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THE SEAT OF THE

EARL OF SHREWSBURY.

THIS stately residence is seated in a beautiful park, about seventeen miles north of the city of Oxford, in an open variegated country, surrounded by an agreeable diversity of wood, water, hill, and vale. The estate was purchased by Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury, who employed Robert Archer as the architect, in the erection of this truly noble mansion, about the year 1705. It is approached by an avenue nearly two miles in length, planted on each side with forest trees, interspersed with clumps of pines: this road, which is almost unrivalled for its length and variety, leads to the grand or northern front, built from a model brought by his Grace from Rome. This front is a remarkably fine example of the Corinthian order: a lofty portico in the centre is supported by four columns, with a corresponding enriched architrave and cornice; a general balustrade surmounts the whole building, which is connected to the wings, containing the offices, by an open screen.

The south front has a flight of steps with two ascents: over the entrance is a shield, with the family arms boldly sculptured; each lateral division of the same front is adorned by columns, and the whole edifice is built of a fine freestone. The Hall is of lofty proportions-the floor is tessellated with white and black marble, and the sides are painted in ornamented compartments.

The Library, eighty-three feet in length, and twenty in height, is also adorned with stucco. Above the recesses made for bookcases are medallions of Homer, Plato, Thucydides, Cicero, Shakspeare, and Inigo Jones; over the entrances are bas-reliefs representing particular passages from the fables of Æsop.

From the centre of the Gallery a fine and compendious view is obtained of the Park, and the chief features of the surrounding scenery. Folding doors open at three sides, and permit a prospect completely through the different attached rooms; a fourth door opens directly on the Terrace, and thus a full view of the adjacent scenery is obtained towards each of the cardinal points, the effect of which is extremely grand. The grounds are highly embellished by art, and sufficiently varied by nature; and thus a comprehensive idea is at once formed of the amplitude of the domain appertaining to this magnificent Mansion.

The Drawing-room is forty-seven feet long, by twenty-five in width; the walls of this apartment are hung with tapestry, by Vanderborght, representing the four quarters of the globe, beautifully executed: Europe is fancifully designated by characters in masquerade costume; the design of the compartment emblematic of Africa is conspicuously entitled to praise; the grouping is fine, and much force of character is delineated, every figure conduces to the animation of the scene, and possesses a separate interest. Over the four doors are compartments in chiaro-scuro, illustrative of the Seasons and Elements. The chimney-piece is beautiful; it is composed of Egyptian and statuary marble, over which is a painting of the destruction of Pharaoh, by Van Orlay. The entablature and cornice of the room is supported by figures of Ceres and Flora, about five feet high, and the ceiling of stucco represents the four quarters of the globe. A Gothic Chapel, situated a short distance from the Mansion, is appropriated to the use of the family, and his lordship's Catholic tenantry.-The Grounds are extensive and well wooded; and in the Gardens is a noble Conservatory.

Heythorpe is distant two miles and three quarters from the town of Chipping Norton, and is situated in Chadlington Hundred. At the death of the Duke of Shrewsbury, in 1718, this and his other paternal estates descended to his heir in the title of Earl; that of Duke, at his decease became extinct.

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Nuneham Courtenay, Oxfordshire;

THE SEAT OF

THE EARL OF HARCOURT.

STANTON HARCOURT, an ancient seat in this county, has been in the possession of the noble family of Harcourt for upwards of 600 years; but has been suffered to decay, having been deserted for the superior beauties of Nuneham Courtenay, which, for variety of scenery, aided by its proximity to the Isis, and extent of demesne, may vie with any in the kingdom. Nuneham, at the Conquest, belonged to Richard de Courcy, and afterwards to the family of Redvers. Mary, youngest daughter of William de Redvers, Earl of Devon, married Robert de Courtenay, Baron of Okehampton, in 1214. It is probable, that by this marriage the Manor of Nuneham passed into the family of Courtenay, and thence assumed the adjunct of Nuneham Courtenay. The Pollards, of Devonshire, next succeeded to the possession of it; from them it went to Audley, of the Court of Wards, called the "rich Audley." From him it passed to Robert Wright, Bishop of Lichfield, whose son, Calvert Wright, sold it to John Robinson, merchant, of London, in the time of Oliver Cromwell, who was knighted, in 1660, by King Charles II. From the Robinsons it descended to David, Earl of Wemys, who married Mary, daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Robinson, Bart., of whom it was purchased, in the year 1710, by Simon, first Lord Harcourt, Lord High Chancellor of England.

The annexed View is taken from a small bridge over a branch of the river, south-west of the house. Near to the bridge, and on the banks of the river, is a very rural cottage, which is much frequented by the Oxonians during the summer months.

The Mansion, consisting of a handsome centre, and two projecting wings connected by corridors, with galleries over them, all of stone, was erected by the first Earl of Harcourt, after a design by Ledbeater; but was subsequently enlarged by the addition of a court of offices, and otherwise altered, under the direction of Brown, who superintended the disposition of the grounds and plantations. Its interior arrangement comprehends convenience, elegance, and magnificence. The Hall is supported by Doric columns, and is adorned by the following statues, casts from the antique: Mercury, Venus, Apollo, and Flora. The principal apartments are of grand proportions, and embellished in a very superior and splendid manner. A considerable and very fine collection of pictures enhance its decoration.

The Park is a noble demesne, containing 1200 acres, six miles and a half in circumference, finely varied with wood and forest scenery. Thick woods form the general boundary, and when they offer an opening, prospects appear, which have the contrasted charms of distance, grandeur, and beauty. On the north it is bounded by the village of Nuneham, erected by the Earl of Harcourt, each house having a small neat garden and front-court, displaying, in certain points of view, a mixture of trees and buildings, which the eye cannot regard with indifference as a rural picture.

Old Carfax, which stands on a bold prominence by the side of the river Isis, at the extent of the Park, is thus inscribed: "This building, called Carfax, erected for a Conduit at Oxford, by Otho Nicholson, in the year of our Lord 1590, and taken down in the year 1787, to enlarge the High Street, was presented by the University to George Simon, Earl Harcourt, who caused it to be placed here."

The Gardens contain about 38 acres; these may be considered the pride of Nuneham. The Flower-garden, especially, is unrivalled; it has no visible connexion with the general range of pleasure-grounds, and is entirely secluded by a thick belt of choice trees and flowery shrubs, and an exterior boundary of wide-spreading elms.

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THE SEAT OF THE

EARL OF MACCLESFIELD.

LELAND writes, "Shirburne, within a mile of Wathelington church, where is a strong pile, or castlet, longed to Quatremain, since to Fowler, and by exchange, now to Chamberlain of Oxfordshire."

Camden states, that "the Chamberlains were descended from the Earls of Tankervil, who, bearing the office of Chamberlain to the Dukes of Normandy, their posterity, laying aside the old name of Tankervil, called themselves Chamberlain, from the said office which their ancestors enjoyed."

It appears, that, in the fifty-first year of Edward III. Sir Wariner de l'Isle, Bart., obtained permission to build a castle at Shirbourn, where his ancestor, Wariner de l'Isle, in the tenth year of the same king, had a charter of freewarren, and leave to enclose one hundred acres of woodland for a park.

The castle and manor were purchased at the commencement of the last century, by Thomas Parker, first Earl of Macclesfield, who may be considered as the founder of the family. He was bred to the law, called to the degree of sergeant in 1705, constituted Chief Justice of the King's Bench 1709-10, by Queen Anne, and appointed Lord Chancellor by George I. in 1718. He was created Baron Macclesfield, March 9, 1716, and Nov. 15, 1721, advanced to the dignity of Viscount Parker, and Earl of Macclesfield. He died in 1732. His son, George Parker, the second Earl, was President of the Royal Society, and LL. D. of the University of Oxford; and is chiefly remarkable for the part which he took in the alteration of the style, in 1750. He was also author of "Remarks on the Polar and Lunar Years," the cycle of nineteen years, &c.

Thomas Parker, the third Earl, who succeeded to the title, March 17, 1764, married, Dec. 12, 1749, his cousin Mary, eldest daughter of Sir William Heathcote, Bart., and had issue two sons and two daughters. He dying, Feb. 9, 1795, was succeeded by his eldest son, George Parker, the present Earl, who, May 25, 1780, married Mary Frances, daughter and coheir of the late Thomas Drake, D.D., Rector of Amersham, Bucks. They have issue a daughter, Maria, born in 1781, and married, in 1802, to Thomas Lord Binning, son of the Earl of Haddington, a member of the Board of Control.

Shirbourn Castle is nearly in the form of a parallelogram, and the whole building is encompassed by a broad and deep moat. The approaches are over three drawbridges, and the chief entrance is guarded by a portcullis. At each angle of the edifice is a circular tower. Flat ranges of stone-building occupy the intervals, and along the whole top is an embattled parapet.

In the twelfth volume of the "Beauties of England and Wales," Mr. Brewer, the able writer of the account of Oxfordshire, states, that "the interior of Shirbourn Castle is disposed in a style of modern elegance and comfort, that contains no allusion to the external castellated character of the structure, with an exception of one long room fitted up as an armoury. On the sides of this apartment are hung various pieces of mail, together with shields, tilting-spears, and offensive arms, of modern as well as ancient date. In a due situation is placed the chair of baronial dignity. The rooms are in general well proportioned, but not of very large dimensions. There are two capacious libraries, well furnished with books, and tastefully adorned with paintings and sculpture. Among the portraits are several of the Lord Chancellor Macclesfield, and an original of Catherine Parr, queen to Henry VIII. She is represented standing behind a highly embellished vacant chair, with her hand on the back. Her dress is black, richly ornamented with precious stones. The fingers are loaded with rings; and, in one hand is a handkerchief, edged with deep lace. Inserted in the lower part of the frame, and carefully covered with glass, is an interesting appendage to this portrait: a piece of hair cut from the head of Catherine Parr, in the year 1799, when her coffin was opened at Sudley Castle. The hair is auburn, and matches exactly with that delineated in the picture.

Within the castle are constructed both warm and cold baths, a luxury which too tardily creeps on the notice of this country, but which is one of the most desirable in which rank and affluence can indulge. The park contains about sixty acres; but is too flat to afford much interest. The flower-garden is arranged in an agreeable and chaste style. A very extensive conservatory has lately been built from stone and cast iron and, on a retired spot, is a pavilion for the reception of flowers in the more genial summer months.

Shirbourn Castle was honoured with a visit from the Queen and Princesses, in the summer of 1808.

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