GILLINGHAM, MERE, AND STOURHEAD. xlix. 



with composite capitals, combining the Corinthian acanthus leaf and 

 the Ionic ramshorn volute. The two flights of steps each end with a 

 large ornamental basin, on the rims of which two sculptured birds 

 lean forward in the attitude of drinking. The prospect of parkland 

 includes many fine beeches and Spanish chestnuts, the boles of which 

 have attained enormous size. The whole house was entirely gutted 

 by a disastrous fire on April 16th, 1902 ; but, fortunately, by the 

 energy of the occupants and the assistance received, most of the 

 pictures, statuary, and objets d'art were saved ; but the magnificent 

 plaster ceilings and the fine mantelpieces were destroyed. Sir 

 Henry Hoare began the work of restoration without delay, the 

 architect employed being Sir Aston Webb, F.S.A., of Salisbury. The 

 portico is now surmounted by three leaden statues by the Flemish 

 sculptor Rysbrach, of whose work so many examples may be seen in 

 the house and the pleasure grounds. 



The HON. SECRETARY announced that Sir Henry Hoare, 

 who would otherwise have been present to conduct the Club 

 personally, much regretted his absence owing to a business 

 engagement . The party were then conducted through the suite 

 of apartments to inspect the rare articles of furniture, statuary, 

 and collection of pictures, which are the special feature. 



In the entrance hall they were shown the family portraits, including 

 the large equestrian portrait of Mr. Henry Hoare, the figure by Dahl and 

 the horse by Wootton, flanked by portraits of the present Sir Henry 

 Hoare and Lady Hoare by Mr. St. George Hare, an artist whose work 

 is well represented in the house. In the Inner Hall they noticed some 

 spirited bassi relievi by Rysbrach. Nearly all the rooms have their 

 walls completely covered with pictures, of which we can of course 

 notice but few. In the Music Room the portrait of Sir Henry Ainslie 

 Hoare's daughter Augusta is by Lord Leighton. Over the door 

 leading to the hall is an original sketch, by Paolo Veronese, done for a 

 ceiling executed in Venice. Attention was also attracted by a hand- 

 some carved mahogany table, said to be the work of Chippendale, 

 and a Jacobean inlaid cabinet, dated 1662. On entering the library 

 one's eyes are arrested by a painting on a glass window taken from 

 the school at Athens by Eggington. The mahogany furniture of this 

 beautiful apartment was all made by Chippendale to the order of 

 Sir Richard Colt Hoare. The two busts of Milton occupying niches in 

 the walls are by Rysbrach. One of the pleasantest rooms is the little 

 dining room. The carved wooden mantelpiece here is the work of 

 Grinling Gibbons, while the chairs are part of the set made by 

 Chippendale for Marie Antoinette. In this room, supported by four 



