BASILDEN PARK AND COMBE LODGE.

THE view of these two places is taken from Pangbourn, a very large and populous village, in Berkshire, with a wooden bridge, crossing over to Whitchurch, a smaller place on the Oxfordshire side of the river.

The former has somewhat of antiquity connected with it, being mentioned in the Domesday book, as then held by Miles Crispin of William the Conqueror. Its manor and church were afterwards granted to the Abbey of Reading, as appears from the confirmation of the charter of Henry the Second, its founder, by Hubert, Archbishop of CanIt afterwards terbury, and Robert, Bishop of Sarum. formed a part of the great possessions of Edward, Duke of Somerset, who was executed in the last year of Edward the Sixth; and after various successive grants, &c. this manor and estate were finally conveyed, in the year 1671, to John Breadon, Esq. whose descendant is the present possessor of them.

the

This view comprehends the upper part of Basilden Park, a place which may boast a very large portion of decorated, sylvan beauty, both from nature and disposition. The park was improved by Mr. Browne, and is one among many proofs which he has left of excellence in his art. The house was erected by the late Sir Francis Sykes, after a design of that eminent architect, Mr. Carr, of York. It is a large regular edifice of Portland stone, with correspondent wings, and a central loggio in the principal front. The prospect from it is very rich, but, strange as it may appear, not a glimpse is caught, from the principal floor, of the river which flows beneath it. The attic story alone catches a sight of the Thames.

The other part of this view embraces Combe Lodge, the seat of Samuel Gardner, Esq. in the parish of Whitchurch. It is an handsome villa, constructed within a few years,

and

BASILDEN PARK AND COMBE LODGE.

is situated in the centre of an acclivity, which gives it a very commanding view of the Thames. The Grotto House presents a very pleasing object on the opposite bank of the river, behind which, Basilden and its woods, with the Streatley Hills, rise in great beauty. The village of Whitchurch, to which it belongs, has no other distinction than that of having been the residence of the celebrated grammarian and mathematician, Doctor Wallis, one of the professors of Gresham College, and to whose work, on the English language, all subsequent writers on that interesting and important subject, either have, or ought to have, acknowledged their obligations.