the extent of twenty miles in every direction, the scene is composed of greater features. Considerable towns, palaces, and parks; lands occupied by agriculture; and even heaths and commons, (many of them very extensive, and adding grandeur to the scene, whatever be the character of the policy that endures them); with a noble river flowing through the heart of the whole; constitute an assemblage indescribably beautiful. THE ENVIRONS OF LONDON, ACCOUNT of the VILLAGES, TOWNS, PALACES, and SEATS, near LONDON, which are the most de. serving of NOTICE. (See the Map inserted in this Work.) [STRANGERS who visit this metropolis, and confine their observations solely to its streets, squares, and places of amusement, have but a partial conception of the wealth, taste, and manners, of its inhabitants, unless they make a few excursions to the favourite villages in its neighbourhood, and view the elegant cottages, villas, mansions, and palaces, with which they abound. The following pages do not notice all the opulent villages, and but a small proportion of the elegant villas deserving of notice; they suf fice, however, to direct the stranger to the great leading objects, and such as at any time he might regret not having seen. An excursion to the places noticed, will generally include other houses and objects worthy of some observation, but too numerous or inconsiderable to be noticed in a volume of the present size.] HAMPSTEAD. THIS village, from its beautiful situation, and the fine views which it commands of the metropolis, and of the neighbouring country, is one of the most agreeable within the same easy distance of four miles. The va riety of its local situations, recommends it to the inhabitants of London, as a place of retreat during the summer months, and of retirement at the close of life; and it consequently abounds in delightful villas and elegant mansions. A great number of houses, an parts of houses, are also let furnished, as temporary lodgings, at prices which vary from twenty guineas, to three or four guineas per month. For the accommodation of the numerous strangers who visit it, dinners, tea, &c. are provided at the Long Rooms; the Spaniards, near Caen Wood; the Jack Straw's Castle; the Bull, at North End; the Flask; the Red Lion; the George, &c. From the fields behind Lord Rosslyn's, may be distinctly seen, Windsor-castle, Leith-hill, Box-hill, and the rich and matchless variety of intervening objects, over a distance of twenty miles. From a bench on the road to West End, may be seen the whole amphitheatre of the Surry and Kentish Hills, including the metropolis; from the north west the prospect includes Harrow-on-the-hill, and extends into Buckingham, Bedford, and Northampton shires; and from the east it ranges over the counties of Essex and Kent, almost to the mouth of the Thames up and down, which the ships, with a telescope, may be continually seen in motion. Caen Wood, the favourite retreat of the Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, and the present residence of the Earl of Mansfield, is situated about two hundred yards east of the Spaniards, and if admission can be obtained, will repay the trouble of visiting it. The house was finished in the best style, by Mr. Adams, and Mr. Saunders, and is decorated with pictures by Zucchi, Rebecca, Martin, and others. The pleasure-grounds include every advantage that can be derived from a good situation, aided by art. The beautiful simplicity of the lodge, at the Kentish Town entrance, is much admired. The series of large ponds, situated below the seat of the Earl of Mansfield, and which supply Kentish Town with water, are deserving of attention. The best walk to Hampstead, from the west end of London, is over Primrose-hill, a spot which bounds the rustic excursions of many hundreds of the inhabitants of the metropolis. N. B. For particulars relative to the departure of the coaches to Hampstead and all other villages, see the list of coaches in a subsequent part of this work. HIGHGATE. This is a kind of sister hill to Hampstead, and about the same distance from Londer. It does not possess the same variety of situations and prospects as Hampstead, nor is it so large a village; but its prospects to the south and south-east, are superior to those in the same directions from Hampstead, and deserve the notice of strangers. One of the principal north roads passes through it, and the number of conveyances always in motion to and fro, give it a lively appearance, and occasion it to be full of good houses of entertainment. The neighbourhood of the metropolis does not afford a pleasanter walk or ride, than from this place to Hornsey. There is a good carriage and fool way from Hampstead, which pass by Caen Wood, the seat of Lord Mansfield. The direct road to Highgate from London, is through Islington, a village which exceeds in size and population, many considerable towns. KEW. This small village is rendered remarkable by its royal palace, and its famous gardens. It is situated opposite Brentford, on the south bank of the Thames, six miles from Hyde-park Corner, and about four miles beyond Kensington, whose palace is described at page 64. Kew-house, the occasional residence of his present Majesty, was first rendered a royal residence by his father, the Prince of Wales. It is small, and calculated merely for occasional retirement. It contains some good pictures, among which are the celebrated Florence Gallery, by Zolfani, a set of Canaletti's Views in Venice, and two general views of London. There is, however, now building, a new palace, in the gothic style, and on a large plan, but so heavy as to possess rather the appearance of a prison, than a place of residence for the royal family. The gardens, which are laid out with great taste, and decorated with a variety of temples, and picturesque objects, by Sir William Chambers, are rendered famous by the colection of exotics, begun in the year 1760, and at this time exhibiting the finest collection of plants in the world. To enlarge this exotic garden, has been a favourite object of the present king, and he has been assisted by Sir Joseph Banks, and other zealous botanists. So extensive have been these additions of late years, that a new house of 110 feet in length, has been built for the reception of African plants only. Catalogues have been published successively by Dr. Hill and Mr. Aiton, the gardener. The Green-house, built in 1761, extends 145 feet in front, is 30 feet wide, and 25 feet high. The Temple of the Sun, is of the Corinthian order, the saloon is richly finished and gilt; in the centre of its cove is represented the sun, and in twelve compartments are drawn the twelve signs of the zodiac, in basrelief. The Aviary contains a large collection of birds of all countries. In the Flower-garden are to be seen all kinds of beautiful flowers, and in its centre a bason of water, well stocked with gold fish. The Menagerie contains Chinese and Tartarian pheasants, and various large and exotic birds, with a bason stocked with water fowl, in the centre of which is a pavillion in the Chinese manner. The Temple of Beliona is of the prostyle kind; the portico tetrastyle Doric; the metopes alternately enriched with helmets and daggers, and with vases and paterass. The cell is rectangular. The Temple of Pan is of the Doric order, imitated from the theatre of Marcellus, at Rome. The metopes are enriched with oxes' sculis and pateras. |