studded with shields, bearing the numerous heraldic devices of the family. The most conspicuous objects 

 are two large characteristic statues of the " Great Hunter," one of which represents him in the prime of 

 life, mounted on a noble and spirited horse, proceeding with three large deer-hounds to the chase ; the 

 other is the Death of the Stag. These bold and masterly efforts of the sculptor's art are from the 

 studio of C. Raymond Smith (1852). The figures are cut from solid blocks of a fine description of 

 freestone, and stand on oblong pedestals of deep red sandstone, three sides of which bear portions of 

 this inscription— "DE AQUILA ; LE GROS VENEUR. ANNO DNL, MLXVI." The next terrace 

 is laid out and planted in a somewhat similar manner to the one above ; and directly below it the 

 ground falls off in a gentle slope to a large serpentine piece of water, artificially connected with the 

 river Dee — a stream held sacred by both Britons and Romans. At the time of the excavation of this 

 lake portions of a Roman road, which probably connected Chester with other important stations, were laid bare ; 

 the foundations whereof consisted of large stones supported by strong piles driven deep into the ground 

 and filled in with gravel. The road previously passed through the picturesque village of Eccleston, 

 about a mile from Eaton, and the ford, which at the latter place connected it with the opposite shore, 

 was commanded by a strongly fortified position at Aldford — traces of which still remain. The broad 

 central walk that runs from the elegant portico of the Hall to the steps leading down to the water is 

 bordered by lines of vases and ornamental trees ; and the walk crossing it at right angles directly below 

 the second terrace, is nearly a quarter of a mile in length, diversified by some excellent specimens of 

 Pines, and works of art; and terminated at the northern end by a conservatory, and at the other by a 

 small temple. This temple contains an object of special interest connected with times anterior to the 

 introduction of Christianity to the inhabitants of this country, consisting of an altar dedicated to the 

 " Nymphs and Fountains " by the soldiers of the far-famed Twentieth Legion, who, with other Roman 

 warriors, made Chester their city and their camp for a space of four hundred years, as before alluded 

 to. It was dug up at Great Baughton, a township of Chester, in the year 1821, and is in a most 

 excellent state of preservation. It stands about three feet high, and the red sandstone of which it is com- 

 posed bears this inscription in very intelligible characters— " NYMPH IS ET FONTIBVS LEG. XX, V. V. 



The Conservatory, erected in the year 1852, at a cost of nearly ,£5,000, is a light, handsome, well- 

 finished structure, composed of cast-iron, with copper sashes, and glass reaching to the base. The 

 flooring and shelves are of stone, and it is heated by pipes running beneath the surface. The collection 

 of plants is an excellent and well-assorted one, and arranged with much effect. 



The south front of the Hall looks upon the " Dragon Fountain Garden," a retired and attractive 

 spot, made doubly interesting by the introduction of statues of the most renowned of the Grosvenor family. 

 These statues are four in number, placed on pedestals of red sandstone, and wrought from solid blocks 

 of stone by the masterly chisel of Westmacott. JOAN OF EATON, as the inscription runs, commonly 

 called the Heiress of Eaton, in the characteristic dress of the period, faces SIR ROBERT GROSVENOR, 

 who is represented in plate armour, with shirt of mail, and armed with a light description of battle-axe. 

 This Sir Robert was defendant in the famous suit brought forward by Sir Richard Scroope, respecting the 

 original right to the coat of arms {Azure, one bend, or.) used by these noble families, and which 

 occupied the attention of the Marshal of England three years, in the time of Richard II.* Extracts 

 from an account of this remarkable " suit of arms " in the Tabley MSS., is given in Ormerod's " History 

 of Cheshire;" to which valuable work we are indebted for many interesting particulars contained in this 

 paper. The other statues are those of ENGENULPH DE AQUILA, in massive chain armour; and 

 ODO EPISC. DE BAYEUX, in ecclesiastical habiliments, the celebrated Bishop, who was uncle to the 

 Conqueror, and appointed by him one of the Regents of the English nation on his return to Normandy, 

 after the battle of Hastings. The Fountain — a dragon — occupies the centre of the garden, which, divided 

 from the park by a wall, is of an oblong shape, prettily laid out, and planted with roses, geraniums, 

 calceolarias, verbenas, &c, and will, in the course of a few years, when the numerous ornamental shrubs 

 and trees have attained greater size, be a most beautiful and delightful retreat. From the west front 

 extends for a distance of two miles a very fine avenue of oak and elm trees, terminated by the Belorave 

 Lodge, a Gothic building, standing in the hamlet of that name, which forms part of the estate, and 

 confers the title of Viscount on this highly distinguished family. 



The well-kept walks about the grounds (which consist altogether of fifty-six acres) are extensive and 

 varied, winding amongst masses of thriving shrubbery, composed of the finest and most suitable specimens 

 of Rhodoraceee, Coniferse, and others, among which we noticed an Auricaria imbricata of large and healthy 



* The poet Chaucer, then 40 years of age, appeared as a witness in this case. 



