consecrated mirth and hospitable indulgencies, — in many instances became as ruinous and broken as the 

 power that raised them. The site of these buildings was generally granted with the manor or manors 



attached to them, and in the year 1547 the monastery and revenues of Woburn were granted by Edward 

 VI to John, Lord Russell, afterwards created Earl of Bedford by the same Prince. This nobleman 

 was also a great favourite of Henry the VIII, and his rapid rise was due to his merit and general 

 accomplishments. He died in 1555, and was buried at Chenies, in Buckinghamshire, with his Lady, 



by whom he had acquired that estate. He w r as the founder of the family possessions in this part of the 



country ; and, although the church property granted to them was immense, their estates have been 

 considerably increased by purchase, particularly by John, fourth Duke of Bedford. The family have 



always been distinguished by a liberal spirit and enlightened views, and many are honourably connected 

 with the historical events of their country. Francis, the second earl, will always be remembered for 

 his enterprising and successful attempt in draining a large fenny district in Cambridgeshire, known as 

 the great level. 



Woburn Abbey was founded in the year 1145, by Hugh de Bolebec, for Monks of the Cistercian 

 order. The first Abbot was Alan, transferred from the Monastery of St Mary's, at York. In 1234 



it had become so poor that for a time it was found necessary to break it up ; but on being re-endowed, 

 it obtained many privileges, and continued flourishing under various auspices till the Dissolution, when its 

 yearly value was £391 18s. 2d. Singular enough, the last Abbot, Robert Hobbs, was hung in front 

 of the Monastery for denying the King's supremacy. 



Woburn Abbey was almost wholly rebuilt by Flicroft, for John, Duke of Bedford, about the 

 middle of the last century. It is a magnificent structure, presenting four sides of a quadrangle. 



The great stables mentioned by Pennant as having formed part of the cloisters of the old Abbey were 

 pulled down by the late Duke, and a suite of rooms now occupy their site. The present stables 

 form wings of a handsome building, in the centre of which are the Tennis-court, 108 feet in length, 

 and the Riding-house, which, including a gallery at one end for spectators, is 130 feet long. A 

 colonnade a quarter of a mile in length connects tliese and other buildings with the entrance to her 

 Grace's private garden. The Picture Gallery contains a large and valuable collection of paintings, 



including many portraits of the illustrious house of Russell, and those allied to it by marriage ; and the 

 Sculpture Gallery possesses numerous rare and splendid specimens of statuary, vases, and other works 

 of art by the best masters. 



The Terrace Garden was formed in 1852. It is separated from her Grace's Garden by a 



border of Rhododendrons, and an iron railing with a gate, highly ornamented, and gilt at the entrance. 

 When this is thrown open a promenade of stone pavement 235 feet long extends down the south part 

 of the Abbey. The Terrace Garden is oblong in shape, and divided into several compartments by 

 straight walks that branch into the main one leading to the Sculpture Galley, Camellia-house, Heathery, 

 and other parts of the grounds. It is fenced on the western and southern sides by a handsome gilt 

 iron railing of a diamond pattern, placed on a stone plinth level with the ground, and sustained at 

 intervals of 30 feet by pieces of Portland stone the same height as the railing. Along the middle 

 walk of the garden, two lines of standard Portugal Laurel are planted, which form an avenue, and 

 when viewed from a distance have the appearance of Orange trees. In the centre of this avenue is 



placed a large Dutch sun-dial, elevated upon a granite pedestal, and opposite to it are two semicircular 

 raised flower-beds, designed by the late Lady Caroline Sandford. These beds are well adapted to 



display effectively the brilliant blossoms of the Flower of the Day Geranium, and varieties of Verbena 

 with which they are planted. A group of the Fighting Cupids, in white marble upon a granite 

 pedestal, rises at the extremity of the middle walk. The centre of this garden is again crossed by a 

 walk 11 feet wide, on which are placed two ornamental bronze fountains with octagon basins, to supply 

 this part of the garden with water. These fountains are from the Versailles collection, and form in 



their present situation a pleasing contrast to a range of white marble and Bath stone vases, and a 

 variety of shrubs that adorn this spot. Along the walk nearest to the Abbey, four very fine marble 

 vases are arranged in line, which originally decorated the Gardens of the Empress Josephine, at 

 Malmaison. Near to these, on the grass, are two unique groups of bronze figures, surmounted by 

 marble basins on carved pedestals, displaying the laurel and the rose. In the summer these basins 

 are filled with Salvia patens, Petunias, Fuchsias, and other gay flowers, forming a mass of bright 

 colour, and an agreeable contrast to each other when in bloom. The margins of the walks are 



decorated with Hydrangeas, Junipers, Taxus, Acuba japonica, &c, all planted in tubs. The sides of 



the main walk leading from the Terrace Garden towards the Sculpture Gallery are ornamented also with 

 vases of Bath stone and white marble, the former, being filled with scarlet Geranium^ have a very gay 

 and graceful appearance during the Autumn months. 



