pillars which support sphinxes; these pillars are continued on each side to others, similarly decorated and surmounted, by a curvilinear screen. The lodge, just within the gates on the left, is a little temple of the purest Doric.

The domain, which has also been swelled by the present proprietor from forty to three hundred acres, abounds with features of embellishment, from which our limits will only permit us to select a few objects for description, though almost all equally demand it. Taking a circle of the grounds, a Dairy, in the style of an Indian Temple, appears on the left upon quitting the Lodge: the exterior of this building is elegant, and the interior decorations in character with the purpose for which it is designed. Within, the walls are covered with small slabs of Staffordshire ware, bordered with a wreath of fig-leaves; the windows are of ground glass, adorned with well-executed flowers; the floor of black and white marble, inlaid; while a table of a species of slate-stone, with carved supporters in bronze, is continued round the apartment, and a large marble tazza, from an antique Italian model, stands on a sculptured stone pedestal in the centre. Chinese garden-seats, of Staffordshire ware, and vases and other vessels from India and China, are also among the decorations. A Strawberry-room, where guests may partake of that fruit mingled with cream, is among the appropriate appendages to the Dairy.

The Grotto, which is the work of the same artist who produced those much admired ones at Oatlands and Pains Hill, is not yet completed, but promises to bear comparison with most erections of its kind. It comprises a beautifully sequestered bath, with dressing and other apartments, in its interior, the style of which is an admirable resemblance of the Gothic, but as though the fantastic results of nature in the formation of rock or cavern scenery, rather than the effects of art. The roofpendants in particular, in imitation both of those seen

in our cathedral architecture, and those natural petrifactions formed in some caves (from which latter, it is probable, the Gothic architects derived their first ideas of such ornaments), are extremely well managed. From an elevated seat, in a corresponding style, a good view of the whole grotto is obtained, with water gurgling from numerous interstices in its sides, and ivy and other creeping plants growing over it: the effect of this scene is much heightened by its being so managed, that every object not in strict harmony with its sombre features is excluded from the view.

An elegant stone Bridge, thrown over a piece of water by which the grotto is supplied, and which also appears in front of the house, merits attention. Its ellipse is particularly small; a circumstance which has been made to add to, rather than detract from, the beauty of its span the iron balustrades which rise over the arch are peculiarly tasteful.

A pretty swell of the grounds conducts to a Fountain, which spouts water with considerable force through a shell blown by a Triton, the model of which, now at Florence, is by Juan de Bologna. A gold and silver fish-pond, margined with stone, receives the stream on its descent; and behind it are two chimeras, between which a green-house is intended to be erected, and there will be a parterre of flowers in front.

In another part of the grounds stands an antique statue of Time, sculptured in marble, and placed on a pedestal engraved with appropriate lines from Young. Among other details, of which want of space alone precludes the mention, we may notice a very choice kitchengarden; in which is a grapery, the construction of the frames of which is such as to receive the solar rays at all times of the day; and their declination, which is threefold, and was calculated by the Royal Astronomer at Greenwich, corresponds with that of the sun in the heavens at three different periods of the year. The

architect and landscape-gardener, who has been employed by Mr. Pallmer, is Mr. Lapidge, an elève of Browne's; and it is not too much to say, that in the purity of taste, and excellence of judgment, here displayed, he has emulated the best works of his distinguished preceptor. Our notice of this seat has been somewhat lengthened, not merely on account of its superior claims to description, but that we conceived it would naturally be called for by the inhabitants of Kingston, as a just tribute to its proprietor, who has in so many ways merited the place he holds in their esteem, and of whose politeness and urbanity we are ourselves qualified to speak, by the ready permission to view his improvements which he afforded us.

Norbiton Hall, a handsome old brick mansion, which stands on the opposite side of the road, has recently received a coat of white composition, and is the property of General Johnson, who has much improved it. A former occupier of this house was Richard Taverner, Esq. a man of some little celebrity in his time (the reign of Edward VI.) Being a zealous protestant, he obtained a licence to preach in any place within the king's dominions, and actually did preach before the University of Oxford, when high sheriff of the county, with a sword. by his side, and a gold chain about his neck. He retired to this seat during the reign of Queen Mary, and was suffered to remain unmolested *.

An Almshouse, for six poor men and as many poor women, stands in the middle of the street of Norbiton, nearer the central part of the town. An inscription on

*Fuller, in his Church History, quotes, from a book of Sir John Cheke's, called "The true Subject to the Rebellion, 1641," one or his sermons, which begins thus: "Arriving at the Mount of St. Marie's, in the stony stage where I now stand, I have brought you some fine biskits, baked in the oven of Charity, carefully conserved for the chicken of the Church, the sparrows of the Spirit, and the sweet swallows of Salvation."

its front informs us that it was founded by William Cleave, Alderman of London, in 1668.

A road branching to the right from Norbiton conducts to Combe House, the property of Lord Liverpool, (who is the present high steward of Kingston) but formerly the residence of the Harveys of Combe, among whom was William Harvey, the celebrated physician. One of the latest descendants of this family was Edward Harvey, M. P. for Clitheroe in 1715, a weak man, strongly attached to the interests of the Stuarts, and continually talking of designs to bring them back. Being apprehended, in consequence of a message to the House from the King, on suspicion of favouring the threatened invasion, and examined before a committee of the privy council, he was, after an attempt made upon his own life, committed to Newgate, but afterwards bailed, and ultimately discharged. This, however, made no alteration in his political opinions; and his lands lying opposite Richmond Park-wall, separated only by the road, his great delight was to watch and shoot the pheasants which strayed into them from the park. On the side of Combe Hill, where it declines towards Kingston, is a Conduit, which supplies Hampton-Court Palace with water, by means of leaden pipes carried under the Thames. It was the work of Cardinal Wolsey. Dr. Hale observes that this water left no incrustation on a boiler in a coffeehouse, which had been in constant use for fourteen years; and that it is softer than either that of the Thames, or of the river which crosses Hounslow Heath to HamptonCourt *.

In Surbiton, is an ancient seat so called, which is now the property of John Garratt, Esq. but owes its chief modern improvements to Thomas Fassett, Esq. a previous occupier, from whom it passed into the possession of Lord Uxbridge. The gardens are in the old style, with

* Hale's Statical Essays, II. 240, 241.