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STOKE - PLACE, THE SEAT OF COLONEL VYSE.

STOKE-PLACE is situated in the pa- || carefully formed into the shape of rish of Stoke, about four miles north- breakfast-tables, with a representawest of Windsor. It is an old-fashioned but comfortable house, covering a considerable space, and enlivened by some very fine trees of the acacia and cedar species, that grow most luxuriantly a few yards from the mansion. The cedars are remarkably fine; their dark tone admirably contrasts with the variety of woods that embellish the lawn.

Before Field-Marshal Sir George Howard, K. B. (grandfather to the present owner), became the possessor, the grounds were laid out in the old-fashioned villa taste, of which happily few specimens now exist in this country. Besides birds, quadrupeds, and bipeds, that seemed to exist in these grounds, of box and other shrubs, here were holly-hedges Vol. IV. No. XXI.

tion of a court breakfast of the age, all formed of the living box, to commemorate a royal breakfast that took place on the lawn. These absurdities disappeared before the genius of Brown, and if he had left no other work, this charming place would have sufficed to stamp his fame for landscape-gardening.

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The walks are natural, and extend considerable distance, at times striking into the woods, and at others continued by the water, of which there is a fine sheet, that adds considerably to the embellishment and beauty of the grounds. In a line with the edifice is a handsome greenhouse, near which a rustic bridge is thrown across the water, imbosomed in woods. This leads to a small but

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pleasing temple, from which the home scenes and the overhanging woods, with a delightful turn of the lake, form a sequestered and truly beautiful scene.

interior of which is a grotto of considerable magnitude, formed with a great variety of fine specimens of Bristol spar and other minerals. To this grotto is attached an inner chamber, which forms a bath: the whole is sequestered, and the water ap

Hence the principal walk continues by the water in its approach to the

The embellishments in the park and pleasure-grounds are numerous and in the best taste. The walk con-proaches its side in serpentine forms. tinues from the temple to a wood, in which stands an ice-house, surmounted by a Gothic tower, forming a pic-house, passing some flower-gardens, turesque object. The woods are so interwoven as to constitute groves that exclude the mid-day sun; affording in summer cool delicious walks, leading among a variety of woods to a considerable distance, embracing a picturesque rustic covered seat on a wooded eminence: a winding path leads round to the base, the

with their embellishments. Windsor Castle, Stoke church, and Gray's monument, are pleasing objects as seen from various parts of the grounds.

The mansion contains several good paintings, and among them is a fine portrait of Sir George Howard, by Sir Joshua Reynolds.

MRS. PALMER'S VILLA, RICHMOND. THIS classical little villa was built by Sir Robert Taylor for Sir Charles Asgill. The elevation is of the Tuscan order, and after a design by Palladio. For chaste and simple elegance it far surpasses all the other works of this architect, who was remarkable only in his cumbrous structures for giving space and grandeur to his apartments; and notwithstanding the comparative smallness of this villa, the apartments are large and hand

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Our View is from the river Thames, shewing the principal Front. It is built of Bath stone, and forms one of the chief embellishments of the neighbourhood of Richmond. The grounds are limited, and the whole is formed into what may be termed a lawn, which is terminated by a pretty Grecian green-house. The kitchen - garden, attached, contains an excellent hot-house and conservatory.

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SKETCHES OF CHARACTER, MANNERS, AND THE STATE OF SOCIETY IN THE COUNTRY TOWNS OF ITALY.

(Continued from p. 97.)

Ar length the fiera begins, and with it the incessant jubilation. The general rehearsal is over, and the reports made of it are extremely favourable. All the gentlemen are already prepossessed in behalf of the

enchanting Signora Lodola; all the ladies are equally fascinated by Signor Gallinaccio; and the music of the celebre maestro Zanzara is extolled as a sublime master-piece. They now repair full dressed to the

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