was at one time called Isleworth Park, and at another the New Park of Richmond.* It was demised, in the year 1574, to Edward Bacon, third son of the Lord Keeper by his first wife, and was afterwards the property of the great Sir Francis Bacon, who passed in this retirement the earlier and more happy part of his valuable life. He had here the honour of entertaining Queen Elizabeth; on which occasion he presented her with a sonnet in praise of her favourite, the Earl of Essex. His fond attachment to the spot on which he had imbibed his first opinions, and on which he had examined Nature in philosophical leisure, is proved by a design he entertained at a period of mature life, and after a painful acquaintance with scenes of bustle and ambition. It appears that Sir Francis projected the establishment of a corporation, for the purpose of exploring abandoned mineral works. In a paper preserved in the British Museum, he calculates on the probability of this design meeting with encouragement; and, among other instructions, gives the following: "Let Twitnam Park, which I sold in my younger days, be purchased, if possible, for a residence for such deserving persons to study in, since I experimentally found the situation of that place much convenient for the trial of my philosophical conclusions, expressed in a paper sealed to the trust which I myself had put in practice, and settled the same by act of parliament, if the vicissitudes of fortune had not intervened and prevented me." It is unnecessary to say that this scheme was not carried into execution. The estate afterwards passed through various hands. In the early part of the seventeenth century it was the property of Lucy, the admired but extravagant wife of Edward, Earl of Bedford, whose wit and beauty were celebrated by the best poets of the age. This lady resided at Twickenham Park for several years; but, in 1618, she gave the estate to her relation, Sir PART IV. William 2 B Norden, in the MS. additions to his Speculum Britanniæ, made in the latter part of the sixteenth century, says that "Twickenham Parke is now disparked." William Harrington. In 1668 it was purchased by John, Lord Berkeley, of Stratton, who resided here during the latter years of his life. This nobleman was a distinguished adherent of the royal cause in the civil war, and evinced his valour and ability in several engagements in the west of England. The most important action in which he commanded on the side of the royalists, was that of Stratton, from which place he took his title when created a peer by King Charles II. The Berkeley family appear to have resided at Twickenham Park till the year 1685. In 1743, it was purchased by Algernon, Earl of Mountrath. The following particulars respecting the subsequent disposal of the estate, are given in the "Environs of London," and they present an instance of fortuitous accuracy of calculation, too curious to be omitted. The widow of the Earl of Mountrath, by her will, bearing date 1766, bequeathed the estate to the Duchess of Montrose during the joint lives of the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle; but if the Duchess of Newcastle should survive the Duke, the Duchess of Montrose to quit possession to her; and if she should survive her, to enjoy it again during her life: after the death of the Duchess of Montrose, to remain to Lord Frederick Cavendish and his issue; on failure of which, after his death, to Lord John Cavendish and his issue, with remainder to Sir William Abdy, Bart. and his heirs in fee. It is remarkable, that except in the instance of Lord John not surviving Lord Frederick Cavendish, every thing happened which the Countess thus singularly provided for: the Duchess of Montrose took possession, quitted to the Duchess of Newcastle took possession again on her death, in 1803, and was succeeded by Lord Frederick Cavendish, on whose death it devolved to Sir William Abdy in fee." The estate was afterwards divided into lots, and exposed to sale; when the greater part was purchased, as we have before observed, by Francis Gosling, Esq. The grounds contain some fine cedars; and it is believed, that the first weeping"wiflow known in this country was planted in Twickenham Park in the early part of the eighteenth century. At At a small distance from Richmond Bridge, on the southern side, is a handsome villa, for many years the residence of the late Richard Owen Cambridge, Esq. who may be said to have here realized the poetical delineation of Thomson, for, in the society of a "choice few," he was blessed with "An elegant sufficiency, content, Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books, Ease and alternate labour." The literary amusements of Mr. Cambridge were uniformly of an instructive and tasteful character. His papers in the periodical publication intituled " The World," assuredly rank among the most judicious and agreeable essays in that work; and the mock-heroic poem of the Scribleriad must be long admired for its playful vein of well-directed satire. His simplicity of manners, and numerous private virtues, are piously commemorated in a biographical account from the pen of his son; and those who knew the subject of the memoirs admit that the picture there drawn by the hand of filial reverence, is not overcharged in any particular relating to intrinsic worth. The house in which Mr. Cambridge resided is a spacious brick structure, built in the early part of the seventeenth cen→ tury, by Sir Humphrey Lynd, whom Anthony Wood describes as a zealous puritan, and who attained some temporary emimence as a writer in opposition to the Romish church. It was afterwards possessed by the Ashe family, and was considerably enlarged by Windham Ashe, Esq. at which time the present west front was built. Mr. Cambridge purchased the estate in 1751; and the house is now the property and residence of his son, the Rev. George Owen Cambridge, M. A. Archdeacon of Middlesex, and Prebendary of Ely. This seat is liberally adorned with productions of the arts, among which are a judicious selection of pictures by the old masters, and some fine portraits. 2 B2 Between Between Richmond Bridge and the village of Twickenham is a public but rural walk, on the border of the River Thames ; and, probably, no promenade of a similar extent in any part of this fertile island presents a display of scenery so soft and so highly cultivated. The Thames here flows in its happiest vein; broad, gentle, and lucid. The banks are unequal; and while, at some points, the rises are naturally sloped with tender gracefulness of outline, the Surrey shore presents, towards Richmond, an ascent bold, abrupt, and clothed in fine masses of wood. In every part, whether Nature incline to gentle slope or rapid acclivity, Art has performed its assistant task with all the care which blended wealth and taste could dictate. The scenery on these borders of the Thames must have been truly captivating even when unadorned. Embellished as it now is, it conveys an idea of elegant luxury which the utmost labours of the pen would vainly endeavour to impart. At a moderate distance from the river, as we pursue the path leading to Twickenham, is the seat termed Marble Hill. This villa was built by King George II. for his mistress, the Countess of Suffolk. The purchase of the estate is said by Lord Orford to have cost the king ten or twelve thousand pounds. The house was built after a design of Henry, Earl of Pembroke, and the progress of the structure was occasionally superintended by the same noble architect. The exterior is of a plain character, but is of proportions extremely pleasing. The principal front is towards the north. Ionic pilasters support an angular pediment, on the tympanum of which are a vacant shield and scroll. The southern front (which is represented in the annexed view,) is still more simple. The interior contains the principal attractions of the building. It has evidently been the chief study of the architect to form a desirable suite of rooms in the second story; and, in pursuit of this intention, he has sacrificed the height of the apartments on the other floors. The principal rooms are of proportions admirably |