I was
courteously received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the
civility and communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of
the house. The greater part has undergone alterations, and been
adapted to modern tastes and modes of living: there is a fine old
oaken staircase; and the great hall, that noble feature in an
ancient manor-house, still retains much of the appearance it must have
had in the days of Shakspeare. The ceiling is arched and lofty; and at
one end is a gallery in which stands an organ. The weapons and
trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of a country
gentleman, have made way for family portraits. There is a wide
hospitable fireplace, calculated for an ample old-fashioned wood fire,
formerly the rallying-place of winter festivity. On the opposite
side of the hall is the huge Gothic bow window, with stone shafts,
which looks out upon the court-yard. Here are emblazoned in stained
glass the armorial bearings of the Lucy family for many generations,
some being dated in 1558. I was delighted to observe in the
quarterings the three white luces, by which the character of Sir
Thomas was first identified with that of Justice Shallow.
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