retired hither, and prepared himself, "by fasting and prayer," for an entrance on his important and dignified duties with becoming humility of temper.*

BURY STREET diverges from the high road towards the north-west, and comprises several scattered residences, which bear marks of considerable age. Amongst these must be noticed Bury Hall, now in the occupation of James Bowden Esq. This building is believed to have been the seat of President Bradshaw, and the consequent resort of some of the most conspicuous characters in opposition to the cause of the unfortunate King Charles. The interior retains several of its original ceilings and embellishments. Over the chimney-piece of the dining-room are the arms of Bradshaw.

On BUSH HILL, a gentle and pleasing eminence in the northern part of the parish, are the following handsome villas.

Bush hill Park, the seat of William Mellish, Esq. one of the representatives in Parliament for the county of Middlesex, is a commodious brick mansion, formerly the property of the Sambrooke family, from whom it descended to the grandfather of the present proprietor. The principal front is placed towards the attached park, which is well-wooded, and is watered by the narrow but ornamental channel of the New River, The grounds, which command many attractive points of prospect, are said to have been originally laid out by Le Nautre. Among the embellishments of the interior of this mansion, we must not omit to notice a fine piece of carving, by Grinling Gibbons, representing the stoning of St. Stephen. This exquisite piece of workmanship is the more remarkable, as it was incidental to the advancement in life of the artist. It stood for some time in the house occupied by Gibbons, in conjunction with a musician, at Deptford. It was here seen by the beneficent and ingenious Mr. Evelyn; and that gentleman, with the assistance of Sir Peter Lely successfully introduced the carver to the notice of Charles II.

The

Tillotson's Works, Vol. 1II. p. 033.

The large and handsome villa of Isaac Currie, Esq. is seated on one of the most desirable points of this fine swell of land, and will be viewed with no ordinary interest when it is observed that on this spot stood the residence of that eminent bene. factor to the comfort and salubrity of the metropolis, Sir Hugh Middleton. Some parts of the old building are still remaining, but great alterations and improvements have been effected, chiefly by the present proprietor. Within the spacious pleasuregrounds belonging to this mansion was formerly a wooden aqueduct, or open trough, 660 feet in length, constructed as a mean of counteracting the inconvenience arising from the ine quality of the ground at Bush-hill, in regard to the passage of the New River. This aqueduct was removed, and a firm embankment substituted, shortly subsequent to the year 1784.

On WINCHMORE HILL, a prominent elevation commanding diversified prospects, is constructed a large and rather pleasing village. A walk through some sheltered woodlands, of considerable extent, leads from this spot to SOUTHGATE, which is distant about three miles from Edmonton Church.

Southgate is a large and populous hamlet, ornamented with many residences of a superior description. Conspicuous amongst these is Arno's Grove,† the seat of John Walker, Esq. An ancient structure on this site, termed Arnold's, belonged in the 17th century to Sir John Weld, Knt.; and, after some intermediate transmissions, was purchased, in the year 1720, by James Colebrooke, Esq. who was succeeded in the property by his son, Sir George Colebrooke, Bart. As subsequent proprietors must be noticed Sir William Mayne, Bart, created Lord Newhaven in 1776; and James Brown, Esq. The estate was purchased of Mr. Brown by Isaac Walker, Esq. father of the present possessor.

Carte, the Historian, had a retired residence at Winchmore-hill, where he kept his papers and books.-See Nichols's Literary Anecdotes, Vol. 14

p. 476.

↑ This mansion is represented in the annexed Engraving,

This is a noble family-residence, respectable in exterior architectural character, and highly adorned, within, by the refined taste and liberality of the owner. The present mansion was commenced by Mr. Colebrooke, and was enlarged by his son, Sir George, who employed Sir R. Taylor as architect. A south wing was added to the structure by Lord New, haven, who bestowed on the estate its present name. The apartments are usually of satisfactory proportions; and many are equally conspicuous for size, elegance, and for that air of close domestic comfort so desirable in the variable climate of this country.

The staircase was painted by Lanscroon, a pupil of Verrio in 1723, with the triumphal entry of Julius Cæsar into Rome, and the Apotheosis of that hero. The paintings are well preserved, and may be considered, with exceptions of those in the royal palaces, the best stair-way decorations at this time remaining in Middlesex. Several of the principal rooms are fitted up in a costly yet delicate taste. In the dining-room is a fine chimney piece of Sicilian jasper, executed in Italy, comprising a beautiful mask of Apollo, in statuary marble. The chimney-piece of the drawing-room is also of Sicilian jasper, and this apartment is adorned with pillars and pilasters, imitative of the same material.

It will be seen, from the following enumeration, that the pictures which adorn this tasteful mansion though not numerous are select and valuable: Two fine pieces by Teniers, the subjects peasants reaping, and a Dutch peasant, smoking. A miser, by Vandermyn; the expression, drawing, and colouring extremely good. Dutch vessels in a calm; a large and beautiful picture by Vandervelde. Two smaller sea views, by the same master. Landscape, with cattle, by Cuyp. Samuel going to anoint David, a small picture by Jacob de Bray, in the style of Rembrandt. A sketch by Esaias Vandervelde, dated 1629. A gamepiece by Collins, dated 1738. Two fine pictures, representing architectural ruins, in the style of Paolo Panini.

The