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RICHARD GRENVILLE, FIRST EARL TEMPLE.

ON GARDENING.

BY

Y commerce, Albion, and by arms refin'd,
Sought for the charms of Art and Nature join'd;
Along the banks of her own Thames she stray'd,
Where the gay sisters of the waters play'd;
In many a soft meander wildly rov'd,

And grac❜d the meadows which their stream improv'd.
She mark'd romantic Windsor's warlike pride,
To Learning's peaceful seat so near ally'd ;
Where TEMPLE's bosom early sigh'd for praise,
Struck with the inspiring fame of ancient days;
She came where Silver Thames and Isis bright,
Their friendly treasures in one stream unite:
Where princes, prelates, fir'd with patriot views,
By gen'rous gifts invited every muse;

Where every muse her grateful tribute brought,
And Virtue practis'd what sound Learning taught:
At length her longing eyes and hallow'd feet
Reach'd verdant STOWE'S magnificent retreat,
Where fame and truth had promis'd, she should find,
Scenes to improve and please her curious mind:
Each step invention, elegance display'd,

Such, as when Churchill woos the Aonian maid,

And joins in easy graceful negligence,

Th' harmonious powers of verse, with sterling sense:
Such, as when Poussin's or Albano's hand,

On glowing canvass the rich landscape plann'd,

And classic genius strove by mimic art,

Thro' the admiring eye to reach the heart.

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Amidst the wonders of each striking scene,
High on the summit of a sloping green,
A solemn Temple, in proportion true,
Magnificently simple, courts the view;

CONCORD and VICTORY with pride proclaim
This mansion sacred to Britannia's fame,

*

Whose form majestic from all hands receives
The various product ev'ry region gives;

Pleas'd at her feet their choicest gifts to lay,
And homage to her power superior pay;
The sculptur'd walls her glories past declare,
In proud memorials † of successful war ;
No factious sacrifice to France and Spain
These consecrated trophies can profane;
For Public Liberty ‡ her awful seat

Here fixing, here protects her last retreat;
Where to the great and good in every shade,
The fragrant tribute of just praise is paid;
Where the prime beauties, form'd by Nature's hand
Throughout her works in every distant land,
Transplanted, flourish in their native ease,
And, as by magic charm collected, please.
Here the fair queen of this heroic isle,
Imperial Albion, with a gracious smile,
Confess'd, she lovely nature saw, at last,
Unite with art, and both improve by taste.

The Alto Rilievo in the Pediment.

+ The Medallions of the Victories.

The Statue of Public Liberty placed in the middle niche of the Temple.

Temple of Concord and Victory

Temple of Friendship,

Urn, to the Memory of Earl Chatham

Urn, dedicated to George Marquess of Buckingham

HOUSE.

Anti-Room, an

Anti-Library, the ·

Billiard Room, the

Breakfast and small Dining Parlour

Chapel, the

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