an ancient irregular building, containing several excellent rooms, a few good family portraits, and a seemingly original one of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. In the burial-ground of the village are some very ancient free-stone monuments, which, according to the opinions of Mr. Gough, belonged to the Montfords of Wellesburne, who, after the battle of Evesham, retired hither, and lived in great privacy. In May, 1795, some coins of the Emperors Adrian, Trajan, and Aurelius, were found in an earthen vessel, about 18 inches under the soil, on Picket Common in this parish.

WEST WYCOMBE

WAS very early bestowed on the see of Winchester, and continued vested in that bishopric till the year 1550, when it was surrendered to Edward the Sixth, who gave it to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset; but it was restored to Winchester by Queen Mary; yet having again reverted to the Crown, was granted by Elizabeth to Sir Robert Dormer, Knight, whose family appears to have been tenants to the Bishops of the above see. Charles Dormer, Second Earl of Caernarvon, sold it to Thomas Lewis, Alderman of London, who in 1698 granted it to his brother-in-law, Sir Samuel Dashwood, and Francis Dashwood; but it soon afterwards became vested in the latter, from whom, through various intermarriages, it descended to Sir John. Dashwood King, Bart. the present owner.

This village is seated under a steep eminence, partly covered with wood, whence the mausoleum and small tower of its beauti ful but singular church seem to emerge. The latter structure was rebuilt in the year 1763, by Lord Le Despenser; but the tower and chancel are parts of the ancient pile. The interior is extremely neat, as well as peculiar. The pulpit and desk are mahogany arm chairs, with a reading desk before them. There are no pews, but forms fixed without any distinction. The ceiling and communion-table are elegantly painted in Mosaic. The chancel is paved with marble, and embellished with a delineation of the Last Supper depicted on the ceiling. The altar is of carved oak. The windows are glazed with stained glass,

and

and small Scripture pieces, which breaking the glare of light, cast a solemn yet pleasing gloom through the whole inside, and, when aided by the sounds of the fine organ erected over the west door, have a very impressive effect.

The Mausoleum is an extensive fabric, built at the east end of the church by Lord Le Despenser, whose motive for designing this very singular structure originated in a legacy bequeathed by Lord George Doddington, to defray the charge of erecting a monument to his memory. This structure is composed with flint, of an hexagonal form, and without any roof, having a frieze and cornice supported by Tuscan pillars, with recesses for monuments, and smaller niches for the reception of urns and busts. On the cornice is this sentence: To GEORGE DODDINGTON, BARON OF MELCOMBE REGIS.

In the centre of this mausoleum is a beautiful altar monument of marble, under a canopy, supported by four stone pillars. On one side the words Mors solamen miseris are inscribed; and on the other, "May this cenotaph, sacred to the virtues and graces that constitute female excellence, perpetuate the memory of SARAH, BARONESS LE DESPENSER; who finished a most exemplary life, January the 19th, 1769."

An elegant monument of statuary marble in one of the recesses, records the memory of the husband of the above lady, Lord Le Despenser, who was chancellor of the exchequer in the year 1762. He died, in the year 1781, "Revered, regretted, and beloved by all who knew him." But the most remarkable circumstance connected with this unique fabric, is the singular legacy given by Paul Whitehead, the celebrated Poet, to Lord Le Despenser, and de posited by him on this spot with the most uncommon solemnity.* We mean the heart of the Bard, bequeathed as a testimonial of affectionate gratitude to his Lordship, who had patronised, and been the means of procuring him an income of 8001. a year.

This

* A particular account of this ceremonial may be found in the Annual Regis ter for 1775. The whole of the Buckinghamshire militia attended, and the urn, inclosing the heart, was conveyed to the mausoleum in solemn procession. Minute guns were fired, and an incantation, set to music by Dr. Arnold, sung by vocal performers engaged for the purpose.

This present, so remarkably expressive of the Poet's deep sense of obligation, is contained in a small urn of variegated marble, and placed on an elegant marble pesdestal in one of the recesses of the mausoleum. The epitaph inscribed on the urn is as follows:

PAUL WHITEHEAD, ESQ.
Of Twickenham,

Obiit December 30, 1774.

Unhallowed hands, this URN forbear:
No gems nor orient spoil

Lie here conceal'd, but, what's more rare,
A HEART that knows no guile.

WYCOMBE PARK, the seat of Sir John Dashwood King, Bart. but at present the residence of the Marquis of Donegall, is deservedly celebrated for the exquisite beauty of its grounds, and the variety of fascinating scenery, which results from the harmonious intermixture and disposition of its wood and water. The gardens were originally laid out by Lord Le Despenser, whose fondness for the minute and trifling decorations of temples, vases, and statues, are more than compensated by the easy and natural boundaries of the spreading lake, whose waters were first congregated under his direction. This forms the principal feature of the landscape, and is adorned with several islands planted with forest trees, whose bold and towering branches flourish in luxuriant wildness. The character of the place is animated and beautiful; and the late removal of various insignificant and unmeaning buildings, has restored the appearance of the grounds to its genuine simplicity and nature. One of the buildings permitted to retain its situation is the music pavilion, which, from the elegance of its design, must unquestionably be regarded as ornamental. But the home views are not the only ones that embellish this domain, many exterior prospects contribute to increase the pleasure which arises from the contemplation of rural scenery. The town and church of High Wycombe, and the windings of the river through the vale in which they are seated, are seen from several points of view to great advantage. The cascade should Bb have

VOL I.