The result of this suit is well known: ladder gates were ordered to be put up at some of the entrances, which was done. By a notice affixed to the public gates, "Passengers are required to take notice that the keepers in shooting deer can only take notice of the direction of the public footpaths;" an intimation looking very like a permission to shoot passengers who cannot read, or who may have the misfortune to lose their way.

The good taste, or judgment of a notice like this, affixed to a thoroughfare, of which the public right has been solemnly established in a court of justice, may be questioned; it has the aspect, at least, of an indirect attempt to narrow a right whose assertion caused so much trouble and annoyance. The sooner some less threatening notice be substituted, the better.

Richmond Great Park is eight miles in circumference, containing 2253 acres, magnificently timbered. The park is of a gently undulated character, adorned by pieces of ornamental water. The vast expanse of its plains, its venerable trees, and the solitude and seclusion, so near a great city, are its chief attractions.

On the west side of Richmond Green are the only remains of the old Palace of Sheen; consisting of an arched gateway, surmounted by an escutcheon nearly effaced, together with a wicket or lesser gate, both in a ruinous state.

Hard by this gate is the Theatre, a plain structure of brick.

The tourist will not fail, if time permit, to take a stroll along the Barge Walk, by the river side. This is a delightful promenade, the moving panorama of the Thames on the one hand, and the rich pastoral meads of Richmond Old Park on the other.

This park is of a rather flat surface and very limited extent, compared with the New Park. The grounds were laid out in the formal taste by Bridgebut were altered by Browne.

man,

The great Duke of Ormond had a lease of the lodge in this park, residing here until his impeachment, when he went to Paris.

The Observatory was built by Sir William Chambers in 1769.

From Richmond we take our way towards TWICKENHAM. A variety of routes offer themselves to the pedestrian. He may enjoy a delightful stroll in the Great Park, leaving at the Ham gate, crossing Ham Common, and making his way through shady lanes to the ferry, whose locality is indicated

on the

map; or he may descend the face of the hill by a pathway leading from that favourite place of entertainment called the Star and Garter, to the same ferry. But for the convenience of observing the several objects of greatest interest on the way, he had better cross with us Richmond Bridge, pausing to admire the delightful views of the three islands, and villas of Twickenham

Park below the bridge, and the hill, with its embowered villas, and Twickenham meads on the other side; then turning to the left, enter a little wicket by the river side, and pursue his pleasant way through the sweet-smelling, flowery meads on the banks of Thames.

The number of villas rising tier above tier, and standing, as it were on tiptoe, all eyes to catch the largest possible share of the charming landscape, will first attract his attention. These are so numerous, and the majority so frequently change hands, that the occupants this year are seldom inhabitants of the next.

The villa of His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, close by the river side, owes its chief beauty to its situation. The architectural merit of the villa is not remarkable.

Here the traveller will linger with pleasure, especially if the nightingale, in the fast-falling twilight, entertain him with her melodious strains. He will acknowledge the justice of the panegyric of an anonymous writer, who gives us, what he calls "Some account of a little kingdom on the banks of the Thames."

This kingdom is situated on the banks of the Thames, its soil gravelly, its air balmy, clear and healthful; the whole place is one continued garden. Plenty and pleasure are the ideas conveyed by its large fields of corn and its verdant meadows. 'Tis governed by a king (Mr. R. Owen Cambridge) whom

arts, not arms, recommend to the dignity, the government not being He is proclaimed by a Muse, and acknowledged by the

hereditary. people.

Their last monarch (Mr. Pope) was the terror of knaves and fools, and the darling of the learned and virtuous. He reigned long over them, beloved and well established, and was succeeded by their present sovereign (Mr. Horace Walpole).

The meadows are verdant, large, and beautifully situated. All along the river-side they are level and easy; but higher, the ground rises into little hillocks, and the lofty trees in many parts offering their shade, render it the most beautiful of places. Wherever the trees and bushes are a little open, it shows the loveliest meads in the world, full of flocks and oxen grazing; and beyond, the river, with Richmond on the opposite side.

The genius of the inhabitants inclines not towards commerce; architecture seems their chief delight, in which, if any one doubts their excelling, let him sail up the river, and view their lovely villas beautifying its banks. Lovers of true society, they despise ceremony, and no place can boast more examples of domestic happiness. Their partiality for their country rises to enthusiasm; and what is more remarkable, there is scarce any instance of a stranger residing for a few days among them, without being inspired by the same rapturous affection for this earthly elysium.

The prevailing character of the landscape is richness, verdure, and repose; the river glides in a measured fall, as if it moved to music:

See the fair swans on Thames's lovely side,

The which do trim their pennons silver bright,
In shining ranks they down the waters glide—
Oft have mine eyes devour'd the gallant sight.

Resuming our observations, and proceeding onwards, we observe first, a fine mansion, the seat of Mr. Bevan, a London banker; next, the beautifullysituated cottage of Archdeacon Cambridge, son to Richard Owen Cambridge, Esq., author of the "Scribleriad," and well known as the friend of the most eminent literary characters of his time.

To the right, or Middlesex side, we see first Little, then great Marblehill, the latter built by George II. for his mistress, the Countess of Suffolk, who was also mistress of the robes to his queen. The Earl of Pembroke was the architect, and the gardens were laid out by Pope. Mrs. Fitzherbert

Р

was for some time in occupation of Marble-hill. The present possessor is Colonel Peel.

Little Marble-hill, or Marble-hill Cottage, formerly called Spencer Grove, was fitted up by Lady Diana Beauclerc, who decorated several of the rooms with paintings by her own hands.

Nearly opposite to Marble-hill is PETERSHAM, a picturesque village, situate in the midst of beautiful scenery. Here stood a capital mansion, built by the Earl of Rochester, Lord High Treasurer to James II. This building being destroyed by fire, much property, including the MSS. of the great Lord Clarendon, was destroyed, and some lives lost. Petersham Lodge, as the house was called, was rebuilt by an Earl of Harrington, from a design by Lord Burlington, but is once again pulled down, and the grounds thrown into Richmond Park. The pleasure-grounds were spacious and beautiful, extending to Richmond Park, part whereof had been added to them by a grant from George III. including the Mount, where, according to tradition, Henry VIII. stood to see the signal for the execution of Queen Anne Boleyne.