328 Walks in Berkshtre. . 
of Twyford. The neat and-secluded air 
of the cottages which are occasionally 
discoverea in this parish, interests the vi- 
sitor in its favour; and he forms much 
expectation concerning its natural attrac- 
tions, when he finds there is alake within 
its precincts, that takes a name from the 
parish. Ruscomb certainly does pes- 
sess many beauties, for which it is in- 
debted entirely to nature ; and the lake 
may, without doubt, be a choice object 
i the eyes of the inhabitants: but he 
surprise of the traveller is not totally un- 
mixed with indignation, when -he finds 
that the district so entitled is, in fact, a 
vast expanse of low  pasture-ground, 
which in winter may perhaps assume 
some faint resemblance of a lake, when 
the neighbouring rivers overflow, but 
which, for at least ten months out of the 
twelve, is covered with the flocks and 
herds of the thriving Ruscomb husband- 
men. _ 
It appears that cardinal Pole was 
made ‘ prebendary of Roscomb, in the 
church of Salisbury,” in 1517. 
visitor is more interested when he finds 
that the seat now tenanted by Mr. 
Comyns, but which is the property of 
Jady Eyre, was formerly the residence of 
William Penn,* who is supposed to have 
here written his _prefatory observations 
to George Fox’s Journal. This primitive 
supporter of the society of Friends, seems 
to have been popular in the vicinity of 
his retirement; for his name at entire 
length, or compound words allusive to 
his American possessions, frequently oc- 
cur in the parish-register of that period, 
as the appellations bestowed on their 
children by his rustic neighbours. 
An agreeable walk through the 
grounds formerly belonging to William 
Penn, (several points of which command 
rich views over the lake, and the adjacent 
country,) ushers the pedestrian to the 
small park dependent on Stanlake-house, 
once the seat of the Aldworths, the re- 
presentative of which family now pos- 
sesses tie title of Lord Braybrooke. The 
chief part of this house appears to have 
been built in the early part of Elizabetii’s 
reign, and is .strofgly marked with all 
the architectural peculiarities usual at 
that period. A contemptible perver- 
sion of taste has caused some improvcr 
of the edifice to construct a large addi- 
* The house was cased over, and large 
additional offices were built, by the late lords 
ediei-justice Eyre. 
But the. 
[May 1; 
tion, in the meanest possible style of the 
present time! How much it is to be 
regretted that men descended from an- 
cient families, and inhabiting the houses 
of their forefathers, de not perceive that 
they are treating the meiory of the dead 
with disrespect, while they disgust the 
eye crthe diving, by thus placing the 
prim formality of modern days. beside 
the wild irregular beauties of a Llenry's 
or an Elizabeth's venerable era ! 
The nature of my excursion will not 
allow me to disdain minute particulars. 
I do not walk amid the sublimities of 
nature, or the refinements of art. No 
Alps on Alps arise to crowd my page with 
a cluster of wonders; nor can I call the 
painter or the statuary to impart a grace 
to my descriptions. Thus  circume 
stanced, I cannot afford to let pass une 
told the local anecdote or family-iegend 3 
and I therefore puint the reader’s atten- 
tion to a narrow lane, with rugged have 
thorns and ancient pollards on each 
side, and which is directly opposite to 
the principal entrance of Stanlake-park. 
This rural avenue is termed Bucking 
ham’s Lane, and it derives its name fr m 
the perpetration of an honorable murde: ; 
for honourable certainly we must call the 
death-wound of sir Owen Buckingham, 
since he received it in the practice of 
duelling. 
About fifty years back, sir Owen Buck- 
ingham dined with Mr, ———, the 
opulent resident at Stanlake-house ; and 
nothing could exceed the hospitality of 
the entertainer, or the merriment of the 
visitors. The glass circulated briskly ; 
and sir Owen, in the unguarded hour of 
wine and mirth, spoke, it is believed, 
with levity concerning the conduct of 
a lady whose healti: was proposed by the 
master of the house. Blood alone cuuld 
expiate the offence; and, frantic with 
wine and rage, both parties proceeded to 
the lane on the outer side of the gate, 
and decided the question with their 
swords. The moon lent a dubious light 
to the barbarous scene, and the conflict 
was for a time maintained with mutu:l 
obstinacy; but sir Owen stumbled, and 
the sword of his adversary entered his 
breast, Several servants had witnessed 
the combat, and they now supported the 
wounded man to the house; but he died 
on the staircase, as they were endea- 
vouring to convey him to a chamber. A 
countryman shewed me the spot an 
which sir Owen fell; and spoke, in his 
way, 2 xtire on duelling, by asi 
; * that 
