Here shall he see
No enemy,
But winter and rough weather.
I had now come in sight of the house. It is a large building of
brick, with stone quoins, and is in the Gothic style of Queen
Elizabeth's day, having been built in the first year of her reign. The
exterior remains very nearly in its original state, and may be
considered a fair specimen of the residence of a wealthy country
gentleman of those days. A great gateway opens from the park into a
kind of courtyard in front of the house, ornamented with a
grassplot, shrubs, and flower-beds. The gateway is in imitation of the
ancient barbican; being a kind of outpost, and flanked by towers;
though evidently for mere ornament, instead of defence. The front of
the house is completely in the old style; with stone-shafted
casements, a great bow window of heavy stone-work, and a portal with
armorial bearings over it, carved in stone. At each corner of the
building is an octagon tower, surmounted by a gilt ball and
weathercock.
The Avon, which winds through the park, makes a bend just at the
foot of a gently-sloping bank, which sweeps down from the rear of
the house. Large herds of deer were feeding or reposing upon its
borders; and swans were sailing majestically upon its bosom.
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