THE PLANE. 



113 



hall are contrivances of Japan skreens instead of 

 wainscot, and there is an excellent pendule clock, 

 enclosed in the curious flower-work of Mr. Gibbons, 

 in the middle of the vestibule. The landscapes of the 

 skreens represent the manner of living, and country 

 of the Chinese. But above all, his lady's cabinet is 

 adorned, on the fret, ceiling, and chimney piece, 

 with Mr. Gibbons' best carving. There are also some 

 of Streeter's best paintings, and many curiosities of 

 gold and silver, as growing in the mines. The gardens 

 are exactly kept, and the whole place very agree- 

 able and well watered." The tree itself is mentioned 

 in a subsequent passage. " Sept. 16, 1683. — At the 

 elegant villa and garden of Mr. Bohun's at Lee. He 

 shewed me the Zinnar tree, or Platanus, and told 

 me that since they had planted this kind of tree 

 about the city of Ispahan in Persia, the plague, 

 which formerly much infested the place, had ex- 

 ceedingly abated of its mortal effects, and rendered 

 it very healthy." — Evelyn's Alemoirs, Vol. i. p. 525. 

 Lee Court remains at present much in the state in 

 which it was during Evelyn's time ; and the idea 

 of this Plane tree having been examined by him 

 with curiosity and interest, as one of the first intro- 

 duced into this country, is sufficient to give it value 

 in the eyes of all who are acquainted with his 

 admirable genius and virtues, independent of the 

 attraction which it may boast in its own beauty. — 



H 



