brated tragedian; Robert Lewes, Esq. a Cambro-Briton, and barrister at law, who died in 1649; "so great a lover of peace," says his epitaph, "that when a contention began between life and death, he immediately gave up the ghost, to end the dispute." Admiral Holbourn; Thom

son, the poet, &c. In the churchyard, the rev. Dr. Henry Stebbing; the rev. James Collinson, M. A. fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge; Mr. James Fearon, of the theatre royal, Covent Garden, &c.

ALMSHOUSES. In the Vineyard are queen Elizabeth's almshouses, first erected under the Hill, 1600, at the sole expence of Sir George Wright, knt. for the accommodation of eight poor women; they were rebuilt on this site on a more extensive plan, and the endowments augmented by voluntary contributions of many gentlemen of this parish, in 1767. Also ten almshouses for the support of ten old men, built in 1695, and endowed by Humphrey Mitchell, of Richmond, gent. who died November 16, 1696, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. They are allowed four shillings a week, and half a chaldron of coals yearly. On Richmond Hill are ten almshouses, endowed by Dr. Brian Duppa, bishop of Winchester, for ten women; they are allowed ten shillings per month, and twenty shillings per year for coals. This pious prelate lived at Richmond, in a very retired manner, during the exile of Charles II. whom he had educated here. After he was consecrated bishop of Winchester, he still occasionally resided at Richmond, and, on his death-bed, in 1662, the king visited him, and begged his blessing. At Marsh Gate, nine almshouses were erected and endowed by Mr. and Mrs. Houblon, in 1758, for maiden women; they are allowed about four shillings and ninepence per week, and firing; also a new gown yearly.

The charity school is in George Street, where thirty-four boys and thirty-four girls are educated; they are instructed in the principles of the Christian religion, and the boys are taught to read, write, and cast accompts; and the girls to read, write, knit, mark, &c.

5.

KEW,

KEW, originally called KAYHOUGH, was formerly a hamlet of Kingston, but united to Petersham, as one vicarage, by act of parliament in 1769. It is seated on the Thames, seven miles from London. The Church, formerly the chapel, was erected at the expence of the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood, on a piece of ground given by queen Anne. Against the south wall is a tablet to the memory of Jeremiah Meyer, a celebrated miniature painter, with some elegant verses by Hayley.

In the cemetery adjoining is interred the celebrated artist, Thomas Gainsborough, Esq. A flat stone just records his name and the day of his exit from this mortal scene. Another memorial is for Mr. Kirby, architect, the celebrated writer on Perspective.

On Kew Green, on the site of Mrs. Theobald's beautiful gardens, once stood a house, the favourite retirement of Sir Peter Lely, in the latter part of his life.

Here is a stone bridge, of seven arches, over the Thames, from a design of Mr. Painc. It was opened in 1789, and is the private property. of Robert Tunstal, Esq. whose father erected it. The width is too contracted for its length and height; it has neither a pavement for foot passengers, nor recesses for shelter in case of danger; it is however a pleasing object, and heightens the beauty of the adjacent

scenery.

Among the former respectable residents at Kew, were Charles Somerset, earl of Worcester; Edward, earl of Devon; Sir John Puckering, lord keeper of the great seal, in the reign of queen Elizabeth.

The royal Palace of Kew, formerly belonged to the family of Capel, whence it came by marriage to Samuel Molineux, Esq. secretary to George II. when prince of Wales. The late Frederic prince of Wales took a long lease of the house; and it is now held by his majesty on the same tenure. The house was improved by Kent, and contains some pictures; among which are a portrait of lord Burleigh, and the celebrated picture of the Florence Gallery, by Zoffani. In the long room, above stairs, is a set VOL. V. No. 117.

3 C

of

of Canaletti's works. The gardens, which contain one hundred and twenty acres, were begun by the late prince of Wales, and finished by the princess dowager; and of these we shall give a partial description, from the works of the late Sir William Chambers.

"The gardens of Kew are not very large; nor is their situation advantageous, as it is low, and commands no prospects. Originally the ground was one continued dead flat; the soil was in general barren, and without either wood or water, With so many disadvantages, it was not easy to produce any thing even tolerable in gardening; but princely munificence overcame all difficulties. What was once a desart is now an Eden.

"On entering the garden from the palace, and turning toward the left hand, the first building which appears is

"THE ORANGERY OR GREENHOUSE; it was built in 1761. The front extends one hundred and forty-five feet; the room is one hundred and forty-two feet long, thirty feet wide, and twenty-five high.

Its

"THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN, situated in an open grove, near the orangery, in the way to the physic gardens. figure is of the circular peripteros kind, but without an attic; and there is a particularity in the entablature, the hint taken from one of the temples of Balbec. The order is Corinthian, the columns fluted, and the entablature fully enriched. This building was erected in 1761.

"THE PHYSIC OR EXOTIC GARDEN. THE FLOWER GARDEN. The two sides are inclosed with high trees, and the end facing the principal entrance is occupied by an aviary of a vast depth, in which is kept a numerous collec-' tion of birds, both foreign and domestic.

"THE MENAGERIE is of an oval figure; the centre occupied by a large bason of water, surrounded by a walk; and the whole inclosed by a range of pens, or large cages, in which are kept great numbers of Chinese and Tartarian pheasants, &c. The bason is stocked with such water-fowl as are too tender to live on the lake.

"THE