COMPTON WYNYATES 



In the very foremost rank among the large houses still remaining that 

 were built in Tudor times is the Warwickshire home of the Marquess of 

 Northampton. The walls are of brick, wide-jointed after the old custom, 

 with quoins, doorways, and window-frames of freestone, wrought into 

 rich and beautiful detail in the heads of the bays and the grand old 

 doorway, whose upper ornament is a large panel bearing the sculptured 

 arms of King Henry VIII. 



Formerly the house was entirely surrounded by a moat, which 

 approached it closely on all sides but one, where a small garden 

 was inclosed. Now, on the three sides next the building, grass 

 lawns take its place. On all sides but one, hilly ground rises almost 

 immediately; in steep slopes for the most part, beautifully wooded with 

 grand elms. 



To the north is the small garden still inclosed by the moat. Straight 

 along it is a broad grass walk with flower borders on both sides, leading 

 to a thatched summer-house that looks out upon the moat. Lesser paths 

 lead across and around among vegetables and old fruit-trees. At one 

 corner is a venerable Mulberry. 



The space within the quadrangle of the building is turfed and has 

 cross-paths paved with stone flags. Bushes of hardy Fuchsia mark their 

 outer angles of intersection. At the foot of the walls hardy Ferns are in 

 luxuriance, and nothing could better suit the place. There are a few 

 climbing Roses, but they are not overdone ; the beautiful building is 

 sufficiently graced, but not smothered, by vegetation. So it is throughout 

 the place both within and without ; house and garden show a loving 



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