Mr. Monckton Milnes, now Lord Houghton, published in The Times some pathetic verses, after the funeral of Miss Berry, of which the two last stanzas are as follows:

Farewell, dear ladies! in your loss

We feel the past recede,

The gap our hands could almost cross
Is now a gulf indeed.

Ye, and the days in which your claims
And charms were early known,
Lose substance, and ye stand as names
That History makes its own.

Farewell! the pleasant social page
Is read, but ye remain.
Examples of ennobled age,

Long life without a stain :
A lesson to be scorned by none,
Least by the wise and brave,
Delightful as the winter sun.
That gilds this open grave.*

In Strawberry Vale, almost opposite to Little Strawberry Hill, on the edge of the river, is a row of newly-erected villas, the last of which is called "the Bachelors" (a land-mark very familiar to rowing-men), and this is also the last house in the Parish of Twickenham on the confines of Teddington.

* For further particulars concerning the Miss Berrys reference should be made to Miss Berry's Life and Correspondence, edited by Lady Theresa Lewis, published in 1866, from which work most of the above particulars have been obtained.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE HOUSES-Continued.

TWICKENHAM COMMON-THE CAMPS ON HOUNSLOW HEATHGIFFORD LODGE-MR. PRADO'S, NOW TAKEN DOWN-" THE LODGE"-ORCHARD LODGE-COLNE LODGE-COLNE HOUSEBURTON LODGE-MR. PRATT'S-THE POND-GOTHIC LODGE -JOHANNA SOUTHCOTE-" THE GRANGE"-FULWELL LODGe.

HAVING now attempted to trace the history of the houses situated on the river border of the parish from the point where it adjoins Isleworth on the north-east to that where it touches Teddington on the west-a reach of the Thames unsurpassed in beauty, save perhaps, by that which lies between Cookham and Maidenhead, running through Cliefden woods-it will be convenient to walk (in fancy) across the fields which the railroad now intersects, and which are fast becoming covered with newly-erected villas, from Strawberry Hill to that part of the parish which is still called Twickenham Common.

The road leading from the village proper to this new district, which rivals it in size and population, is called Heath Road, because in old time it led to Hounslow Heath, of which the common was a part, and which extended to within a quarter of a mile of the town. Almost in the place where the railway

bridge now crosses the road stood the gate at the entrance of the common (which, according to the Isleworth Survey of 1635, contained 175 acres), just within which to the right were the cage and stocks. All that now exists of the once extensive common is the small enclosed triangular space in front of Trinity Church, called "The Green;" and a trace of the former wild land may be seen between the roads leading to Hampton and Teddington, where several furze bushes still remain in a rough field.

It will not be forgotten that it was on Hounslow Heath that both Charles II. and James II. formed camps on more than one occasion. Evelyn, in his Diary for 29th of June, 1678, speaks of his return from Windsor through Hounslow Heath, where he "saw the new raised army encamped, designed against France in pretence at least, but which gave umbrage to Parliament. His Majesty and a world of company were in the field, the whole army in battalia, a very glorious sight." It was at this time and place, the same author asserts, that, "the new sort of soldiers called grenadiers" were brought into service, whom he quaintly describes as "dexterous in flinging hand grenados, every one having a pouchful; they had furred caps with coped crowns like Janizaries, which made them look very fierce, and some had long hoods hanging down behind as we picture fools; their clothing being likewise piebald, yellow, and red."

After the space of eight years, in his Diary for June 2nd, 1686, Evelyn mentions the camp at Hounslow again, when storms, rain and foul weather produced sickness and other inconveniences, which

66

compelled it to retire to quarters. He speaks of many jealousies and discourses as to the meaning of this encampment." His entry for June 6th, 1687, runs thus :-"Camp now again pitched at Hounslow, the commanders vying in the expense and magnificence of the tents." Of this more recent encampment Macaulay gives a graphic description. The King (James II.), he

says,

The

. . . collected there within a circumference of about two miles and a half, fourteen battalions of foot and thirty-two squadrons of horse, amounting to thirteen thousand fighting men. Twenty-six pieces of artillery and many wains laden with arms and ammunition were dragged from the tower through the city to Hounslow. Londoners saw this great force assembled in their neighbourhood with a terror which familiarity soon diminished. A visit to Hounslow, became their favourite amusement on holidays. The camp presented the appearance of a vast fair. Mingled with the musketeers and dragoons, a multitude of fine gentlemen and ladies from Soho Square, sharpers and painted women from Whitefriars, invalids in sedans, monks in hoods and gowns, lacqueys in rich liveries, pedlars, orange girls, mischievous apprentices and gaping clowns, was con. stantly passing and repassing through the long lanes of tents. From some pavilions were heard the noises of drunken revelry, from others the curses of gamblers. In truth the place was only a gay suburb of the capital.*

The camp existed only two years, being broken up in August, 1688. It was formed "to overawe the mutinous capital;" but ended by becoming "more mutinous than the capital itself, and being much more feared by the court than by the citizens." During these years many burials are described as from the camp. The bridge on the road leading out of the Hanworth Road to the new cemetery is to this day

* Macaulay's History of England, ii. 101, 102, etc.
† See p. 63.

called "Hospital Bridge," from the fact of its proximity to the camp hospital.

GIFFORD LODGE.-The first house of importance beyond the common gate was Gifford Lodge, the residence of Lord Kingston, and then of the Marchioness of Tweedale, the widow of John the fourth Marquis, née Lady Frances Carteret, daughter of the Earl of Granville. Her house was partially taken down, and out of its remnants, with considerable additions, a convenient new residence was constructed. The Marchioness subsequently lived on Ham Common, where she died in 1788. Her successor at Gifford Lodge was General Gunning, a brother of the "beautiful Miss Gunnings," who became subsequently Duchess of Hamilton, Duchess of Argyle, and Lady Coventry. The General's wife and daughter (who became Mrs. Plunket), both distinguished themselves by the publication of several novels.

Gifford Lodge was next owned by Mr. Lucas. I am informed on trustworthy authority that it was the private residence of Mrs. Fitzherbert and her children, Marble Hill being the house wherein guests were entertained. More recently it has been occupied by Mr. Richard Ancell, Mr. Samuel Redgrave, Mrs. Birch and her family, and at the present time Mr. Collinson lives in it.

Ironside thus describes the next house of consideration, the residence of Mr. Abraham Prado:

The gardens are large, and kept in remarkable good order and neatness, as were his grounds about it. This gentleman's knowledge