THE GROTTO HOUSE,

NEAR BASILDEN PARK.

THIS house stands on an highly enriched bank on the Thames, on the Berkshire side of it, near Pangbourn, and at the foot of the declivities of Basilden park, from which it is separated by the road leading from Reading to Wallingford. It is a small spot, but very tastefully disposed, and luxuriantly planted: it is very ornamental to the river, and adds very much to the general richness of the landscape which surrounds it.

This pleasing retreat derives its name from a grotto which was the offspring of the late Lady Fane's taste and elegant industry, when this spot was the place of her residence. Though it remains a proof of her skill, and the great expense which must have accompanied the progress of her favourite occupation, as many specimens of the finest shells were employed in its construction, it is no longer seen in that state of perfection, when it was the boast of Basilden, and the wonder of that part of Berkshire. It will, however, live in recording praise of the muse, whose celebration of it is to be found among the poetry, so judiciously preserved in Mr. Dodsley's collection of fugitive verse.

The imitations of natural caverns find a place among the ornamental and characteristic objects of modern gardens. There are very fine examples of them at Stourhead, Pains Hill, and Park Place, where they give a very impressive variety to the scenery of those distinguished places. Many others also might be named, whose effect is equally pleasing; but the shell-room, whether above or below the earth, has long been disowned by an improved and purer taste, which, disdaining works merely artificial, professes alone to copy or improve nature. The only grottos which we recollect to be

preserved, are those of this place, at Oatlands, the seat of his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and in the gardens of Wanstead House, in Essex.

The Grotto House is the property of the Sykes family, the owners of Basilden House. It was lately inhabited by Mr. Lamotte, and is now the residence of Mr. Ogilvie.

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 Canterbury, and Robert, Bishop of Sarum. It afterwards 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.

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 the 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