From the temple, the arbustum winds towards the front of the dwelling house, and leads to the cold bath, formed in a natural excavation of the ground; and flowing incessantly, is conveyed into a bason; near which the arbustum passes, through the serpentine, into Shakspeare's walk, where a statue of the poet is placed, under a thatched shed, supported by the trunks of eight oak trees, with the branches cropped, and bearing evergreen climbing shrubs. Facing this statue is a reservoir of water, well stored with fish, and its banks are embellished with shrubbery, which is continued along the walk, till the cottage opens to view, supported by the trunks of eighteen trees, entwined with climbing evergreens to their summits, and there meeting in festoons. Within this range of oak columns, is the sitting room, which in consequence of its less dimensions, admits of a walk between it and the oak trunks, and exhibits the form of a colonnade. Fronting these are the figures of two dragons, the supporters of the city arms, which were removed hither when the Guildhall of London was new fronted in the year 1790. Facing the cottage is a statue of Venus rifing from the water, by Locatelli, and over the door a representation in alto-relievo of the history of Acis and Galatea in statuary marble. The fountain which fronts the cottage is supplied by pipes under ground, from an ample spring issuing from the summit, and collecting in a sheet of water, or canal, and rising through the centre of an elegant composition in Portland stone, forms the jet d'eau, or fountain, already noticed, which afterwards falling into this reservoir, preserves it in continual agitation. From this scenery, a walk leads to the canal or sheet of water just mentioned, which is surrounded with cedars, pines, laurels, and other evergreens. The spring, supplying this canal, through a vase on which reclines a naiad in ornamental stone, gives the name of Camberwell to the village so called. The The DWELLING HOUSE, is a plain structure, consisting of six rooms on the ground floor, and of four on each above; the front contains threc emblematical figures, in alto-relievo, cast in artificial stone, representing Liberality on the east end of the house, and Plenty on the west; the centre exhibits Flora, holding in each hand a festoon of flowers, the right resting on a pedestal. The windows on the second story are faced with an open screen of iron balustrades; the top of the front and each wing are capped with balustrades of artificial stone, and the extremities of the wings ornamented with sphinxes. The entrance of the dwelling house, on the extremity of the wing facing the east, opens into the hall, which is thirty feet in length, by twenty-six feet in breadth; it is ornamented with Chinese figures, and tables in Chiola. There is also an original painting of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, which, since the conflagration of Coudry House, is supposed to be the only one of that interesting event. The LIBRARY and MUSEUM occupy the western wing. The former is thirty-nine feet in length, and twenty in breadth, divided into sixteen compartments, with a bust over cach, of some distinguished personage, characteristic of the particular science. At each end of the library is a chimney-piece, finished in artificial stone: that at the east end has the entablature sup. ported by the figures of FAITH and HOPE, in alto-relievo; the tablet, Charity; the friezes, wheat-ears in flutes; the block, doves, (Holy Spirit) on a Glory. The entablature at the west end is supported by FLORA and POMONA; the tablet, a Grecian wedding; the friezes, wheat-ears in flutes; blocks, bow and quiver on a myrtle wreath. The library contains about six thousand volumes of books: cabinets of shells, insects, and various subjects of natural history; the specimens of woods and of ambers are extensive and valuable, as well as the collection of engravings, catalogues of which are preserved for inspection; the hortus siccus, or collection of dried plants, occupy sixty sixty volumes. The orrery constructed by Ferguson, is in this apartment, with other philosophical instruments. On the south front of the dwelling-house, are represen tations of the Seasons in alto relievo. SPRING-a naked boy sitting, holding in the left hand a basket of flowers, on one side the zodiac sign, Aries. SUMMER-a boy kneeling, holding a drop of fruit; the zodiac sign, Libra. AUTUMN-a boy lying among wheat, with a sickle in one hand; zodiac sign, Cancer. WINTER -a boy putting on skates; the zodiac sign, Capricorn. On the other wing, forming the outside southern wall of the hall, are the following tablets also in alto-relievo. ARTS-Music, painting, and architecture. COMMERCENeptune and Triton, joining plenty and wealth; ships on the back ground. PEACE and PLENTY-Olive branch and cornucopia. WOOLLEN MANUFACTURE-Loom and sheep. SOVEREIGNTY OF THE LAWS-Uniting liberty and military power. TRUTH-unveiling herself, and Prudence holding a mirror. In the centre of these is placed, a large tablet, representing the great pyramid of Egypt, which appears at a distance, and forms the back ground, skirted by a palm. The principal figure is the Isis of Sais, and on each side is a sphinx, emblematic of mystery; under the Isis is a serpent, representing eternity, in a circular form, including the fol lowing inscription: ΕΓΩ ΕΙΜΙ ΠΑΝ ΤΟ ΓΕΓΟΝΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΝ ΕΜΟΝ ΠΕΠΛΟΝ ΟΥΔΕΙΣ ΠΩ ΘΝΗΤΩΝ ["I am whatever is, or has been, or will be; and no mortal has hitherto drawn aside my veil."] The library opens by a glass door into the garden through the green-house; and by another door into the museum or repository for natural history and other curiosities. marble chimney-piece in this room is carved in shells, equal The to to fine natural specimens, with a centre tablet representing a water nymph; and on each side is a cabinet of medals. and coins. A splendid collection of ores and minerals occupies two sides of this museum, catalogues of which are kept for inspection. The specimens of Cornu Ammonis are likewise very considerable, as well as those of fossils in an adjoining room or smaller museum. The chaste and elegant poet, the late John Scott, Esq. upon viewing the scenery from Grove Hill, which a clear day exhibited, produced the following descriptive eulogy ; which evinces at the same time the sensibility of his own heart: Where Grove Hill shows thy villa fair, Where, while we gaz'd, new beauties still were found. Fled various from the varying gale, Full on the view fresh objects broke To busy Deptford's vessel-crowded shore. Or sought that southern landscape's bound. Those swelling mounts-one smooth and green, And one with oaken coverts crown'd, And one where scattering trees are seen. Twas "Twas these with summer's radiance bright, To give the sleepless eye repose, The nerveless arm its strength again Beyond what social hours impart, Or nature's beauteous scenes, or curious works of art.” For this full account of so enchanting a spot no apology will be thought necessary; we shall only add, that the rev. Mr. Maurice, the celebrated author of Indian Antiquities, wrote a poem entitled Grove Hill, where the scenery above described is delineated with equal elegance and simplicity. The following lines, therefore, from this charming piece will constitute an appropriate conclusion: "Such are the soft enchanting scenes display'd, The descent from Dr. Lettsom's house leads to DULWICH. The first mention of this place occurs in the year 1127, when it was given by Henry I. to Bermondsey Abbey, and continued 2 |