originally designed by Kent; dedicated by George Marquess of Buckingham to Charlotte Sophia, Queen of England, Consort to King George III, on the recovery of the King from his illness, A. D. 1789. It has been altered by the addition of a Corinthian Portico standing on an elevated basement story, with a flight of steps in front, which lead to the interior apartment, decorated in 1790. The room is ornamented with Scaiola columns and pilasters, supporting a trunk ceiling, taken from the design of the temple of the Sun and Moon, at Rome: at the West end is a Medallion of Britannia dejected, and with her spear reversed; and on the tablet the following inscription: Desideriis icta fidelibus For Cæsar's life, with anxious hopes and fears, On the East end is a Medallion of Britannia with a Palm, and sacrificing to Esculapius; and on the tablet is the following inscription: O Sol pulcher ! o laudande, canam O happy day! with rapture Britons sing How blest the hour when Heav'n restor❜d their King! In the centre of this apartment is a sitting figure of Britannia supporting a Medallion of the Queen. -The figure is as large as life, and is placed on a fluted pedestal, on which is the following inscription: Charlotte Sophiæ Augustæ, Pietate erga Regem, erga Rempublicam In difficilimis temporibus spectatissimæ Georgius M. de Buckingham. MDCCLXXXIX. To the QUEEN, Conspicuous for her conduct in a moment of the greatest difficulty, For her duty to the King, And for her attachment to the interests of her Country, GEORGE M. of BUCKINGHAM dedicates this monument. On the walls of the centre compartment of this building are four Medallions, representing 1. Trophies of Religion, Justice, and Mercy. 2. Trophies of Agriculture and Manufacture. 3. Trophies of Navigation and Commerce. 4. Trophies of War. From this Portico the ground falls very rapidly, and on the crest of the opposite hill is THE GOTHIC TEMPLE, a large building of yellow stone, seventy feet high, built in the style of the Moorish Gothic, and adorned withinside by a collection of old painted glass, consisting of sacred subjects, and of great variety of armorial bearings; some of which are very finely executed. The disposition within is very beautiful: the principal room is circular, the arches and dome of which are ornamented with the descents and inter-marriages of the Grenville and Temple Families, in a regular series of armorial bearings from the Saxon Earls of Leicester, to the late Lord Viscount Cobham, and to his sister and heiress Hester, Countess Temple. On each side is a small circular chapel, with painted glass of armorial bearings of different families; and at the upper end a circular staircase leads to a gallery on the second story, where there are likewise two other chapels with the arms of the Saxon Heptarchy.-The tower affords a very extensive view round the country. In a circular recess, near this temple, embowered in ancient oaks, are placed Statues in stone, by Rysbrack, of the seven Saxon Deities, who gave names to the days of the week: their titles are engraved in that language. |