NOVEMBER. 511 



are real oak, in simple patterns of parquetry ; of the lesser 

 rooms, a plain oak floor was all the nobility demanded in 

 those days. The doors, sashes, casings, &c., are solid oak, 

 and show their construction completely ; no veneering, putty- 

 ing, or painting whatever. The walls of some, and the ceil- 

 ings of all the best rooms, are plastered and decorated with 

 fine painting on the plastering, as a ground. The walls of a 

 few of the best rooms are covered with embossed leather in 

 gilt edgings. 



The most delicate carvings in wood, of game, fruit, and 

 flowers, (by celebrated carvers.) decorate some of the best 

 rooms. To give an account of the galleries of paintings and 

 sculpture, Avould be to write a book ; so I will only say, the 

 latter is very fine indeed, and in it is a very fine bust of Mr. 

 Everett, our late minister to St. James ; the former has many 

 very good pictures, and many that are mere trash : a large 

 collection of drawings, from all countries, is very good. 



The mansion is admirably located on the western slope of 

 the valley of the Derwent, and facing the west ; immediately 

 in front are terraced gardens in the Italian style, 1200 feet 

 long, with their "jets d'eau" in the centre. South of these 

 gardens is a Spanish chestnut tree, planted by the late Em- 

 peror of Russia, in 1816 ; and a variegated sycamore, planted 

 by the Arch Duke Michael, in 1818, in commemoration of 

 their visits. In another part of the garden, is a British oak, 

 planted by her Majesty (then Princess Victoria) in commemo- 

 ration of her visit, in 1832 ; and an American chestnut, 

 planted b'y the Duchess of Kent, at the same time. Beyond, 

 in the park, is a fine old stone bridge, supposed to be built 

 after a design by Michael Angelo. Q,ueen Mary's Bower is a 

 heavy stone structure, surrounded by a moat, and has the ap- 

 pearance of having been originally constructed for a battery, 

 or redoubt. Beyond the river, the ground rises in gentle un- 

 dulations, and is thickly dotted with villas and cottages. In 

 the distance is a range of hills. 



On the south is an extensive lawn, perfectly level, with 

 straight paths, bordered with a row of fine marble statues 

 of the gods and goddesses, and vases, with Deodar cedars 



