10 





FRAGMENT IV. 



CONCERNING COBHAM. 



Whether we consider its extent, its magnificence, or its com 

 fort, there are few places which can vie with Cobham, in Kent 

 the seat of the Earl of Darnley ; and none which I can mention 



* 



so much has been done, both to the house and grounds 



where 

 under 



my direct 



for 



long a series of years 



yet, 



as the 



general principles in the improvements originated in the good 

 taste of its noble Proprietor, they may be referred to without 



is 



the imputation of vanity, 



now twenty-five years since I first visited Cobh 

 larg 



am 



e and 



9 



splendid Palace, of the date of Queen 



Elizabeth, formed the three sides of a quadrangle, the fourth 

 side being open to the west. 



The centre building had been 

 altered by Inigo Jones, who had added four pilastres 

 any attention to the original style, and without extending his 



without 



improvements to the two long sides of the quadrangl 



Th 



interior of this mansion, like that of most old hoii 



however adapted to the customs and 

 which they were built 

 with modern hou 



ses, 



manners of the times 



in 



was cold and 



mfortless 



compared 



A large hall, anciently used as the dining 



pied more than half the centre 



> 



and the rest belonged 









