THE SEAT OF

WILLIAM SPENCER CAVENDISH,

DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

THE estate of Chatsworth, which anciently belonged to the family of Leeche, was purchased by Sir William Cavendish, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He began a noble Mansion, which was not finished until after his death, which happened in 1557. A few years before the Revolution, that structure was taken down, and the present splendid edifice raised in its stead, by that illustrious patriot, William Cavendish, the first Duke of Devonshire, and the friend of the unfortunate Lord William Russell.

Chatsworth House stands in a wide and deep valley, and near the foot of a high mountain, covered with wood. The river Derwent winds gracefully through the Park, and the approach to the Mansion is over a bridge of three arches, erected by Paine, and ornamented with figures by Cibber. The house is built in the Ionic order, with a flat roof, surrounded by a balustrade, and forms nearly a square of about 100 feet, having four regular fronts, enclosing a quadrangular court, in the centre of which is a fountain, and a statue of Orpheus. The principal entrance is on the west, by a noble flight of steps, to a terrace extending the whole length of the building. The front, which faces the gardens, is magnificent; under the cornice of the frieze is the family motto-" CAVENDO TUTUS," in large letters. The interior of Chatsworth is splendidly adorned with painted walls and ceilings; as well as with most beautiful carved ornaments in wood, by Gibbons.

The Hall is 60 feet by 27-the ceiling, end, and one side, display representations of an assembly of the Gods; Julius Cæsar sacrificing, and his assassination at the foot of Pompey's statue. These were originally painted by Verrio and La Guerre, but were retouched a few years ago. From the Hall, a double flight of steps, and a long gallery, conduct to the Chapel, which is very elegantly fitted up, and decorated with paintings by Verrio, and a variety of exquisite carvings by Gibbons. The altar-piece, by the former, is one of his best performances: it represents Christ reproving the incredulity of St. Thomas. The ceiling is covered with a painting of the Ascension.

The Dancing Gallery, 100 feet by 22, is exceedingly splendid. The ceilings and pannels are elegantly painted, and the cornices gilt: in the coves are various statues. A pointcravat, a woodcock, and a medal, carved in wood, by Gibbons, presented by him to the Duke of Devonshire, on the completion of his work at Chatsworth, are here preserved in a glass-case. In the dressing-room to the best bed-chamber, is a small, but beautiful collection of fossils, which was made by her Grace, the late most amiable and accomplished Duchess of Devonshire, the mother of the present Duke, who, among other superior acquirements, possessed considerable skill in mineralogy.

The suite of rooms, called Mary Queen of Scots,' is thought to correspond in situation with those occupied by that unfortunate princess, when she was kept a prisoner in the old house at Chatsworth, under the care of the Earl of Shrewsbury. Thirteen years of her captivity were passed here; and from this place she wrote her second letter to Pope Pius, bearing date the 31st of October, 1570.

The Park is nine miles in circumference, and is "beautifully diversified with hill and dale, as well as various plantations, which range in fine sweeping masses over the inequalities of the ground. The prospects from different parts are exceedingly fine; and one view, looking back from the south, possesses extraordinary grandeur. Immediately below the eye is the rich vale, animated by the meandering current of the Derwent; more distant is the house, with a fine back-ground of wood, rearing in solemn majesty; and far beyond, the blue hills of Castleton skirting the horizon."

Great alterations were made here by the late Mr. Brown, who modernized the park and grounds, improved the water, and destroyed the general formalities of the place. The water-works, indeed, yet exist; but they are considered only as mere matters of curiosity and expense, and the remains of that species of garden magnificence, which has long been exploded by a happy attention to the power and beauties of nature. On the highest point of the mountain behind the house, stands the Hunting Tower, which, though it is 90 feet high, the top only of it can be seen from the valley. This edifice commands a most extensive view, and is supposed to have been erected for the convenience of ladies who might wish to partake of the diversion of hunting, without incurring its fatigues. On the extensive moor behind it, is that vast natural reservoir, said to be 16 acres in extent, which supplies the house, and feeds the water-works.

The present is the sixth Duke of Devonshire. This nobleman was born at Paris, May 21st, 1790, and succeeded to the ducal dignity on the death of his father, July 29, 1811. In 1826, his Grace was nominated Ambassador Extraordinary from his Britannic Majesty, to assist at the coronation of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia. The Duke of Devonshire is Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county of Derby.

BB

THE SEAT OF

CORNELIUS HEATHCOTE RODES, ESQ.

Ir is a handsome Mansion-house, of the style prevalent in Queen Elizabeth's time, of which it is a good specimen, and was built in the year 1583, by Francis Rodes, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas. Its figure approaches nearly to a square, with four fronts, the principal of which, facing the south, is most ornamented. This is approached by a flight of steps leading through a porch adorned with pillars of the Doric order, to the Hall, which has been modernized, but still retaining many features of the original design. The principal front, which has not been altered, is adorned with bow-windows. The arrangement of the interior has been somewhat changed, to make it more suitable to modern convenience and comfort, of which the House affords a large share; in one of the rooms, on the first story, now a billiard-room, taken out of the great chamber, is a magnificent stone chimney-piece enriched with fluted Doric pillars, supporting statues of Justice and Religion, armorial bearings, and various ornaments in bas-relief. In the upper part, are the Arms of Rodes, with these inscriptions :- 66 LEGEM 1584, ÆTATIS SVE 50." In the lower part, two shields, bearing the Arms of Rodes, with different empalements; one supported by a judge on dexter side, inscribed, "FRANCISCVS RODES," and by a lady on the other, inscribed, "ELIZ. SANDFORD." The other shield, with the same supporters, inscribed," FRANCISCVs Rodes, MARIA CHARLETON:" at bottom, is this inscription: " CONSTITUTUS JUSTICIARIUS DE BANCO COMMUNI, 30 ELIZ."-The offices and stables which surround a court on the west side of the House, have been rebuilt in a style corresponding with the House. It is situated north-east of Chesterfield.

FRANCIS RODES SERVIENS DOMINE REGINE AD