was not only a cultivator of flowers, || says, that by some the house was he excelled also in painting them, thought to equal Nonsuch, if not to and specimens of his skill in that art | exceed it; and Swift, in one of his remained for some years at Wimble- letters, calls it much the finest place don. At the Restoration this estate about London. It was taken down reverted to the queen-dowager; but by the Duchess of Marlborough, who "it smelt so strong of a rebel," says erected a new edifice upon or near the Magna Britannia, that it was the site, after a design by the Earl soon sold by her to the trustees of of Pembroke. This house was acGeorge Digby, Earl of Bristol. Of cidentally burned down in 1785. Some his widow it was purchased by the of the offices only being preserved Earl of Danby, afterwards created from the flames, were fitted up and Duke of Leeds. At his death this used for several years as an occaestate was sold, under a decree in sional residence by the noble proChancery, in 1717 to Sir Theodore prietor. The present Mansion, of Janssen, who becoming deeply in- which a View is given in the annexed volved in the South Sea scheme, it engraving, stands a little to the northwas again put up to sale, and pur- west of the former building: it was chased for 15,0001. by the Duchess erected after the designs of the late of Marlborough. Her grace gave it Mr. Holland. The situation of this to her grandson, John Spencer, Esq. structure, which was completed in whose descendant, Earl Spencer, is 1801, is particularly advantageous, the present proprietor. having towards the north a beautiful home prospect of the park, and an extensive view over the county of Surrey to the south.

Wimbledon-House, rebuilt in 1588 by Sir Thomas Cecil, is described as a magnificent structure," which being placed on the side slip of a rising ground, renders it to stand of that height, that betwixt the basis of the brick wall of the lower court and the hall-door there are five severall assents, consisting of threescore and ten stepps, which are distinguished in a very graceful manner." Fuller

The park, which contains 1200 acres, exhibits a pleasing variety of surface, and was planted and laid out with great taste by Brown. To the north of the house it is adorned with a sheet of water that covers fifty acres.

PYNES,

THE SEAT OF SIR STAFFORD HENRY NORTHCOTE, BART.

PYNES is the principal seat of the Northcote family. Upton-Pyne or Bramford-Pyne is situated in the hundred of Wonford, about six miles from Crediton, and four from Exeter. The manor belonged to the family of Pynes as early as the reign of Henry I. After ten descents, the heiress of this ancient family brought

it to that of Larder: after five descents more, it passed by marriage to a branch of the Caplestones, of whom it was purchased by Hugh Stafford, Esq.; and his daughter and heiress brought it by marriage to Sir Henry Northcote, Bart. father of the present and sixth baronet.

The ancient family of Northcote

Pynes owes every thing to its situation, which is retired and beautiful, though but a short drive from the city of Exeter. The mansion is said to have been built by Inigo Jones. In external appearance it has not much to boast, but within it possesses every comfort. The suites of apart

dining-room contains some of Northcote's best pictures, and a very fine Vandyke.

derives its descent from Galfridus de || The manor of Kennerly is likewise Northcote, who possessed Northcote, his property. Steventon or Stephenin the parish of East Downe, in the ston became the property of Sir Staf12th century. After many descents, ford by purchase in 1806. during which the heiresses or coheiresses of Hilion, Meols, Hawkworthy, Guamed or Mamhede, and Passmere, married into the family, Walter Northcote acquired Hayne, in the parish of Newton St. Cyres, by marriage with the heiress of Drew: their daughter and heiress married to Yarde. His nephew, John North-ments are lofty and spacious. The cote, was created a baronet in 1641: he married the heiress of Haswell; and his son, Sir Arthur, married the heiress of Welsh. The fifth baronet, Sir Henry, married the heiress of Stafford of Pynes, as already noticed. Hayne, the old family seat of the Northcotes, is in the parish of Newton St. Cyres. A portion of the hall is still remaining, and it continues the property of the family. The manor of Bramford-Speke, adjoining, which for many descents belonged to the Espek or Speke family, is now by purchase the property of Sir Stafford, who also possesses the barton of Woodrow.

The lawn is admirably arranged, and possesses a beautiful display of various trees, among which the pine is remarkably fine. That portion of lawn immediately round the house, generally laid out in plantations, is in this beautiful spot particularly delightful; the natural formation of the ground, its aspect, and the fine trees that surround the house, concur with the flowering shrubs, aviaries, and other embellishments, to render the home scene truly delicious. This intermixture of flowering shrubs and stately trees carries on in the sweetest possible manner the home arrangements, and blends them with the more distant park and forest scenery. The sloping grounds in front of the mansion, combined with the many windings of the Exe through the valley, backed by the bold hills called Maypolehead, are particularly fine. This view is seen from the house through the woods to great advantage; and a wear midway in ́ the vale, over which the water dashes,

Yewton-Arundell was bought by this family in 1600, and is now the property of Sir Stafford. The manor of Dawland has been in the Stafford family for many generations, and is the property of Sir Stafford Northcote by inheritance. In the parish church are monuments of the family of Stafford of Pynes. Sir Stafford is impropriator of the tithes and patron of the curacy. Winscot is likewise the property of this family by inheritance, as well as Blaincomb, described as a manor in ancient re-adds greatly to its interest. cords. The manor of Iddesleigh is the property of Sir Stafford by purchase of Sir Charles Bingham, Bart.

Some very extensive plantations of firs are breaking into fine forms on the high grounds, and young

hitherto destitute of wood. The choice of those trees for this situation has been judiciously considered, particularly as to their figure, the surrounding hills being of a hemispherical form; the pointed firs produce the variety so much desired, besides adding a value to the undulating lines which they would otherwise lose from their multiplicity. This forest of firs too has a pleasing effect in the dull season of the year.

plantations are flourishing in parts || casional glimpses are caught of the sweet and retired scenery around. In the midst of this walk a smal' summer-house is so situated as to command a lovely view, and to become a pleasing ornament to this drive: it is beautiful in form and colour; rough unbarked trees have been made use of. It has fanciful perforations, through which the honeysuckle and other creeping plants find their way. Being situated on a bold terrace, and nearly surrounded with trees, the trees, the open work has a double advantage in the approach, a partial view of the distant landscape being obtained in consequence. The alcove commands a very beautiful view, not only of the home scene and the stone bridge of Cowley crossing the Exe, which seems to form a portion of the estate, but of the distant village of Exwick and the suburbs of Exeter embosomed in wood, with the still more distant church of Alphington, backed by a fine range of hills skirting the horizon.

In traversing these plantations some charming views of the distant country are obtained, particularly over Killerton, which rises in the middle distance, its bold, broad, and well wooded park finely contrasting with the very highly cultivated country around it. Amidst the woods several pretty parish churches with their white towers are seen nestling. This drive is continued on the one side down through a lovely glen to the Exe, while, on the other, it continues along a bold terrace, from which oc

NOWADAYS.

THERE are no people who make || reasonably suppose a Roman to have themselves more ridiculous than those done after the inroads of the barbawho are always drawing comparisons rians. They are constantly harping between old and new times unfavour-on the " good old times." They able to the latter. The thing is an absurdity in itself, as if half a century's advance in the course of civilization must have rendered us inferior to our grandfathers; or as if we ought to take our models from those whose only advantage lies in being nearer to that abyss of ignorance and barbarism, which succeeded the enlightened periods of Grecian free-lous than the beldam in a hoop; or dom and Roman greatness. In fact, these people talk and act as we should

exist in this century, but live in the last. "Nowadays nothing is done aright, and every thing goes wrong." The degeneracy of the present race is their favourite theme, as if the dandy in starch and stays were a more contemptible object than the petit maitre in red heels and ruffles, or the élégante in net-lace more ridicu

as if the unfettered baby in petticoats must, of necessity, grow up