42 NOTES UPON 



BOWOOD. 



THI-; SEAT OF THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, NEAR CALNE, 

 WILTSHIRE. 



The mausion is situated on the south side of a hill, which 

 slopes rather rapidly to a lake occupying the bottom of a valley, 

 and extending through the park for more than a mile. At some 

 distance behind the mansion the ground continues to rise, and 

 the fine trees growing upon it form a rich back-ground, parti- 

 cularly when seen from the opposite side of tlie lake. 



Great improvements have recently been made on the south 

 side of the mansion, which, in a horticultural point of view, are 

 so connected with the building, that some notice of it is in the 

 first place requisite. 



The mansion is built, or rather has been ornamented exter- 

 nally, in the mixed Grecian style. On the south front is a 

 portico, supported by noble columns. The pediment is enriched 

 by the family arms. Under this portico is the principal entrance. 

 The demesne came into the possession of the present family 

 about the beginning of the last century ; and the principal 

 alterations and improvements were carried out by the first 

 Marquis, and under the superintendence of Adams. One wing 

 extends 300 feet west from the main building, and is in the 

 Italian style. It forms a screen to the stable-yaixl and offices 

 behind, and contains the library, orangery, and chapel, besides 

 offices. The chapel, which is in the centre of this wing, is 

 surmounted by a beautiful turret tower, by Barry, which forms 

 a resting-point in viewing this rather long line of building. The 

 other wing runs nearly the same length to the north ; the space 

 between the two is devoted to offices, &c. 



Immediately in front of the west wing is the upper terrace, 

 extending the whole length of the wing, and about 60 feet in 

 width. This terrace is 8 feet higher than the lower one in 

 front, from which it is separated by a wall surmounted by 

 perforated work in dressed free-stone, vases, &c. The lower 

 terrace is reached by a flight of steps, and is on a level witli the 

 floor of the main body of the mansion, with the width of which it 

 corresponds, and its length is the same as that of the upper 

 terrace. Both are connected at the end by a raised terrace- 

 walk, at right angles with the terrace wall, terminating in a 

 handsome pavilion, which abuts immediately on the park, com- 



