77 



MELFORD HALL, 



SUFFOLK, . . . 



THE SEAT OF 



REV. SIR W. HYDE PARKER. Bart. 



M 



OS P counties in the U-> 

 obviously attractive p.irt-- 

 of l-.n^ianJ have their 

 .inJ bad d.-tu.tN ^'.l an) bad, that is, from the 

 vnti.il point of view. Suffolk is no exception to the rule, 

 there being in the county parts where the soil is first-rate for 

 the farmer, hut in which for many generations no new or old 

 mansions ha\e been built or inhabited by the cla-.s who seek 

 the country, not to pur-ue business, but to enjoy the pleasures 

 ol the country life. \\ hilst other neighbourhoods hav. been noted 

 for many centuiies for the number and character of the fine houses 

 with good estates t'v.-re situated. One of the earliest parts of the 

 the erect >J mansions alter the Kelorma- 



tiunwas that mi thewe>t-m side, where a tnbut.ir. oi the 

 river Stour meets the nver n.-ar 1. 0:1^ Mrllord. It is cl'^r ! 

 the lis-cx border, well w<>o.!,-d and watered, and lull f th:- 

 kind ut sc. nery th it (I'ms'alMe, who was born at n> 

 distance away, deli^ht<\l to paint. All that was Ivst in the 

 neiyhbotirho^l centred round the Ivautiful little town ol I 

 Mellord. There st-Kid, and still stands, one oi t! ..- liiu-vt ,.| 

 Suliilk churches, a rectory which canu-,1 a in. mm, kmtwil. 

 Hall (which is described and illustrat d in this volume). M 

 Place, and the s,ubjevt of the present aiticle, Mel!'-id Hal 1 , 

 one of the best I'udor houses ..) |:ast Ar^iia. A ! n^ list it 

 distinguished men were born at Long Mi lt"id. and lie buruj 

 in the church: Maitins, lJaic\s, C>loj'to;.>, Coidell*, ai: I 



THE GATE-HOUSE. 



