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Simile of the paper signed on the occasion may be inspected in the British Museum. It is most assuredly a real curiosity.

On Runny Mead are annual horse-races, which are attended by their Majesties and the royal family.

RUSSEL FARM, the handsome seat of the Countess Keppel, in a beautiful situation near Watford.

RYE-HOUSE, an ancient house, in the parish of Stansted Abbot, in the road from Hoddesdon to Ware, was built by Andrew Ogard, in the reign of Henry VI., that monarch having granted him a licence to build a castle on his manor of Rye. It came afterward into the family of the late Paul Field, Esq. Part of the building (which now serves as a workhouse to the parish) has both battlements and loopholes, and was probably the gate of the castle, which Andrew Ogard had liberty to erect: and if so, it is among the earliest of those brick buildings, raised after the form of bricks was changed, from the ancient flat and broad, to the modern shape.

But what has rendered this place particularly interesting, is its being the spot said to have been intended for the assassination of Charles II. in 1683. The house was then tenanted by Rumbold, who had served in the army of Cromwell. See Hume, Vol. XIII. chap. 5. where an account is given of this singular business, forming a curious part of the English History.

S.

SALTHILL, in Bucks, 214 miles from London, on the

Bath road, is remarkable for its fine situation and ele gant inn. It is also famous as being the spot to which the scholars of Eton make their triennial procession; when a public collection is made from the company, for the bene fit of the Captain of the School, who is generally elected a member of King's College, Cambridge. This collection, in some years, amounts to near 1000l. Owing to the carelessness of a cook, some gentlemen were poisoned here several years ago. They had made an excursion hither to enjoy the pleasures of the country.

SANDERSTED, in Surry, near Croydon, has a delightful prospect on the N. to Croydon, and on the N. W to Harrow on the Hill, some parts of Bucks, Berks, Hampshire, and over all Bansted Downs. See Purley.

SANDRIDGE, a village in Hertfordshire, three miles N. by E. of St. Alban's. Here is the elegant seat of Charles Bouchier, Esq. who has lately made great improvements in the house and grounds.

SEVENOAKS, a market town in Kent, near the river Darent, 23 miles from London, in the road to Tunbridge, obtained its name from seven large oaks which grew near it, when it was first built. Here is an hospital and school, for the maintenance of aged people, and the instruction of youth, first erected by Sir William Sevenoaks, Lord Mayor of London, 1418, who is said to have been a foundling, educated at the expence of a person of this town, whence he took his name. Queen Elizabeth having augmented the revenue of this school, it was called Queen Elizabeth's Free-School. It was re-built in 1727. Near this town, in 1450, the royal army, commanded by Sir Humphrey Stafford, was defeated by the rebels headed by John Cade, of seditious memory. See Kippington and Knole.

SHEEN, EAST, a hamlet to Mortlake, on the Thames. Here are several villas; particularly that of Lord Palmerston, a descendant from Sir John Temple, brother of the celebrated Sir William Temple; the seat of Mrs. Bowles, built by the late Charles Bowles, Esq. after a design by Messrs. Carr and Morris; and the houses of Philip Francis, Esq. and Sir Brook Watson.

SHEEN, WEST, the name of a hamlet to Richmond, which once stood a quarter of a mile to the N. W. of the Old Palace of Richmond. Here Henry V. in 1414, founded a convent of Carthusians, within the walls of which Perkin Warbeck sought an asylum. An ancient gateway, the last remains of this priory, was taken down in 1770. The whole hamlet, consisting of 18 houses, was at the same time, annihilated, and the site, which was made into a lawn, added to the King's inclosures. Sir William Temple had a lease of the site, and premises of the priory; and West Sheen was his favourite residence till his removal to Moor Park, near Farnham. King William frequently visited him at this place. When his patron was lame with the gout, Swift usually attended his Majesty in his walk round the gardens, and here he became acquainted with the beautiful and accomplished Stella, who was born at this place, and whose father was Sir William's steward.

This business of Stella, however, does no great credit te Swift's memory.

SHENLEY, a village of Hertfordshire, two miles N. by W. of Chipping Barnet. Here is High Canons, a handsome seat, lately purchased by Thomas Fitzherbert, Esq. who has made many elegant improvements; particularly two fine pieces of water in the park, which, sloping from the house, terminates, at some distance, in a delightful wood.

SHEPPERTON, a village in Middlesex, on the Thames, 19 miles from London. It is much resorted to by the lovers of angling. Hence is a bridge to Walton.

SHOOTER'S HILL, eight miles from London, in the road to Dover, from the summit of which is a fine view of London, and into Essex, Surry, and even part of Sussex. The Thames also exhibits a magnificent appearance. There is a handsome inn and gardens for the entertainment of those who visit this delightful spot. On the top of this hill is a tower, seen at a great distance from almost every part of the adjacent country. It was built by Lady James, to commemorate the reduction of Severndroog, in 1756, a strong fort which belonged to Angria the pirate on an island near Bombay. This structure is called Severndroog Castle, was erected from the design of Mr. Jupp, and is of a triangular form, with turrets at each angle.

Mr. Bloomfield, in his recent little volume called Wild Flowers, has a charming piece entitled Shooter's Hill, from which we take the following stanza:

This far-seen monumental tower

Records the achievements of the brave,
And Angria's subjugated power,
Who plunder'd on the eastern wave;

I would not that such turrets rise

To point out where my bones are laid;
Save that some wandering bard might prize
The comforts of its broad cool shade!

The view of the country from the top of the tower is truly delightful, including the great metropolis, with its lofty and numerous spires, the shipping of the river Thames, and the long range of the Surry hills. The eye indeed may be said to be presented with a rich and overpowering variety.

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