as«
surances of Relief. The FRENCH assem-
bled all their Force. They marched
towards the Town. The Duke of MARL-
BOROUGH offered them Battle, without
suspending the Siege. They abandoned
the Enterprise. They came to save the
Town: they were Spectators of its Fall.
‘-‘ From this Conquest the Duke hastened
to others.

“ The Posts taken by the Enemy on the
SCHELDE were surprised. That River
was passed the second Time, and, not-

withstanding the great Preparations made

to prevent it, without opposition. BRUS-
SELS, besieged by the Elector of BA'VA:

' RIA, was relieved. GHENT surrender-

ed to the Duke in the middle ofa Winter
remarkably severe. An Army,‘ little in-
ferior to his own, marched out of the
Place.

5‘- As soon as the Season of the Year per-.
mitted him to open another Campaign,

1 the Duke besieged and took TOURNAY. .

1’2

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10,8 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

-“ He invested MONS. Near this City,‘
~ the French Almy, covered by thick
5‘ Woods, defended by treble Entrenchs '
merits? waited. t9 molest, 901’ Presumed
“ to ofier Battle. Even this was not ate
5‘ tempted by them with Impunity. On-the
last day of August one thousand seven
5‘ hundred and nine, the Duke attacked
, .5.‘ them 1n their Camp. All was employed
f‘ nothing availed against the Resolution of
“ such a General2 . against the Fury of such
‘5 Troops. The Battle was Bloody: the
5‘ Event decisive. The Woods were pierced:
5‘. the Fortifications trampled down. The
" 4‘ Enemy fled. The Town was taken.

“ DOWAY, BETHUNE, AIRE, St.
‘6‘ VENANT, BOUCHAIN, underwent the
5? same Fate in two succeeding Years.
5 Their vigorous Resistance could not save
9‘ them. The Army of FRANCE durst not
‘ attempt to relieve them. It seemed pre-
E‘ served to defend the Capital of the
.‘ Monarchy. ,

“ The Prospect of this extreme Distress
. f‘ was neither distant nor dubious. The
, f‘ FRENCH acknowledged their Con.
“ queror? and sued for Peace

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PARK? I we

if These'are the Actions of the Duke of MARLBORQUGH,
Performed in the compass of a few Years,
Sufficient to adorn the Annals of Ages,
The Admiration' of other Nations
Will be conveyed to latest Posterity,
In ‘the Histories even of the Enemies of BRITAIN.
The Sense which the BRITISH Nation had
Of his transcendent Merit,
was expressed
In the most solemn, most effectual, most durable manner,
The Acts of PARLIAMENT inscribed on this Pillar
Shall stand as long as the BRITISH Name and Language .
" last: ‘i
Illustrious monuments .
Of MARLBOROUGH’s Glory,
and
Of BRITAIN?S Gratitude,”

Rows of stately trees describe an open
square on the east and west of this column;
but soon converging behind to a moderate
breadth, and breaking into groups and
clumps of different forms and magnitudes,
they form a charming vista to an almost 7
undetermined length. Through this vistao
formerly'lay the road conducting to the
grand approach; a straight reach of more
than two miles, Without much diversity in
the objects, and with too great formality to
please. It, now takes a happier direction
along the edge of the lake to QUEEN POOL,

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110 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

then enters a low bottom with noble steeps
in distinct masses, the sides of I'vsfhiCh are

‘ adorned with pendent groves and clumps of

different growths; and slowly,3 (raininu' the

level, at last terminates in the parallel of

the palace and pillar; reaching the same
point with the undeviating vista, which in

its present application 15 a real embellish;

ment

The ancient Roman road, generally known
by the appellation of AKEMAN-STREET,
Crosses this vista from east to west; and
may be distinctly traced near the North
Lodge. Where the AKEMAN has been
broken up, which, as levels of antiquity,
we lament has been (10116 Where it could not
be necessary, its materials appear to have
been an immense congestion of rubble and,
stones, such as the vicinity supplied. Its
ridge, however, in many places is still en;
tire, and exhibits a proof of the persevering
industry, the indefatigable pains, and the
public spirit of the Roman Colonists. At a-
small distance beyond the park, and a little
to the right of the AKEMAN, in the parish of
STONESFIELD, a tesselated pavemenfilé was

. ‘ See Hearne, Pointer, Pitiscns" Lexicom and, the 2dJVol». of the '
(W’Supplement to Mountfaucon’s Antiquities, p. 39. ‘ i

 

PARK. 1 l I
discovered in 1711,,/which’ was then gener-
ally supposed to be nothing more than the
site of a Roman general’s tent._

In 1779, near the same spot,the areas
of several otherlarge apartments were found
with curious tesselations, and borders, at
once admirable for beauty and device. Ad-
joining was a hypocaust, and. a bath, and
other remains of Roman architecture in
brick, of the most durable texture. These
have long been removed or demolished ; but
correct drawings of the Whole, by Lewing-
ton, of Woodstock, (who saved copies,)
are in the possession of the Antiquary So-
ciety*. The two largest apartments are
very accurately and beautifully represented
in a late engraving by that ingenious self-
taught artist, Fowler. _

But this park is still more celebrated for
its magnificent royal palace, commonly
called the MANOR liOUsE, the frequent

/ 9 0n the late ~inclosure of the parish of Stonesfield (1801,) by a
tasteless allotment of property, the site of these venerable remains of
the Romans, has been divided among three different proprietors, so
that not a vestige of them will soon be left While the field was
inclosing, the writer of this saw a very beautiful border of one of the
tesselated areas uncovered. it lay only auuut SIX inches from the

surface, and must have been grazed by the plough, every year that
the Spot was in cultivation. _

 

 

 

 

112‘ ' sasémmor crewman.

and favourite retreat of several kings of
‘ England, at various peri‘Ods; till the reigri

of Charles I. when it stoOd a long siege’
under the Conduct of Captain Samuel Faws
cet, who behaved with such skill and reso-t
Iution on behalf of his royal master, that?
many of the enemy fell before the place:

and had not the king sent commissioners to

treat abouta surrender, which was at last

agreed on, April 26, 1646, this intrepid;
Officer Was determined to bury himself una
der its ruinsi Some of the entrenchments
cast up on this occasion are still visible on

a the brow of the hill above QUEEN POOL;

and the parterres and knots of the ancient
gardens are distinctly to be traced on the
lawn, in front of Churchill’s Pillar.

Some venerable and majestic remains of
the manor house were to be seen till after
the building of Blenheimfi when every
trace of the ancient edifice was removed,
and two SYCAMORE TREES were planted to
mark ‘its‘ site ‘ '

a On levelling the site of the old manorghouse, 1723, a coffin was
dug up, in which was found a gold ring, of about ten or twelve guineaS‘
value; inscribed with these Words, “ Remember the Covenant”

' LELAND’s C011. by Hearne; . _.

From prints and drawings still remaining, it appears that the palace
of Woodstock was a magnificent and extensive structure; ' i

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PARK. 113

Where you spread trees wave o’er the crystal stream.
And shew inveited by the solar beam,

There where the margin? 8 daisy-mantled side

Shelves down to kiss the congregated tide,

An ancient palace stood,-—the lov’d retreat

0f Britain’s Monarchs from the toils of state;
Where, dropt theweight of diademic power, ‘

The King, in private, spent the tranquil hour;

New schemes contriv’d, or ponder’d on the past,

Nor felt time slow1y lag, nor fly too fast.

On entering the park from Woodstock,
these present themselves on a bold elevation
beyond the river, at a small distance from
the bridge: their growth is luxuriant; their
foliage of the most vivid green; they spread
their broad arms On every side, and seem to
guard the spot with religious veneration.
Though their appearance is cheerful, though
the pensive has no share in'the picture; a.‘
philosophic mind can scarcely view them,
without impressions more strong than the
most splendid ruin could have eXWCitede.
At the sight of a ruin, it is natural to in-
dulge reflection on past) scenes, to recal
images of ancient grandeur, and to connect .
what remains with what is lost. _ Here we
cannot connect, but we‘may creater-Fancy
is at liberty to raise the pile, to fashionjts

' Ornaments, and to adapt itS~appendages

Q

 

 

11:4 , DESCRIPTION OFBLENHEIM.

withOut a guide, and Without controul; and

. fancy will ever exceed 1‘ealities;—-—We thus

erect the ViSionary palace;———we people it
with the gay, the illustrious, and the good;

‘ we listen to the voice of melody—we pour-

tray the Sprightly dance, the proud'levee;
---at once they vanish; and We awake to
the receilection of the vanity of art, and
the ravages of time, which here shew their
completest triumph. Of the regal dome,
hit a Wreck remains; and Where kings gave

’ audlence, and va’ssals knelt, the herds crop

the velvet green*.

. 'Campos ubi Troja fuit.
6hlivioh‘broods upon'the levell’d lawn,
And fly the tints by history’s pencil drawn.
The tiirf—grown palace shews .uo antique tower
Nor wail the loves in Rosamonda’s Bower.

This place can beast a very remote anti:

'quity. History Informs us, that King Ethel-
i'ecl, Who began his reign «in 866, held a

parliament at WoOdstock palace; and Lam-

‘ 3‘ Onj thriving the ground in the vicinity, in 1791, several natural
and artificial curiosities were discovered; among the rest, some coins
of the Roman Emperors. Might not a Roman villa have originally

occupied the spot? The situation was worthy of that distinctioh and
"probably enjoyed it.

 

PARK. ' 1.15

hard, in his Collection of Saxon Laws, rea-
cites several statutes then and there enact.-
ed.‘ His bro ther, the illustrious ALFRED,
who mounted the throne in 872, not only
ocCasionally resided at Woodstock, but,
according to a. MS. in the Cottonian librat-
.ry, spent so much of the little space here,
in which he was disengaged from his nua-
rnerous wars, that he translated Boat/tins
dc Consolatz'one th’losop/zz'w; and about the
same time he is supposed to have founded
the University of Oxford, or rather to have
restored it. '

Here sacred ALFRED, victor of his foes,

Indulg’d a studious, and a mild repose;
~1"‘Indre'w the veil that wrapp’d the moral page, ‘
And sooth’d by classic arts a barbarous age!
Bade science bloom with renovated grace,

And clasp the Muses in a close embrace.

Camden, in his Britannia, says, that King
~Ethelred, father of Edward the Confessor,
“ Apud Woodstock olim ordinum conven-

tUm habuit, et leges tulit;” that is, held a .
convention of the states at Woodstock, and .

paSsed law. And from the censual roll, or

survey made in the 18th year of William the ‘

Conqueror, Commonly called Doomsday
Book, it appears that‘VVoodstock was then
Q 2

 

 

 

 

 

‘1 1 5 onscarrnox or BLENHEIM.

a borough,- and that the demesneis were at; ,
{crested.. Rous, the historian, tells us, that
this was therfirst park in England: in point
90f, natural beauty and, ' elegant 'embellisha-
fmen‘ts, it still maintains priority! Dugdale
seems to be of Rous’s Opinion; and William
softnMal‘mesbury, and'others, inform us, that
,~King Henry I. furnished it with foreign wild
abeast, whichheprocured from other princes,
Orbought up at a great expenCe. Cer-
‘ tain it is, that this monarch at least beau-
rtified the palace, and surrounded the’ park
with a wall, which in many places still re-
mains; whether he built them from the
ground is by no means so clear*.

At the mention of Woodstock, the name
of Henry II. naturally occurs: for who, has
not heard of HENRY and ROSAMOND ! This
celebrated beauty was daughter 'of Walter
'Lord Clifford. At the early age of fifteen
she possessed sufficient charms tocaptivate

* No1: oniy the-park, but the town of Woodstock was made i'by
Henry I. And. indeed the town soon flourished on account of the
‘ famous park, wLELAND’s Collect. »

The town of New Woodstock, however, is certainly more ancieht
_ than the reign of Henry I. thongh it is probable it might thm rise
‘ into some consequence. Nevertheless, as the. name implies, its origin
is much [933 remote than that of Old Woodstock, which 13 still one of
the demesne-towns, and has vestiges remaining of its former greater
extent. ‘ ' '

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Pram: - 1 i _ ii?

a: Warrior king, who seduced her from. her
friends, and erected a BOWER for her re-
ception, and a labyrinth by which her ro-
mantic retreat might communicate with the
palace, and prevent any surprisal' from the
vindictive jealousy of his Queen.

This precaution, however, is said to have
proved ineffectual, and that the lovely I'frail
one at length fella victim to the resentment
of the injured and the implacable Eleanor.

Ill-fated-fair! by HENRY led astray,

And taught to tread Seduction’s thorny way;
Lur’d from parental arms, ere prudence’ call
Fix’d Virtue’s wish, or pilot-ur’d Vice’s fall;
Immur’d by Love in solitary bow-ers,

And doom’d to wither like the desert flowers "l

The manner of her discoverv, and the
nature of her death, are variously related,
and much disputed; and authentic history

..‘does not furnish us with a clue to umavel
”them...’ It is probable, however, that she
fellthe victim of disease, and that the le—
'::gend of her being poisoned by Eleanor has
,no foundation in truth. Rosamond was
buried in the choir of Godstow nunnery,
_ near Oxford, Where a magnificent tomb was

“7””, .’ at,“ F, .1. .1, - 1-H.“ .1. . " "

   

3.

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a 1 .335»; fim »;

 

118 DESCRIPTION or BLENHEIM.

erected to her memory*, , surrounded with
, tapers continually burning ;till the begin-
ning of King Richard’s reign, when Hugh
Bishop of Lincoln, in his primary visitation,
, coming to Godstow; and being ofi'ended at
the extiaordinary veneration he. saw paid ‘
to a woman of her unfortunate description,
burst into a fit of zeal, and ordered her re-
mains to beiremoved, and deposited in a
less sacred place. Hisinjunction was com-
plied with; and the nuns interred her 111
theii chapte1 -house, covering her grave
with a flat stone, on which was inscribed
no more than "TOMBA ROSAMUNDI. What
is now ‘shewn for Rosamond’s tomb, and
some" miserable verses reCorded as her epi#
taph, are only inventions to amuse the cre-
dulous, and baits for the ignorant. at the
dissolution of the monastry more important
objects were obliterated, more singular cir‘
cumstances consigned to oblivion.

‘P See notices of Rosamond’s Tomb in theGentleman’s Magazine
for November 1791, p. 985; and of the foundation of Godstow, in the
~ same work for August 1787, p. 676. It stands in a low meadow be-

tween Wolvercot and Wytham, surrounded by different branches of
the Isis. What is called the Chapel now Serves for cattle to take
shelter in. A few of the bounding Walls and some ancient arches
are the only other remains of this once celebrated nunnery.

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PARK. ' 119

Guriosity, will be eager to be gratifiedwith
an account of her bower, her; labyrinth, and
her bath; circumstances so universally
known by report, and so intimately con~
nected With the scenes described. Of the

bower, there is neither authentic history

nor drawing ‘ extant*—of the labyrinth
some traces of its foundation were discover-
ed, and various utensilsy coins, and anti.-
quities dug up, and presented to Lady Di-
ana Spencer by Kiln? workmen, when the
ground was levelling by order of the first
Duke of Marlborough;

The spring that must have supplied her

bath retains her name ; and truly is
“ Healthto the sick, and solace to the swain.”

It is situated in a small dell‘ in the side of
the bill, a little to the westward of the grand
bridge, and a few paces from the edge Of
the lake. It gushes from an artificial aper-
tuie in the stones which line the cavity on
the north to a considerable elevation, with
a fall of nearly two feet, and a copiousness
and equability in { every season, that few
springs "exceedr Scarcely has it Smoothed

4" In Anthony a Wood’s Study, W. 276, there is, however, a de-
scription of Rosamond’s bower, and Woodstock pink, supposed to be

7 written by M1. Aubrey.

i',

. <1;

 

. ~e

 

» 1:20 .nsscnip'riouor BLENHEIM.

its ruffled wave before it is received into a
capacious bath, about five feet deep, and

twenty square, lined-rat the bottom ando‘n

the sides with free-stOne, and fenced with
iron palisades. The water of thebathi is so
pelucid and tranquil, that it reflects objects
like a mirror; and for this purpose poets
and lovers have assigned it to beauty, which
seemsto be indigerioushere. , I 7, _ '7

-. The, facing over the fall is formed of a.
dusky coloured stone; the layers terminate
abruptly on the sides with the resemblance
of a ruin ;, and the whole has the air of an-
tiquity. To " increase this appearance, it
bears many marks of the universal passion
--—TH‘E‘ LOVE or FAME. This has prompted
numbers to carve the initals of their names,
and the year of the exploit, with character-‘
istic rudeness, and with, a seeming zeal for
their preservation. In one, part we see V i
names which now, "perhaps, have no other .
memorial; in another, recent efforts to im-
press a remembrance, by obliterating what.

_ former engravers have left as monuments of

their existence. Thus it is in life; in - the,
most, important transactiOns, in the greatest
performances. - ’ y ‘

In a solitude like this, where the subject

 

 

 

 

 

.W’

“‘5.

 

   

 

51nd the scene are apt to inspire pensive
thoughts, such traces are not unpleasings
they tend to promote one general effect, to .

Which every circumstance here contributes
~—--the love of contemplation. The haw-

thorn, mixed With woodbines and other!

shrubs, overhangs the spring ,and forms a.

deep irregular shade, the gadding 1V3 and,

Its congenerous plants clasp the stones that
line the precipice,» and fill up the fissures
and interstices with their roots. ”Behind
' rises a grove, Which is rapidly thickening
’ its gloOm, and assisting to fender the spot
more sequestered. The birds carol around;

the nightingale, perhaps, pours fOI'Lll her?

plaintive notes; and the dashing of the
water, unites with the reverberations of the
neigthuring echo, to cherish aSOothing'
melancholy. When this mood has l)ee11
indulged till relief becOmes desirable, We
may turn to the palace. The aspect on this,
hand is mere cheerful and open. The 50111-3
7 be, how ever still prevails, particularly at
even: it is inseparable from the season and
the spOt. The following inscription was
penned under its influence, on a report
that an URN was intended to be erected over
R.

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122 nascmprios oMLENHE‘iM.

the spring: if the verse should be neglected,
let the moral berememberedl
INSQRIPTIQN.
Ye Fair}! Who tread in Plea3ure’s mafzy' Round,
"Where many a Snare, and many ~a Gulph is found;
For once reflect -! with pensive Step draw nigh, ' '
And let this Moral fix Attention’s eye:
I“ Birth, Titles, Fortune,———all that Fate can give,
“ Or thegmost favour’d of your Sex receive; r
'5‘ Youth’s blooming Grace, ev’n ROSAMO'NDA’S charms,
“ All that delights, or captivates and warms, \
“ Weigh’d in the Scale ”against Virtue, are but'vain—w
“ Link’d‘ with fair Virtue, deathless Wreaths’obtain;
“ While Vice lives only in the Roll of Fame, I
“ To wake your Pity, or to warn from Shame.”

At Woodstock Palace, Henry 11. re.—
ceived the homage of Malcolm, King of
Scotland, and Rice, Prince of Wales, in
116-4; and likewise conferred the honour of .
knighthood on J efl‘rey, surnamed Plantagev

net his second son by the fair Rosamond. '
'The nuptials of the Lady Ermeng’ard,
} daughter of Richard Viscount Beaumont,
f < , cousin to Henry, with WILLIAM King of
i ‘ Scotland, were also celebrated here with,
the utmost magnificence, for four succes—
sive days. '

In 1275., Edward I called aparliament

mes?

 

PARK; ' , 123

at this place, and here Edmund, his Sea

, cond son was born, from thence called Ed- '

mund of Woodstock; as well as EDWARD,

eldest son of Edward III. commonly known ,

by the appellation of the Black Prince,
whose early valour and brilliant exploits,
joinedto the most polished and conciliating
manners, endear his memory to every lover
of his country. This gallant prince, who
died at the age of forty~six, is said once to
have resided atthe mansion, anciently called
PRINCE" 8 PLACE, now the residence of Dr.
Mavor.

Illustrious EDWARD, " on thy natal hour,

'W'ith partial aSpects shone each heavenly pow’r;

TRACE from her olive throne triumphant sung,

And fierce BELLONA many a Pman rung ,

The gentle Arts with approbation smil’d,

And W ar’s wild offspring hail’d their favourite child.
0 ! fitted, or to shine in martial pride,

When hostile legions press on every side;

0r give to Science all her native charms,

And Conquer MINDS, by Reason’s nobler arms!

Fain wcmld the Muse a lasting wreath entwine,

To deck with vivid bloom thy brow divine:

Fain would she sing of Pmcnaas’ tented field,

And with the Lily grace thy sable shield ;,

But NATURE’S charms recal her wild career,

And fire her, ardent, to a meeter sphere!

WoodstOCk is'likevvise the birth-placed
B. .2 ‘

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€1.24 DESCRIPTiON or: BLENHEIM.

THOMAS, the sixth son‘of Edward III.sur-1
named 111 history flow the site of his nae

‘

To enumerate all the remarkable lI'lCl-r
dents relative to Woodstock Park, wouldbe
to cmnpose a large voluine*.~~ It was long

“the scene of regal pomp and festivity, and
productive of various interesting events,

many of which are, no doubt, carried down
the stream of time, and forgotten. .

Here Henry III. in 1238, narrowly es:-
eaped assassination, by a person named
Ribbaud, whosuffered- for his meditated
treason; here John Hastings, Earl 01 Pem-
broke, was slain, at a Christmas festivity
in the reign of Richard II. and here an at-
tempt was made 011 the life of Henry VIII
by William Morisco. ,

CHAUCER, the father 0f English poetry,
spent some of his happiest hours at this
place: iteven contends for the honour of
his birth, and unquestionably he has made
it classic ground; ii The park was the scene
of his, fayOUrite wanderings; and many of

' the rural descriptions in his poems are bor-

'1" The author of this Description has for several years been making
collections for a History of Woodstock Whether it will ever ap-
pear before the public must depend on Health and other circum-
itances. , ‘

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.. . ,,

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. #6.;

max.” .‘ ’ ' ' 4121-5, .. y . 1
rowed from thence. In his poem of the l
Cuckoo. and the Nightingale, we may trace 7
his morning waik from his own house down A , ‘
the vale, through which the > cGlyme used to '
Wind within its na1 row banks, before it was
expanded by art. In his Dream, too, he
describes the Bower, as a white castle with
its sylvan accompaniments ‘of maples; If
we make allowance for the rust of age, and
the obsolete modes of diction that now ob-A

--sc11re‘his works, no one has ever equalled

1 him in the va1 lous walks of poetry he

F adOpted.

i ‘ . Chaucer’ s house was situated at the right
angle of the area before the triumphal gate,
which has been previouslv mentioned: the

/ site is at present the property of Mr. Prior;
and though few remains of antiquity are
now to be traced, the traveller of taste never
fails to eye the spot with afond enthusiasm:

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be ventrates the resid nce of original ge- , 3
flies, and blames that spirit ofimprovement C
which has obliterated vestiges, that ought ‘5
to have been deemed sacred by every Briton. __
Several writers of reputation mention ahuge _ ‘ 3.
folio volume of his works in MS. chained 3
to a, reading desk in his house, and which ' Q i

:55 said to have been extant in the beginning

   
  

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126 DESCRIPTION OF BLENH‘EIM.

of the last century, or the end of the pre-
ceding; that it once existed we have no
doubt; but the precise time when it disap-
peared, and what has become of it, are to-
tally unknown. ’

AKENSIDE’S inseription for a statue of the
‘ ancient bard, though his memory does not
Stand in need of such frail memorials, nor
is likely to obtain them, will not be improa
perly. subjoined, nor appear inapplicable
to the purpose for which it was intended.

‘ Such was old CHAUCER, such the placid mien
Of him who first with harmony inform’d
The language of our Fathers. Here he dwelt
For many a cheerful day. These ancient walls
Have often heard him while his legends blithe
He sang of love or knighthood, or the wiles
Of homely life, thro’ each estate and age
The fashions and the follies of the world ,

I‘ With cunning hand pourtraying. Tho’ perchance
From BLENHEIM’S towers, O stranger thou art come '
Glowing with CHURCHILL’s trophies, yet in vain
Dost thou applaud them, if thy breast be cold
To him, this other hero, who in times

. Dark and untaught, began with charming verse
To tame the rudeness of his native land. I

With regard to the former celebrity of
this'place, we cannot forbear adding, that
1 the Princess ELIZABETH was confined in

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. PARK. / 107

d

the Manor House, by her cruel sister, Queen

Mary, under the Care of Sir Henry Bed-.

dingfield: and that‘her life was once in the-
most imminent. danger, from a fire that
broke out under the room where she slept:

but whether this fire was kindled intention;

ally, or merely through accident, remains

among the number of undeveloped myste-r

ries with which the path of antiquity‘is
strewed. »

Yet cannot birth, or fortune’s powerful claim,
Beauty’s fair form, or virtue’s heavenly flame,
From life’s fell cares their lov’d possessors free,
Else, Why, ELIZA, frown’d the fates on thee.
'Why dropp’d the tear, as from the lattice seen,
The rural maiden, singing, cro‘ss’d the green?
But that [you felt the crime of being great,

And grac’d a prison, ere you rul’d a state ".

While here, she is reported to have shed
tears on seeing a milk-maid, singing, pass
before the window of \her prison, and to
have expressed a wish that she had been
born to a situation as humble and as happy;
a circumstance on which the elegant and
plaintive Shenstone has beau tifully enlarged.

Hark to yonder milk-maid singing
Cheerly o’er the brimming pail ;

Cowslips all around her springing,
SWeet-ly paint the golden vale.

 

 

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128 . « DESCRIPTION" 0F"'13'LEi~IH‘Ef1ii.-».
Never yet did courtly maiden
Moire so sprightly, look so fair,

Never breast With jewels laden
Pour a song so void of care.

Would indulgent Heaven had granted
Me some rural damsel’s part 3

All the empire [had wanted
Then, had been my Shepherd’s heart.

The following verses were written with
charcoal on the window-shutter of the room
where she was confined. They are the
composition of a great Queen, and derive
their chief merit from this peculiarity.

. 0h Fortune ! how thy restlesse wavering state ‘
Hath fraught with cares my troubled Witt,
Witness this present prisonn whither Fate
COuld hear me, and the joys I quit.

‘ Thou causedst the guiltie to be losed
; From bandes wherein are innocents inclosed ;
Causing the guiltles to .be straites reserved,
1 And freeing those‘that death well deserved;
‘ But by her malice can be nothing wroughte;
So God send to my foes all they have. thou ghte;
7 ELMABETHE PRISONER;

Anne Dom. 1555‘

, During the time of the 'civil wars, the
Palace, as has been previously mentioned,
suffered irreparable damage, bya resoiute
siege it sustained; but was still iartner in-

muyfi- :2.- _» "m-‘MW‘WWWJ‘C‘WA

 

 

guitar, ' r . - 129

jured by the mercenary and rapacious dis-e,
position of the usizrper and his dependants,
by Wthnpartof the very materials were
exposed to sale in 1653*. ‘The commisg
Sioners who assembled here in 13649, by
order of the Rump Parliament, to survey
the royal property, and. who had taken UP
their residence in the king’s apartments,
' Were terribly alarmed by supposed spirits,
which incessantly disturbed their rest du-_
ring their stay: but the real actor in this
farce was gone Joe Collins, sincecalled the
Merry Devil 0f Woodstock, though at that.
time dignified With the epithet ovaust.
This man, it seems, was a royalist, and
anxious to impress the commissioners with.
an idea of supernatural agency against their
proceedings; and, perhaps, their own con-g.
sciences aided the imposture.

A circumstance of this kind would have
been deemed unworthy regard, had it'not
been to introduce a remark on the triumph

* It appears that Lieutenant General Fleetwood obtained a grant
of the Manor House and its appurtenances, which he sold for 1000
, Pounds, Several pictures from the Collection here are still di sperscd
in the nemhbouihood 'lhe taste of Charles I. is unix ersally acknow-
iedgedp

S

 

 

130 . nascnip'riou Or BLENHEIM.

of true philosophy“, and the decline of sue":
'perstition. A learned professor in the Uni-'1!

versity, in the reign of Charles II. fills
several pages of his hook 0n the Natural
History of Oxfordshire, with a detail of the
pranks of this imaginary demon, among)
other reveries as ridiculoUs, which at this
period. would dngrace the belief of anilityi

‘ Mr. VViddowes, likewise, who was then in-

Cumhent of Woodstock, kept a Diary,
which the story of the apparitions is related.
This silly work was published in 1660, and
with it a short survey of Woodstock, taken
from ancient authors.

A few abridged EXTRACTS from the am
cient CUSTOMS of the ‘l‘lANOR of W001)-
STOCK, taken in the reign of Edward VI._
will still farther gratify curiosity, from‘
their intimate connection with the subject
of this manual. '

'To the manor and honour of Woodstock

*1 Since the first publication'of this work, however, we have had
occasion to lament that a spurious phiIOSOphy, which when real, en~
lightens and humanizes the heart, has evinced stronger prejudices and
sanctioned greater enormities than ever could be charged on igno.
tance and fanaticism. 'lhe delusions of ignorance are. either pitiable
or laughable. but the pride of false philosophy, that spurns at religioi
and morals, is e-xecrablemd tremendous.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DARK: , 1 3 l

' helong seven demesne towns or Villages,”

.HORDLEY, WOOTTON, COMBE, STONES-

FIELD, HANDBOROUGH, BLADON, and Old

WOODSTOCK, the tenants Of which are dis-.-
charged f1om tolls 111 all fairs and markets,
and possess other particular privileges.

There are three several kinds of land in
this manor, DEMESNE, or BURY — LAND,
FREE LAND, and CUSTOMARY LAND, the lat-
ter of which descends to the youngest $011
or daughte1 as hein

The free tenants and customary tenants-

in the demesne towns have interchangeably
the right of common in all waste grounds
within the limits of the manor, and also 1n
Ensham,‘ F awler, Charlbury, Northleigh,
Ditchley, Kiddington, and Glympton; but
from the different inclosures that have taken
' place, by act of parliament, this privilege is
now wholly lost; nor has any allotment been
made in lieu of it, except in one or two
instances.

The Customary tenants of Handborough,
Combe, and Bladon, were bound to cut and
make all the grass growing in Woodstock
park, for: which every township Was to have
Sixpence in money, oritwo Gallons of Ale.
The customary tenants of Hordvley, by ta.

S 2

,:,..«9.._fl——w—Vr— »» -~*'~-- v—

 

 

132 . nEscm-P'riori or! BLENHEIM.

n‘ure,we‘re‘to sweep and make blean' allth’é
chambers in the manor hOuse, as often” as
the king visited it, for? which they were: to
reCeive two castes of‘ bread and two gallons
of ale ; and the" owner of the manOr place of
~_ Combe‘ in like manner was to clean-all jakes
and! privies‘ within and abOut' the king’s
manor of Woodstock. ’

The Lord ofStaunton HardoUrtg by tenure,
was to‘ find foUr broW‘sers' in Wobdstdclé ‘
park, at any time when the snow should
fall and lie for the space of two days, in
order to furnish provisions for the deer;
and every broWser was allovv’ed'to harry” to
his lodgingas long as the snow lasted,‘ a
billet of wood, every night, the" length of
his ake helm, and to be borne onhis‘ax‘e’s
ea'g’é; The king’s bailiff of the hundredof
'WQOtton was to give warning of the brow:
S'ers‘ being Wanted, by bloWing a: born at thé.
manor gate of Staunton' Harcourt, 0n WhiCh
he was to be served With a caste of bread;
a‘gallon of ale, and a piece of cheese ;7 and
the“ said Lord of Staunton HarcOurt, as'ai
compensation, was to haveone buck in
summer and one doe in Winter out of
Woodstock park. -

The tenants of the seven de‘me-Sne towns

 

 

 

 

 

 

an

PARK: 1333‘:

and the town of Woodstock were used and.
bound to drive and keep the deer for View,
as often as the, king shOuld‘ come, to his
manor of Woodstock, or his majesty should
order his game to be vieWed by any other
person, Without any fee or reward. ‘
. The cuStomary tenants of the demesne
toWns were bound to carry the hay growing
on the meads in Woodstock park to the
king’s barn, for the support of the deer in
‘winter, for, which they 'were to have seven-
pence a day, and to be allowed, on going

home, to carry ofl‘ as much hay as would
lie in the bed of 'theirr‘cart's’.

 
  

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* 1‘34 Woonsrocxi

WOODSTOCK.

'I‘HE ancient borough of “WOODSTOCK;
Which gives the title of Viscount t0’ the
Duke of Portland, is situated. on an emi:
nence, near the banks of the Glyme, and
enjoys every-loc’al advantage that can con-
tribute. either to health or pleasure. The‘
amenity of the Situation can only be ex—
ceeded by the purity of the air, which Is SO"
great, that the valetudinary have frequently
been recommended to breathe it.

Here Woonsrocic, erst amid the sylvan some“,

Lifts her high b‘row, and, happy, smiles serene:
WOODSTOCK, belov’d by DIAN’ s huntress train,

What time those shades confess’d the goddess’ reign;

Woodstockyiias a borough by prescrip,‘
tion, long before it was incorporated, as
appears by the rolls'of parliament. In 1453,

it reCeived its first charter from Henry VI;

This has been confirmed,- enlarged, or al-
tered by Edward IV. Henry VII. Edward
VI. Elizabeth, James I. and Charles II.-

The charter granted by the latter, is that;
under which the Corporationnow act, and“

is almost the counterpart of. that of New

as in was faimerly within the! limits or Whach'wood‘ Forést.

Woonsroem‘ i . 135' 1

Windsor. A restrictive Charter- forced upon
the borough, in the fourth of James II. was

soon after set aside by proclamation, when ,

the former franchises were restored.
ABSTRACT of l the principal privileges and
exemptions of the Boroligh of New Wood-1
stock, from the Charter of Charles II.
I. The Corporation, under the stile and
"title of the Mayor and Commonalty of the
Borough of New Woodstock, is to enjoy

the same liberties and free customs which
the burgesses of New Windsm use and ene-

JOY

II. A Mayor and a sergeant at mace are i

to be chosen annually on‘the Monday be;
fore the feast of St. Matthew the evangelist,
at which time two Chamberlains are also to
the elected from the Common Council, to
serve for the next year.
C III. The Corporation and Freemen are
exempted from toll in all boroughs, vills,
and demesnes throughout the whole king-
dom of England.

IV. The Mayor, &c. is to have the power“
of settling all matters within the borough’
and of fixing the assize of bread.

’j
A
1:

,..
1

i

 

 

 

1-36” 1 moons—roan. '

V. The Corporation‘is to consist Of 5V?
Aldermen, one of whom/is to be Mayor,a. ._
High Steward, a Recorder, two Chamber-v
lains, and a Common Clerk, with fifteen
capital Burgesses, making 111 all twenty ~five.

VI. The Corporation assembled 1n their
Guildhall, have power to make laws and
regulations for the better improvement of
the vill, which are to be binding.

VII. The Mayor may hold a court of re-
cord the first Monday of every month. ‘

VIII. Aldermenxand COmmon Council
are to serve for the term of their natural
lives, unless they resign, or are removed
f01 ill behaviour.

IX. The High Steward, Recmder, and
Common Clerk to be approved by the King.

X. The Magistrates to have the power
of trying all and every kindof felony, wz'tc/z— _
craft, .enchantment, 8L0. but not to deter.
mine any matter touching the “loss of life
or member,-.without the King’s special com-
mission. , ‘ ' ‘

XI. The Mayor, Aldermen, High Stew«-
ard, and Recordei to be justices of the
peace; and under a warrant signed by any
two of them, persons acCused of crimes.
may be committed to the county gaol. '

«NW - a“
,,,,,v - R

 

 

woonsrocx, 1,37,

XII. It may and, shall be lanul fur the
Mayor and Commonalty to chnse two burn~
gesses to se1ve in Pailiament.

Though this piivilege Is now given op-'

t-ionally, yet by aformer charter this bo-~
rough was specially exempted from being

COInpellable tosend two members, out of

royal grace and favour, on account of the
,eXipence attending the eXercise of this fran:
chise, when representatives iwere paid f0r
their service in parliament. \ i i i
The present representatives me the Hon
William Frederic Elliot Eden, one of the

,Telle-rs of the Exchequer, and Sir Henry

Watkin Dashwood, Bart. ofKirtlington Park,
in this neighbourhood, .1

The. Duke of MarlbOrough is Lord High

’Steward, and James Blackstone, Esq. is

ReCorder. Several Recorders of this bo-
rough have been Tustices of Wales.

The paiish or chapeliy of New Wood~
stock, including the hamlet of Remington,
both originally appendant to Bladon, icon-g
tains about two hundred and fifty houses
Or separate tenements, and upwards of tour—-
teen hundred inhabitants.

Within these few years, the town has been
much improved, both in buildings and the

SF

 

 

 

 

7‘ 3

138 WOODSTOCK

respectability of their occupiers , and in.
many essential respects, it is impossible to
‘find a more desirablé residence.

The seat of Pryse Pryse, Esq. and the
Rectory, both commanding beautiful views
over the lake and the northern part of the
park, are universally admired for their situ—
ation; while He11s1ngton House, the resi—
'dence of James Blackstone, Esq. as it pos—
sesses every advantage of pleasing prOs-
pects, ornamental grounds, and other rural
appendages, forms one of the most desirav
hle villas 111 this vicinity.

Among the ornaments, however, of this
place, whether viewed 111 a moral or an are
chitectural light, may be reckOned the
Olegant ALMS:HOUSES, near the entrance
Of the Borough from Oxford, erected and
liberally endowed in l 793, by Carohne
Duchess of Marlborough, for six pear
widows.

Power, riches, and grandeur, are little to
he envied, except when they are exerted tO‘
promote the less fortunate merltorious,
‘and to relieve the distressed. It 18 the ex;
ercise of those qualities alone that can
render them amiable 1n the eyes of others,
or a real pleasure to their possessors. May

 

i

woossrbca 1939 ‘

,. this example of beneficence serve as an in-
V Centive to otherSi
M The immunities and franchises cOnferred
On this borough, by the favour of o11r a11~
cient sovereigns, will be seen from the forea
going ABSTRACT to be very Considerable.
Queen Elizabeth in particulai was a great
benefactor; she bestowed 0n the Mayor and
Commonalty four shops and thirteen coté
tages, formerly belonging to the dissolved
’iiliantry Of our Lad y in Woodstock, together
With-a Certain marsh; called the Lee Poo],
110w Converted into fertile meadoWS, which
let fOr about four guineas per acre. ' ~
A The TOWN HALLIis a Stately modem-
stone edifice, and was built at the sole e'x-s
‘ pence of the present High Stewardi

The CHURCH has amoder’n front and a.
handsmne neW tower, with a ring of eight
\bells, and melodious chimes, which go every
faur hours, and play a different tune for
every day in the week. It contains an Organ;
and, is Well pewed, and well attended.

It was granted to the Corporation by
Henry VIII. on disSolving King John’ s
’ chantry; but the patronage is in the gift of
the Marlborough family. Notwithstanding

the ancient celebrity of the place, there:
i i i V ' T 2 ”

 

 

 

   

 

 

'1 110, Woodstock".

are few monuments deserving notice: 1101"

are the i11Scriptions remarkable fer elea'
‘ gance, if we except that on the small tablet

erected to the memory of the late recto1,
Dr. Thomas King, C h—ancello1 of , Lincoln,
which is equally simple and beaiitiful;

The COAT ARMOUR, cRnsT, an (l’sUPPoa'rEas,

o? the town of New Woodstock, were thus,

blazo‘ned by R1cha1 d Lee, Esq. in 1574.
Arms. In a field, gules, three stags heads
cabossed, and the stock of an oak t1 ee in
base, argent, a border of the second charged
with oak leaves, vert. i
, Crest. On a helmet waper issuing out of
a coronet ducal, an oak t1ee, proper.
Supporters. Two wild men with their
clubs proper, mantled gules, doubled, argent.
Motto RAM031 CORNUA CERVL—
T 126 branchmg km 113 Qf t/ie stag.

A GRAMMAR SCHOOL was founded an(Ix
endowed here, in 1580, by Mr. Cornwell, 3. ~‘

native of the place, under a royal Licence
from Queen Elizabeth. Three freehold
houses in the borough, a close adjoining,

in Hensington, a rent charge of eight pounds
a year, issuing out of lands in Childrey,
Berks, and an annuity of four pounds a year
paid by the Skinners Company, Londbn,

*‘Woonsroefc. 1-41,
form the endonent. The Corporation
are Trustees. The master must be a person
in holy or.ders
i The INNS furnish the best entertainment
‘ i and accommodation to travellers of every
' description. These are “the BEAR, MARL—
BOROUGH ARMS, ANGEL, 6w. Lying on the
great Irish Road, the inns are full of busi—
ness, at ail seasons of the year; and nearly
a dozen Stage and Mail Coaches pass and
repass daily to and from London, sides a
iVVoodstocli, Coach, thrice a week, called
the Blenheim, w-m h isa great aceommoda- ‘
tion to the town and neighbourhood.
The principal manufactures are polished
steel and gloves, and in both branches, the
peculiar excellence of their fabrics has
gained them distinguished lure-eminence.
In'one respect, they have left the fable of
Midas no longer an object of wonder: at
their touch, the old nails of a horse-shoe are
converted into articles of infinitely greater '
price, according to their weight, than the ' ‘
purest gold. A chain made here, weighing
. only two ounces, was sold in France for 1701
: sterling. The manufacture of polished steel
’ was introdu ; ed here by a Mr. Metcalfe, about
the beginning of the laSt’ century ; but is now '

- , w.h_lm—WWWW WW'T‘W‘" """‘"', W" " .
"1—" , W ,.
¢ \
r

 

   

a 11:42 Worshsrock. - * ,

much declined vofi account of the cheapness
of the Birmingham and Sheffield wareS5
though” in elegance still unrivalled The‘
glove trade, hdwever; is extremely flourish-
g,a11'd employs many hands About 350

._ dozen pairs are made weekly 111 the. Town;
and the neighbouring villages. The deli-
.1.be of the leather and the neatness of the
wmkmanship, distinguish the Woodstock

gloves from all other.

i A vei y respectable BANK has lately been
established here under the firm of Messrs.

_ R. Cox,- J1 Morrell, F.» Cox, and R15Morrell.‘
About thirty years ago5 in pulling dewn‘

an' old building near the el11’1rch5 several
pieces of ancient coiri were fou11d5 and

- among them, two of the Emperor VESPA“:
SEAN, with this insiciiption round the head,» ‘
in; characters very legible? and neat: _ VES- '
1>~As11VUs1R0MQIMP1 Am. 011 the reVerse‘5
JU‘DEA CAPT“ Indeed Roman (coins are
still casually found here._ That nationiné
dubitably had several stations in this Vici-a
hity5 and probably one at this place; Alectif

7 Castra, or ALCHESTER on the. Akeman, Was
less than ten miles distantf and “the tessel;

. ated pavement near Stonesfield5 as well
asthe Campon CallowHill in the same

 

 

I

';-Iavrx"v".7:lr w M’- r ”awn" '“' ""‘W

WO®D§TOC'K. 14’3“

parish, are unquestionable vestiges of that
”101166 potent people; But this is’not intended
as a work on antiquities—if it were, the.
field is open, and probably may yet be tra-
versed; yet who would prefer exploring
the earth for urns, rusty coins, and half
obliterated castrametations, to the contem-'
plation'of recent art and blooming nature,
arrayed in their gayest dress, anvd'captiva—ts
ing‘ with their brightest charms! ,

w

To the Botanist, the vicinity‘ of W oods
Stock presents a rich variety of plants, many?
of which are either curious or scarce. The"
CH'ERWELL, the GLYME, and the EVEN- ‘
LODE, each produces its appropriate aqua.-
tics. In Blenheim park too, and its imme..‘
diate environs, the general stores of Flora;
are extremely extensive and various. The,
Circhid'eaa in particular seem the denizens
Of the soil; but few of the family are want..-
ing. The following LIST Of the more rare
plants will, it is hoped, be grateful to the
Botanical Student. Few of the CRYPTO-a
QAMIA class are included; yet no district in“

We Kingdom can offer a greater varietyq .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALPHABETICAL

1‘44- :

CATALOGUE 0F PLANTS”;

- 'ACHILUEA'Ptarmica

‘ ‘Adonis aufumnal‘is,
Ajuga 'reptang

Allsma ranun'culoi'des
Anagallis tenvella
awensis (flore

 

Cmruleo.)
Afiemone nemorosé
Anth'yllis vulneraria
Antirrhinum Cymbalaria
spurium

 

 

, /--— majus

 

Aquilegia vulgaris
Arenaria' trinervia
Artemisia Absymhium
Awerula Qdoyata

—— V ‘ , cynanchica’

 

,Asplenium ceterach

 

-- ruta muraria.

 

-—- tgfichomancs

 

‘ um
_Astraga1us glycyrriza
Atropa belladonna

Batonica officinali‘g
Bidens cemua

-—:- $60101) endti-v

 

Brionia aIba; -

Buni u m b ul‘hocastanum,

Butumus umbellatus

Campanula trachelium
- -.-.,.- rotundifolia,‘

 

Cardamine a V: ara
Cerastium aquatgicumI~
Qhelidonium majus
Chironia centaurium
'Chlora perfoliata
Qirczfia lutetiana
Cistus helianthemum
Colqhiqum autumnale

\Cornus sanguinea

Convolvulus sepium
Crataagus aria
tormifialis

 

 

Cynoglossum sylvaticnm

Daphfie laureola,
Dip§acus sylvesttfiis

~Echium vulgare (florg

 

 

Wally-o)
Epilobium hirsutum
villosum
mqntanum

 

iéhA'N‘i‘S:

Epiiobitim ’te’tizag‘onum
Erica vulgaris

Erigeron acre

Ervum tetraSpéi‘Ififim
Eupato‘rium cannabinum
Euphrasia officinalis

’ odontites

 

Fragaria "Vesca
Fritillaria Meleag't‘is

Galeo‘bdolon lutelim
Galiu‘m cruciatum

' palustre
procumbens
‘uligino'sum
Genista :Anglica

 

 

 

tinctoria <
Genfiiana campestris
* amarella.

 

 

Hedysartim onobry'chis
Hippocrepis comosa
Hippuris vulgaris
Hottonia palustris
Hypericum pulchrum
i hirsutum

 

--—1.-’-'- quadrangulum

Iberis amara‘.
Iris p'seudacorus,‘

Lactu‘ca sc‘ariola
Lathraea squamafia
Lathyrus aphaca
sylvestris
Le ucojum “aestivum

 

 

143

Lichnis flos cuculi (flare-

pleno) .

Lycopsis afvéfisis
Lysimachia vulgaris

LythfiSpermum officinald; \_

Lythrum salicaria.
Malva mos’chata
Medicag‘d gativa
Melampyru'm pragens'e‘
Melissa calamintha

Menya-nthes nymphoides“

 

-— trifolia‘ta
Mofiotfupa hypepithys

Myrio‘phyllum verticillaa

tum

Nai‘cissus pseudo-narciise

511:5

 

 

NYmphaEa alba
' latea

 

Oenanthe fistuldsu‘n‘x‘

Ononis spinosa
Ophrys apifera

 

 

 

spiralis

Orch‘is bifO‘Iia

——-:-——’- conopseai
:“ -' latifolia‘

‘ maculata.‘

-—-,_—- masc’ alga

 

 

biflom's
‘ poeticug
. Nepeta cataria

;" aranifera
muscifera,

' - 4. ‘.»:~'W,ng~.m

«m: a “'

 

 

 

14.6 ; PLANTS;

Orchis morio .
‘ pyramidalié'

 

 

ustulata‘ \
Ornithogalxu-m ltiteu'in
Orobanche'majof
Orobus t'uberosu’s
Oxalis acetosella

Parnassia palustrisr
Pedicularis palustris
.—————-———-—‘-«--' sylvati-ca
Pinguicula vulgati—s
Poly gala vulgaris
Polygonum bistorta
amphibian}

 

Polypodium vulgare
--— filix-mas

 

Potamogeton natams

 

Crispum
lucens

 

Poterium §anguisorba
Prunus padus

Ranunculus flam mu‘Iai

 

--- hederaceus

 

'lingua

 

sceleratus
Rumex acetosella

, Sagittaria sagittifolia .
Salvia verbenaca

 

- pratensis

> Sambucus ebulus
Samolus valerandi
Sanguisorba officina‘lis‘
Sanicula Europaza
Saponaria officinalis
Satyrium viride

 

Saxifraga granufdt'a't
Scabiosa succisa‘
Scutellaria gal‘ericulaw
Sedum dasyphy‘llum

 

telephium
Serapi’asgrandiflorhfi
- latifolia '
- longifolia

 

 

Sherardia arvensis
'Sisymbrium amphibium‘
Solanum dalcamara (flora
albo) , ‘
Sorbus auduparid
Spartium 'scoparium‘
Spergula nodosa
Spiraea filii'pendula
Stachys Germani'ca
Symphytum officinale
-- .. patens

 

Thalictrum flavufir
Tilia Europaa
Tormentilla erecta.
Trifolium flexuosum
Turritis hirsute.
Tussilago farfara

 

.petasites
Typha latifolia
Valeriana officinalis
dioica
Veronica officinalis

 

serpyllifolia
--————-’-—— scutellata.
Vicia cracca

 

_ sylvatica.‘
Vinca minor

 

NOTICES

T0
PARTIES 0F PLEASURE.

W

THE UNIVERSITY of OXFORD is cer-
tainly the principal object of attraction in
the vicinity of BLENHEIM, and will amply
repay the traveller for allotting a day or two
to an inspection, of the colleges, libraries,
paintings, and other cariosities.-—~.dfler this,
the elegant seat of EARL HARCOURT at
NUNEHAM justly claims pre-eminence. Other
capital objects, which are frequently inclndetl
in a tour If pleasure to Blenheim, are DITCH-
LEY, the beautgfitl mansion g" the Right
Honourable LORD VISCOUNT DILLON, which
has been recently fitted up ; it contains some
[fine paintings, chiefly portraits; and HEY-
“THROP, the agreeable seat (f the EARL of
SHREWSBURY, in the road to which ENSTONE
WATER WORKS may be visited.

STOW, the magnificent domain of the blast '

Noble the MARQUIS of BUCKINGHAM, though
situated in another county, and at the distanCe
U. 2.

 

 

 

NOTICES To PART-ms 017 PLEASURE;

9f twenty mzles, may lz'lccwzse be indzcated in
#223 paw? (f the kingdom ,--—-and no traveller qf‘

taste ought to miss we opportumty of paymg

it a wszt

The BRITISH TOURISTS wz’l befozmd an
useful and agreeable travellmg appendage
through. any part {if the united kingdom. 4
new and enlarged edition of tins favourzta
«work Izas lateéy been publzs/zcd

 

 

ITINERARY

01’

Some Qf the most frequented Routes from W oonsrocx.

, No, I.
To London, by Wycomée,

Miles from

 

 

Woodstock.
Oxford j l 8
Wheatley-bridge 6 I 1i
TetsWorth 8 20
Stoken Church , ~4- 26
West Wycombe
High Wycombe‘ 7 33
Beaconsfield 5—;- 38%
Uxbridge 8% 4'7
Hayes 8 50
'Tyburn Turnpike 12 4 6‘2

REMARKS.

Thoughthis road is four miles
nearer the Metropolis than the fol-
lowing, it is much less frequented.
The vieWs from Stoken Church
hills are certainly very fine ; but
after passing Wycombe, the road
runs along a rich champaign, but
uninteresting country to London,
without either near or remote
objects to amuse the eye.

No, II.

To London, by Henley.
Oxford 8
Nuneham Court. 5 13
Dorchester ' 4 1’7
'Benson 7 3 20
Nettlebed ‘
Henleyo’nThames ll 31
Maidenhead 9 40
Salthill
Slough . 5% 45%
.Colnbrook 4 49—;-
Cranford Bridge
Hounslow 7% 57
Brentford
Hyde-park-corner 9% 66%

 

 

This road' in many places runs
parallel with theThames,orcatches
views of its meanders. , Both at
Henley and Maidenhead we cross
this prince of British streams by
We noble modern stone bridges;

 

and every where the landscape is
agreeably diversified by hill and
dale, woods, plains, .and splendid
edifices,among which latter , W ind-

sor Castle towers with a proud
prC-EMIHCDCB,

' No. III.

To Reading.

Oxford 8
Wallingford l8 21
Pangbourne 9 30
Reading 6 ~ 36

The Thames accompanies the
traveller the greatest part of this
road, which every "where presents
the most enchanting features, and
in some places is almost unrival-
ledi READING is one of the
most pleasant county towns in the
kingdom.

 

 

 

No, IV.

To Birmingham 8:. Holylzead.
Enstone r ' p 6
Chapel House 4 10
Shipston on Stem 10 20
Stratford on Avon ll 31
Henley in Arden 7!: 38%
Hockley 5 43%
Birmingham 1 0%; .54
Wolverhampton ‘135Q 67%
Shifi‘nal‘ 12%)- 8O
Watling‘ Street 6:57- 86%
Shrewsbury l 22:: 99
Oswestry 1’74; 116%
Llangollen ' 121‘, 129
Corwen 10 13.9
Kernioge Mawr 19 J52
Betws Ycoed l l 163
Capel Cerrig 4 167
Bangor Ferry 1’? 181
Gwyndu 13 194 .
Holyhead j 12.; 209%

Few Tours of pleasure could be

selected,that comprise more pleas.
ing or important onjects; STRAT-
FORD, the birth-place of Shak-
speare; BIRMINGHAM, “ the
toy-shop of Europe;” and___the
sublime scenery of NORTH

 

 

 

 

148 ‘ITINERARY

WALES, successively claim re.
gard, and beguile the length of
the jOurney.

\ N00 V.
To Worcester andAberystwitk.
‘ 6

 

 

 

If the former route is calculated
to give an agreeable picture of
NORTHrWALES, this is no less
favourable for a display of some
interesting parts of SOUTH
WALES ; besides affording the
Traveller an opportunity of seeing

the beautiful city of WORCES‘ ,

TER. A BERYSTWITH is much
frequented as a sea-bathing place.

No. VI. -“
To Bath, by Cirenpester.
Witney ‘ l 8
Burford ’7 15
Bibury 10 . 25
Cirencesfiter - 7 32
Tetbury 10 42
Petty France 8% 50%
Cross Hands 3—;— 53%
Bath 12 65-5-

 

Persons‘ from London who an-

,‘nually travel the Bath road, as it is

called, beautiful as the country
must be allowed to be through
which it passes, in time become
tired of' the same uniform round;
and therefore, to vary the scene,
many either go or return by
WOODSTOCK and OXFORD.
{the difference in the distance is

 

E‘nStone
Chipping-norton’ 5 1 l
Moreton in Marsh 8. l 19
Broadway 8—; 27%
Bengeworth (Eve; /
sham) 5%: 33
Pershore ’7 49
Worcester ' 9 4-9
- Bromyard 14 63
'Leominster 12 ’75
'Presteign \ 14 89
New Radnor 8 9’7
Rhayadr 18.}, 115%,“
Cwm Ystwith 14g. 130
Aberystw’ith 15 l 45

l

 

 

more than compensated for by th!
novelty and magnificence of the.
objects which this route displays.
No. VII.
To Bristol.

~Cross Hands as

above ’ ‘ 53%
Sodbury 3 56%
Bristol 1 1-5 68.

Health, pleasure, and business,
all in their turn, conduct to Bristol,
which once ranked as the second
commercial town in Britain.

No, VIII.

To Cheltenlzam and Glouces-
ter, by Stow on tlze Wold,

Chapel House 10
Stow on the Wold 9 19'
Chelten/zam 18 37
Gloucester 10 4'7

During the Summer, the resort
of genteel company to Cheltenham
has been regularly encreasing ;.the
numbers now are. about 2000 in
the season.

No. IX.

To Cheltenkam and Gloucesq.
ter, by Bmford.

\Vitney

Burford, 7 15‘
‘ Northle‘ach 9 24

Frogmill '1 31

Chelten/zam 6 3’7.

Gloucester 1‘.) 4'1

This road, though it has been
longest established and is most

‘ frequented, in point of distance

is the same as the preceding,

No, X.
To Coventry and Litchfield,
. by Banbury.

Deddington 1.0
Adderbury

Banb‘ury 6 16
Southam ‘ ‘14 30
Coventry ' 13 .48
Coleshill 12 55

Litchfield 15 7s

, weanhwh

, .uyififi‘g 4

FROM WOODSTOCK. 149

. The read through Banbury is
much less frequented than it de-
serVes. being generally excellent,
and passingr through a pleasant
country, eu'fliciently varied to em

liven the progress COVENTRY“

and LlTCIl FIELD are too well
known to require a description of
their attractions.

N o. XI. .
To Soutlzampton.

Oxford 8

' Abingdon ' 6-21- 14%
East Ilsley 11 257}
Newbury - 9% 35
Whitchurch I 13 48
Winchester 13 61

Southampton 12 ’73
No route can be more delight-
ful than this. WINCHESTER,
SOUTHAMPTON, and its vici-
nity, and the ISLE of‘ WIGHT,
with its charming scenery, are of
themselves sufficient to allure
every person of taste to visit them.

No. XII.

To Gosport.
Winchesteras above 61
Wickham 14% 75-5-
Gos-port 9 84%

The pride and defence of Bri-
tain, the royal navy, which has
one of its principal stations at
Portsmouth, adjoining Gosport,
will always occasion a frequent
communication between the mid-
land counties and this place.

No. XIII.
To Northampton and Peter-
borough.
Middleton Stoney 8
Brackle 9% 17%
Towc‘ester 11 28%
Northampton 9 37-5-
Wellingborough 105- 48
Thrapstone 10% 58%
Oundle‘ 8 66-5-
Peterborough 13%] 80

 

 

Neither business nor pleasure

‘ ' swagger a ,_ _-.

 

renders this road much frequent-
ed ; yet it is not uninviting nor
destitute of attractions. NO RTII-
”AMP'I‘ON is a fine town, and the
i‘coun’try'for many miles along this
rOute‘ is rich and well Cultivated,
if not picturesque.

N0. XIV.

To Bucking/2am and Cam-
bridge.
Middleton Stoney 8
Buckingham 15 23

Stoney Stratford 8 31
Newport Pagnell 6 37

Bedford 13% 50%
St. Neots . 12g— 63
Cambridge 18 81‘

Next to BLENHEIM. perhaps

" no place in the kingdom is better

worth visiting than STOW... the
seat of the Marquis of Bucking-
ham, which lies in the vicinity of
the town of that name.

N o. XV.
To Salislmry and Weymoutlz.

 

To Newbury No.

XI. 35
Andover 16 51
Salisbury 17 68
Woodyates Inn 10 ’7 8
Blandford 12% 90%
Dorchester 16 106%
Weymouth 8 114»

SALISBURY, with its splendid
cathedral, and the wonders of
STONEHENGE which lie in its
vicinity, are very attractive ob-
jects in an excursion to WEY-
MOUTH, which may be consider-
ed as the regal bathing— place, as
BRIGHTON is the princely.

N o. XVI.

To Brighton, by Windsor and
Tunbridge Wells.

Slough No. II. 45

Windsor 2 47

Kingston 12 59

Croydon 1 1 7O

Farnboroug‘h 8 7 8
"3'

 

(:1 ““y‘afi‘d ('1'

g
g;

 

 

   

’ Aylesbury

15a. ~- "

 
 
 
    
   

   

Trave‘llersto B RIGHTON
this fiargof the country generally
pass tli Ough LOW DON : but
when it is considered that fora
little additional expence they can
“visit WINDSOR, and TUN-

~,BKIDGE by the route proposed,

“and at the same time avoid the

~Hu~rry and noise of the Metropo-
_rlis, many withgut doubt will b
, inclined to prefer it.

No. XVI}; 1
To Warwick.

Stratford on Avon
No. IV . 31
War. 1’ 8 39

 

The cad. through Banbury and
Kineton is nearly the same dis-
tance ;, that ' through Halford
Bridge is about two miles nearer.
Warwick Castle is a most capital
object, and worthy of its. generous
and benevolent possessor.

N0. XVIII.
To Aylesbury.

' 11
' 16 27
This road is little frequented;

But it is by no means destitute of
attractiOns in fine weather.

N0. XIX.

To Derby and Slufield, .by
Birmingham.

Bicester

Birmingham, No.‘
IV.‘ ’ 54
Sutton Coldfield 7-;- 61%

"1 Burtfiig 1 nt

      

 

 

. amuse.- _- ' ~

, e y . .1 1
LitChfielfltesé'sSg

    

 

  

Sheffield-M" -- 1% fig

from "

The elegance of Litchfield, t ' g
picturesque beauties of Derby :
shire (and the manufactures of‘
snerfim, will render this an in; .
terestin‘g route. It also commu-f
nicates‘ both. with the -West and:
the Northir‘oads to Scotlandg; ‘

' To Liverpool, by- Birmingham
and Litchfield.
_ Litchfield-,asqbove‘r ‘ 71%
1Wolseley Bridge 9-;- 81 ‘
"Sandon 8 89
Trentham“ 9%, 98%
Newcastle underf ' '
Line 3 101%
Congleton ' 112—5- 1.14
Knutsfield _ ’14 128
Warrington ' 12 140
Prescot ' 10 150
Liverpool ’ L 8 158

 

 

In population, Liverpool is the“
third! place inlthe kingdom, and
in foreign commerce it is only in;
ferlor to London.- A regular stage
coach runs through Woodstock to‘
this place, and there is abundance
of posting. .

NOa XXI.

To Manchester.
Warrington,asabove 140 ‘
Irlam , 9.511495-
Manchester- 53 g [58

Manchester, though it is not
even a borough town, contains
more inhabitants than any place
in‘the kingdom, except London.» ‘
Its cotton manufactures are the'
wonder of the world.-

, FIN'IS.

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'8 .33“

RETURN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

LIBRARY
642 48 I 8

 

 

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LOAN PERIOD I
2 HOURS

2'.

3

 

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Return books promptly. $5. 00 precessing fee may be levied.

 

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