DURHAM. SUMMARY OF THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY OF DURHAM, As published by Authority of Parliament in 1811. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. SUMMARY OF THE POPULATION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE, As published by Authority of Parliament in 1811. HAMPSHIRE. WE are happy in being enabled to add to our description of this county, a notice of the following seats. HERON, OF HERN COURT, the seat of the Earl of Malmesbury (Lord Lieutenant of this county) is situated in the rich and fertile va!ley leading from Wimborne to Christ-church, about four miles distant to the north-west from the last-mentioned town. The mansion is placed in an elbow formed by the river Stour, and is supposed to derive its appellation from this circumstance of locality; Hern being Saxon for an angle, or corner. The present noble possessor inherited this place and property from his relation, Mr. Hooper; to whose family it had belonged for upwards of two centuries. The house, which is upon a large and substantial scale, has been nearly rebuilt by Lord Malmesbury; part of the north front (which has been raised one story) being all that remains of the former structure. A veneration for the original character of the mansion has, however, been evinced in this work of re-edification. The style of domestic architecture that prevailed during the reigns of Elizabeth and James the First, is still preserved in every principal feature:-a laudable example of respect for ancestry, and of correctness in taste, which it is hoped will find imitators in those who may alter and renovate ancient family buildings in adjacent districts. The library of this capacious residence contains a highly-va'uable collection of books and maps. That these are selected with an excellent judgment will scarcely be doubted, when the literary talents of the present Earl and his celebrated father (James Harris, Esq. who enriched the republic of letters with the work intituled HERMES) are held in due remembrance. In this seat are also preserved many fine paintings, the principal of which are enumerated in the BEAUTIES OF ENGLAND for BERKSHIRE, under the article of PARK PLACE.* 2Q4 * See Beauties for Berkshire, p. 184-187. a very |