becoming successor of Sir Thomas Gresham. The mansion was long the residence of the Child family, and is now the seat of the Earl of Jersey, in right of his Countess, whom we have previously noticed as the grand-daughter of Robert Child, Esq.

The principal parts of the ancient structure were taken down by Fancis Child, Esq. about the year 1760, at which time the mansion was rebuilt as it at present appears.

Osterley House is of a quadrangular form, enclosing a central area, or court. The building is 140 feet in length, from east to west; and 117 feet, from north to south. The ground-plan of the former house is nearly preserved in the present edifice. At each corner of the original building stood a square turret ;* and these turrets have laudably been preserved as vestiges of a celebrated fabric, but have been newly

The material of the whole pile, independent of the portico and balustrade, is brick, and from this circumstance it partakes less of imposing dignity of character than might be expected from proportions so well calculated to produce a commanding effect. On the east, or principal, front, where was formerly the square court divided in attention to the fancy of Queen Elizabeth, is now a grand portico, composed of twelve columns of the Ionic order, supporting an angular pediment, the tympanum of which, together with the roofing of the portico, is richly ornamented. The entrance is by a fine and spacious flight of stone steps, and the building finishes at top, in every division, with a stone balustrade.t

The interior was completed under the direction of the late Robert Child, Esq. who succeeded to the estate on the decease of his brother Francis, in 1763. The principal rooms of this

mansion

It is said by Lord Orford, in his Description of Houghton Hall, that the design of the towers forming a part of that building was taken from those at Osterley Park.

+ The principal front of Osterley House is shewn in the annexed Engrav

mansion are of stately proportions, and are finished with much cost and delicacy. The great hall of entrance is of noble dimensions, and is finely adorned with stucco work. The staircase is enriched by a painting of the apotheosis of William the first, Prince of Orange, executed by Rubens, and brought from Holland by Sir Francis Child.

The Gallery is 150 feet in length, and contains many select. and valuable pictures by the old masters, together with some . fine portraits, among which may be mentioned those of Sir Thomas Gresham; the Duke of Buckingham, by Rubens ; King Charles and the Earl of Strafford, by Vandyck; the Duchess of York, by Sir Peter Lely; Mrs. Hughes, by the same; and a fine portrait of Vandyck, by himself.

The ceiling of the great Drawing room is richly ornamented with stucco, interspersed with gilding. Adjoining this apartment is a second Drawing-room, bung with excellent tapestry, which was procured from the Gobeline manufactory, in 1775. A connecting gallery has also tapestry-hangings.

The State Bed-room is furnished with great magnificence; and in different apartments are several good portraits, among which occur those of the late Robert Child, Esq. his two bro.. thers, and his wife, afterwards Lady Ducie.

The Library is fitted up with much elegance. The ceiling is ornamented in stucco, and paintings are introduced in pannels on the sides and ends of the room. The books, which are numerous and extremely valuable,* are placed in cases abundantly carved and ornamented.

A catalogue of the books in the library at Osterley Park was drawn up. by Dr. Morell, in 1771; of which catalogue only twenty-five copies were printed. Mr. Francis Child purchased, for 20001. the whole valuable collection (intended for public auction, and arranged in 2343 lots) of his relation, Bryan Fairfax, Esq. In Mr. West's catalogue, No. 1920 (made up of old title-pages of early printed books, &c.) contained a MS. list of " books in Mr. Child's library at Osterley, printed before the year 1500;" and ano. ther such list," before the year 1551." See Nichola's Literary Anecdotes, Vol. V. p.327; and Gough's Topographer, Vol. I.

Osterley House stands nearly in the centre of its attached park, a district comprising about 350 acres. The flat, dull, character of the country in this neighbourhood is repulsive to the cultivation of the picturesque. But these imparked grounds are desirably shaded with wood, and are much em bellished by two broad sheets of water. An air of seclusion and languor hangs over the whole, which would be more congruous and estimable if the mansion were entirely of an ancient date; if the rooms in which the mighty Queen Elizabeth sat, surrounded by her courtiers, and attended by her approv ed merchant, were yet remaining, in venerable grandeur.

The gardens are very extensive. In this part of the premises was formerly a menagerie, containing many rare and valuable birds, on which Lady Ducie bestowed considerable attention.*

The parish church of Heston presents specimens of the Gothic, or English style, prevailing in different ages. The body of the church is chiefly formed of flint. At the west end is a square tower, lofty and embattled, with a turret, of proportions unusually large, at one of the angles. The west and south doors are sheltered by ancient wooden porches.

The interior is divided into a double chancel, nave, and two aisles. On the south side of the chancel is a small chapel, used as a place of family-burial. The font is octagonal, of plain construction, and of the large size designed for entire immersion.

The most ancient monumental record, in good preservation, is a brass plate to the memory of Richard Amondesham, or Awnsham, "parson of Craynford," who died in 1612; but there are some remains of older brasses on two gravestones in the flooring. On the south wall of the chancel is the monument of Robert Child, Esq. of Osterley-park, who died on the 28th of July, 1782. This monument is of white marble, and

• Two volumes of coloured prints, from rare and curious birds in this menagerie, were published in 1794, by William Hayes, of Southall.