MONKEY ISLAND.

THE Thames abounds with small islands, which, from their situation and circumstances, might seem to invite the pleasurable cultivation of those who possess them; and yet, how few have been employed to any purpose of amusement, either in the way of aquatic recreation, or that kind of sporting which rivers afford.

It must be acknowledged that our climate is by no means suited to insulated situations: and the moats which surrounded the mansions of our ancestors, were rather intended for protection and security, than for pleasure or beauty. How few days are there in one of our years, and allowing even the most sultry summer, in which such a residence as an island in the Thames could afford, would be comfortable throughout them. For even supposing all has been done that embankment can do, still the flood may.come, and in a rainy season, how often must the inhabitant have recourse to an upper room and a consoling fire.

We do not recollect a single house so situated, but that of Sir William Younge, beneath the hanging woods of Cliefden, near Cookham, where a great deal of taste has been employed to render it beautiful, and all possible means, we doubt not, are used to make it comfortable but we have never considered this place, with all the charms it possesses, but with symptoms of shuddering at the idea of that damp and chillness, which all the warmth of hospitality will not, at times, be able to disperse.

The island belonging to Mr. Freeman, of Fawley, and whose decorative building is so pleasing an object in that part of the river, and particularly when viewed from HenleyBridge, is only used on such days as invite to the amusements of the water, and the patient pursuits of the angler: and such was the original design of improving Monkey Island.

It is a small spot, situated below Maidenhead-Bridge, and

near the village of Bray. The last Duke of Marlborough originally improved, planted, and erected two pretty pavilions upon it. His Grace then frequently resided at Langley-Park, in that part of the country; and used occasionally to enjoy such recreations as this place afforded. One of the rooms being painted in the Arabesque style, in which monkies were the predominant figures; the island, from that circumstance, received the name by which it is distinguished. When the present Duke disposed of Langley, this pleasant little spot, which was a kind of appendage to it, was also sold. It has had several successive possessors, but who they were it is of little consequence to know. At present it belongs to Mr. Townley Ward, of the Willows, near Clewer, in the vicinity of Windsor.