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THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| VOL. XVII, NO. 491.] | SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1831. | [PRICE 2d. |
AMPTHILL HOUSE,THE SEAT OF LORD HOLLAND.
This is a delightful retreat for thestatesman and man of letters—distinctionswhich its illustrious occupant enjoyswith high honour to his countryand himself.
Ampthill is throughout a never-tiringregion of romantic beauties. Thesewere sung in some lines of greatsweetness and poetical feeling, a fewyears since by Mr. Luttrell, who appearsto have taken his muse by thearm, and "wandered up and down,"describing the natural glories and oldencelebrity of Ampthill. We rememberto have read his "Lines" with unmixedpleasure.
The Engraving is copied from one ofa Series of "Select Illustrations of Bedfordshire;"the letter-press accompanimentsbeing neatly written by the Rev.I. D. Parry, M. A. author of the "Historyof Woburn." Ampthill follows.
Ampthill House, now the seat of theRight Hon. Lord Holland, is a plainbut very neat edifice, built of good stone.It was erected by the first Lord Ashburnham,then the possessor of the estate,in 1694. It is situated rather belowthe summit of a hill, which rises atsome little distance behind, and muchless elevated than the site of the oldcastle, but has still a commanding situationin front, and is sufficiently elevatedto possess a great share of the fine viewover the vale of Bedford. It is also wellsheltered by trees, though the passingtraveller would have no idea of the magnificentlime alley, which is concealedbehind it. The house has a long front,abundantly furnished with windows, andhas two deep and projecting wings. Inthe centre is a plain angular pediment,bearing the late Lord Ossory's arms,and over the door is a small circular one,pierced for an antique bust, and supportedby two three-quarter Ionic pillars.In this house is a small collectionof paintings, &c., principally portraits.
At the foot of the staircase is a large painting, formerly in fresco at Houghton House, which was taken off the wall, and put on canvass by an ingenious process of the late Mr. Salmon. It represents a gamekeeper, or woodman, taking aim with a cross-bow, full front, with some curious perspective scenery, [pg 354]6 feet by 9-1/2 feet. We have heard a tradition, that it is some person of high rank in disguise; some say James I., who was once on a visit at Houghton. From the propensities of "gentle King Jamie," this is not unlikely.
The pleasure ground at the back ofthe house, commands a pleasing, extensiveview; beyond this is the limewalk, which is certainly one of the finestin England.—It is upwards of a quarterof a mile in length, the trees in someparts, finely arching; and may be pronounced,upon