House and Garden 
A CORNER OF THE STATE DRAWING-ROOM 
arch-destroyer ot many of our cathedrals, was 
employed by the Marquis of Bath to improve Long- 
leat. His destructive hand happily fell lightly on the 
beautiful mansion, and beyond the construction of a 
grand staircase and some galleries, and the recon¬ 
struction of the north side of the house, which had 
been for some years in a ruinous state, he did nothing 
to mar the beauty of this noble dwelling place. The 
situation of Longleat is a fitting framework to the 
picture of the mansion. A noble avenue a mile in 
length leads to the south front. I'here is a portico 
with a flight of stone steps leading to the entrance 
door. Over the door are the arms of the Marquess 
of Bath. I'he front is 220 feet in length, the width 
of the house being 180 feet. There are three stories, 
and one is struck by the numerous large mullioned 
windows. "1 here are four slightly projecting bays, 
which agreeably break the line of the wall. i he 
surface of the wall is adorned wdth pilasters and 
between the rows of windows are busts in medallions. 
A parapet surmounts the w-all, and on it stand four 
colossal figures. The hall is shut off by a screen from 
the entrance passage, and as I have said this screen 
and the fine chimney-piece were erected by the second 
Sir )ohn Thynne,and show signs of German influence. 
The hall is adorned with some fine old Flemish tapes¬ 
try of fifteenth century workmanship, and some eight¬ 
eenth century paintings of hunting scenes by jolin 
Wootton. On the gallery are the arms of the Thynne 
family, impaled with those of the families connected 
wTtli them. I'he carving is said to have been 
executed by Grinling Gibbons. Some old armor 
and the horns of an Irish elk are also preserved here. 
We pass into the corridor where is‘ a fine gilded 
dower chest, and some family paintings. 
Tongleat is rich in literary treasures and has a 
noble library. First w'e visit the ante-library. 
I'he ceiling of this chamber and of other rooms was 
redecorated about thirty years ago by the late 
Marcjuess. 1 he doors are beautifully inlaid Floren¬ 
tine work. The green library has a fine, early 
Jacobean ceiling and some pictures by Holbein. 
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