Trentham Hall, Staffordshire; THE SEAT OF GEORGE GRANVILLE LEVESON GOWER, MARQUIS OF STAFFORD, K.G. THIS noble Mansion is situated five miles north-west of the town of Stone, and about four miles' distance south from Newcastle-under-Line. The estate, for many generations the property of the Levesons, came into the possession of the present noble family at the latter end of the seventeenth century, and from the beautiful river which winds through the park, its name is derived. The scenery in the immediate vicinity of the house, was originally laid out by that master of the art, Brown. It possessed of itself advantages of every description, and subsequent improvements have developed its beauties in their fullest extent. Here the hanging wood with its umbrageous foliage, the verdant lawn with its beautiful shady trees, and clumps promiscuously, as it were, disposed in infinite variety the spreading sheets of water, with their accompaniments of impervious shade, and lost to the eye by their length and winding behind the swelling hill and shady copse, have an effect truly magnificent. The natural beauty of the river Trent has been greatly increased in the valley: it expands into a beautiful lake, while the higher grounds command diversified and extensive views of the surrounding country. The Mansion is large, and has been erected about a century; but the arrangements and alterations made by the late Marquis, from the designs of Holland, gave a new and imposing character to the whole. The apartments are at once spacious and numerous, and are adorned by an extensive collection of Paintings, by ancient and modern masters. The noble Proprietor has distinguished himself as a patron of the British Institution, and is equally an admirer of the productions of ancient art. His Lordship's principal Gallery is at Cleveland House; but many fine specimens of the best masters are here, of which we are happy in being enabled to lay before our readers a complete list. The Drawing-room to the west, and the Dining-room and private apartments to the east of the house, have been added by the present Marquis. William Wissing. Pyramus and Thisbe-Wright of Derby. Portrait of Charles James Fox-Jackson. Portrait of George Granville, Marquis of Virgin, Christ, and St. John-Pietro Per rugino. Portrait of George Granville, Marquis of East side. Landscape-Claude Lorraine. Holy Family-Rottenhamer and D. Segers. Virgin and Child. South-side. A Burgomaster-Meerveldt. West-side. DINING ROOM---North-side. A Frame of Miniatures, containing por A copy of the Portrait of Mrs. Siddons, by ter-Zucchero. Hunting in Leicestershire, with Portraits South-side. Newmarket--- Wotton. West-side. View of Heidelberg Carnival at Venice---Tiepolo. Ditto---Ditto. The Holy Family--Venetian school. NORTH BED ROOM-South-side. Two Apostles-Paul Veronese. Cows' and Asses' Heads-Huett Villiers. South-side. Paul Veronese. The Earl of Moray-Corn. Jansen. CHINTZ ROOM- North-side. Elizabeth, Countess Waldegrave---Gawin Hamilton. Jane, Countess of Rochester and Claren don East-side. Catharine Lady Wyndham. South-side. Jane, Countess of Rochester and Claren don--- Dahl. West-side. Mr. Bernard Granville. Mr. Wm. Leveson Gower. Portrait of Gertrude, Duchess of Bed-John, Earl Gower---Knapton. ford--Knapton. Evelyn, Duke of Kingston. Evelyn, Lady Gower. West-side. Portrait of Queen Anne. A Portrait. DRESSING ROOM TO DITTO. OLD ALCOVE ROOM-North-side. Portraits of Mr. Wm. Leveson Gower: OAK ROOM.-North-side. Holy Family-Venetian school. son. East-side. Portrait of Elizabeth, Marchioness Head of St. Francis. Helmingham Hall, Suffolk; THE SEAT OF LOUISA, COUNTESS OF DYSART. IT is seldom we meet with a building affording so interesting a display of characteristic architecture of the early period assigned to Helmingham Hall, the style of which is evidently that of the reign of Henry VIII., when a love of splendour in domestic structures had its origin, and the embattled mansion succeeded to the frowning fortifications of the early barons. Our Views of the South-east and North-west Fronts give the most complete idea of this remarkable edifice. The circumstance of its being erected wholly of brick, adds considerably to its interest and curiosity: this had not been felt by some of its intermediate possessors, who had covered the building with a composition, giving to it the effect of stone, which has very judiciously been removed, and the beauty of its architectural character restored. This stately residence is situated in the hundred of Bosmere and Claydon, four miles south-east from Debenham, and eight miles from Ipswich, in a beautiful park comprehending four hundred acres, which contains some of the finest oak-trees in the county, many of them of great age, and which is abundantly stocked with deer, there never being less than seven hundred head in the park, amongst which are a few remarkably large stags. The Hall has been the principal seat of the family from the period of its erection, and here Sir Lionel Tollemache was honoured by a visit from Queen Elizabeth, for five days, from August 14th to 18th inclusive, in the year 1561. Her Majesty was entertained with great splendour and sumptuous hospitality, and during her visit stood godmother to Sir Lionel's son, and at the same time presented his mother with a lute, which is still preserved. Very few innovations have been made in the mansion, and, with regard to its exterior appearance, it exists in all its pristine grandeur. It is a quadrangular structure, entirely of brick, environing a court, and completely surrounded by a terrace and moat, having the principal entrance in the centre of the south front, which elevation, the most conspicuous in our south-east view of the mansion, may be considered as having five divisions; the entrance porch, projecting to the wall of the terrace, and surmounted by a gable termination, the apex of which, as well as the buttresses at the angles, are adorned with ornamental finials, buildings on each side in continuation, and others at each angle, where they assume a more ornamented character: both on this front, and on the returns at east and west, are large bay windows, with projecting cornices and embattled parapets, and the gables terminated by richly wrought finials; these, as well as the chimneys, ornamented in the same manner, with reticulated and indented mouldings, have a beautiful and singular effect. The approach is by drawbridges, on the east and south fronts, which are raised every night. The moat, as well as a fine piece of water in the park, is frequented by great numbers of wild fowl, which, by indulgence, have become singularly tame. In the Great Hall is a vast collection of ancient armour, and the library is remarkable for the number of early printed books it contains; all in very fine condition. There are in some of the chambers a few fine paintings, and many ancient and highly curious portraits of members of the various branches of the family. Amongst the pictures are two views in Cheshire by Wilson, and a fine landscape by Morland. The Church is near the boundary of the Park, and forms a beautiful and picturesque object. It contains many splendid memorials of the Tollemaches. One monument, to the memory of Anna Maria, Countess of Dysart, who died 14th September, 1804, æt. 59, is by Nollikens. |