x HIS VILLA AT CAMBERWELL in 



Tablets adorned the house on every hand, with emblems 

 of the Seasons, the Arts, Peace and Commerce, Sovereignty 

 and Truth ; a central group displayed the Isis of Sais. 

 Everything was correct, elegant and classical. Within 

 the villa, a west wing contained the library, museum and 

 greenhouse ; the first had sixteen departments, each 

 surmounted by a bust ; that of Fothergill presided over 

 medicine and botany. A museum of ores and natural 

 and curious objects was spread upon the tables. It was 

 a house of beauty and of learning, too rarely visited by 

 its owner, although he loved to entertain his friends 

 within its portals. Engravings portray for us its various 

 aspects, with the doctor standing in his garden amongst 

 his lady guests. Lettsom's house is no longer standing, 

 but another villa on his grounds, near to it, and once 

 occupied by his friend Dr. Smith, still remains. 1 



" Where Grove Hill shows thy villa fair, 

 But late, my Lettsom, there with thee 

 'Twas mine the tranquil hour to share 

 The social hour of converse free ; 



" That business, with fatiguing cares, 

 For this delightful seat of thine 

 Such scanty store of moments spares, 

 Say, Friend, shall I for this repine ? 

 Were it the commerce of the main, 

 Or culture of the teeming plain, 

 From blame or pity I could scarce refrain. 



" But O ! to alleviate human woes, 

 To banish sickness, banish pain, 

 To give the sleepless eye repose, 

 The nerveless arm its strength again ; 

 From parent eyes to dry the tear, 

 The wife's distressful thought to cheer, 

 And end the husband's and the lover's fear ; 



" Where want sits pining, faint and ill, 

 To lend thy kind unpurchased aid, 

 And hear the exertions of thy skill 

 With many a grateful blessing paid 

 "Tis luxury to the feeling heart, 

 Beyond what social hours impart, 

 Or nature's beauteous scenes, or curious works of Art ! " 



Poetical Works, 2nd ed. 1786, p. 190. 



1 This villa is now named Grove Hill House, and is in the occupation of 

 Dr. Couper Cripps. Most of the park and gardens have been built over ; 

 they extended southward down Camberwell Grove as far as what is now 

 called Lettsom Street. Some of the old trees a cedar before the front door, 



