66 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



and the untidy debris of 



their pecking and plumage. 



Neglect and disorder were 



everywhere around ; but 



through it all smiled John 



Caryl's beautiful timber 



front, embowered, but not 



obscured, by a clambering 



grape-vine. It is this 



timbered front, and some 



portions of the house of 



earlier Tudor work, that 



comprise the oldest now 



remaining of the habitable 



parts of the building. 



To the eastward the house 

 was originally larger, but 

 this part was demolished 

 by one of the Nortons. 

 Evidences of the former 

 existence of a great hall 

 remain in the magnificent 

 beam and king-post, now 

 rather awkward impedi- 

 ments in the bedroom 



above, where the lower line of the beam comes 

 about shoulder high. 



As in the case of a number of other houses of 

 the same class and of about the same date, the great 

 hall had its height reduced by half by a bedroom 

 floor being built within it. As civilisation advanced, 

 the need was felt for greater privacy in the way of 

 sleeping accommodation, and it was obtained in this 

 way without adding externally to the size of the 

 house. From a social point of view, such a course 

 can only be applauded, however regrettable it is from 

 the architectural standpoint. Archaeologists say that 

 there must have been a further small gable westward, 

 with a large, high window, such as was usual in 

 the halls of these ancient houses. But this would 

 have been within the part taken down early in the 

 nineteenth century. When Great Tangley came 

 into Mr. Flower's hands twenty-four years ago, it 



7 UK /-LEA (I/ED WALK. 



THE EMPTY SEAT. 



was evident that a good deal must be done to fit it 

 for modern occupation. Happily, the architectural 

 work was entrusted to Mr. Philip Webb, whose 

 reverent treatment, as far as the older part of the 

 structure went, was confined to what was strictly 

 necessary. This eminent architect set his face 

 entirely against any renewal that should be in direct 

 imitation of the old work ; and when, later, another 

 sitting-room and more bedrooms were required, and 

 he built the library at the eastern end, it was done in 

 such a way that it assumed no effect of competition 

 with the timbered front. It is perfectly in harmony, 

 but gives the impression of voluntarily effacing itself 

 in order to enhance the value of the older work. Mr. 

 Webb was of opinion that nothing more could 

 possibly be added without serious loss to the character 

 of the building, a conviction that would seem to be 

 amply justified by the effect of a recent addition 



at the eastern end, finished 

 some six years ago. It 

 provides a large and hand- 

 some music-room and 

 some bedrooms, all on the 

 ground floor, and makes 

 Great Tangley a larger 

 and more commodious 

 country house. The work 

 is excellent, that of a 

 younger architect of great 

 ability, and, considering 

 the size of the addition, it 

 is, perhaps, as little 

 obtrusive as possible. But 

 there can be no doubt 

 that it overloads the old 

 house, and takes away 

 much of its charm. The 

 timber bridge and covered 

 way that lead so pleasantly 

 across the moat to the 

 house-front are a part 

 of Mr. Webb's original 

 work. Near the water- 

 level in the moat, a little 



