DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6911#0167
DOMESTIC, OR CIVIL ARCHITECTURE.
Ill
were performed in this mansion.* In the year 1716, Addison became possessed of
it by marriage, and died here in June, 1719- In a long gallery, which occupies
the whole length of the west wing, (about 118 feet) are several portraits of the
Lenox, Digby, and Fox families. Among these is a picture of a family group by
Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing Henry, Lord Holland, Charles James Fox, when
a boy, Lady Susan Strangeways, and Lady Mary Lenox.f
EongforD Castle,
NEAR SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE,
Is the seat and property of the Farl of Radnor. This, perhaps, may be considered
as one of the most singular and whimsical buildings of a capricious age. With
some variations in elevation, and arrangement of rooms, almost all the mansions
erected during the reign of Elizabeth, were of a square form, and surrounded a
court: but the architect of Longford-CastleJ was emulous of novelty, and seemed
resolved to make his building new in plan, if not in its subordinate parts. He
therefore designed a triangular form, [see the plate of ground-plan] with a
large circular tower at each extreme angle, and a small stair-case tower, at each
of the three inner corners. In the centre was an open court, and at the north-
western, or entrance front, was a recessed vestibule or piazza, and a large hall.
This facade was profusely adorned with caryatides, rustic pilasters, with balus-
trades, &c. and had a gallery or portico in the first story. The whole of it was
faced with fine stone, but the towers, garden front, and interior walls, were built
with squared stones and flints, uniformly and substantially united, and disposed with
great precision. The exterior summits of the towers were surmounted with a small
spiral shaft, and tubular column, alternately ; the latter serving for chimney-flues,
and the former meant to imitate spurs. The building was formerly surrounded
by a moat, having the river Avon, which is here a rapid stream, on the eastern side.
* See Dodsley's Old Plays, vol. xii. p. 345, &c.
f In Lysons' Environs of London, vol. iii. are some additional particulars respecting Holland-House ; also two
views of the building. Injustice to this useful work, and to myself, I deem it necessary to remark, that the pre-
ceding account is chiefly derived from it. because I solicited in vain to be favoured with a view of the house.
J This house is alluded to, under the name of ' Amphiolus's Castle,' in Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia.
Ill
were performed in this mansion.* In the year 1716, Addison became possessed of
it by marriage, and died here in June, 1719- In a long gallery, which occupies
the whole length of the west wing, (about 118 feet) are several portraits of the
Lenox, Digby, and Fox families. Among these is a picture of a family group by
Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing Henry, Lord Holland, Charles James Fox, when
a boy, Lady Susan Strangeways, and Lady Mary Lenox.f
EongforD Castle,
NEAR SALISBURY, WILTSHIRE,
Is the seat and property of the Farl of Radnor. This, perhaps, may be considered
as one of the most singular and whimsical buildings of a capricious age. With
some variations in elevation, and arrangement of rooms, almost all the mansions
erected during the reign of Elizabeth, were of a square form, and surrounded a
court: but the architect of Longford-CastleJ was emulous of novelty, and seemed
resolved to make his building new in plan, if not in its subordinate parts. He
therefore designed a triangular form, [see the plate of ground-plan] with a
large circular tower at each extreme angle, and a small stair-case tower, at each
of the three inner corners. In the centre was an open court, and at the north-
western, or entrance front, was a recessed vestibule or piazza, and a large hall.
This facade was profusely adorned with caryatides, rustic pilasters, with balus-
trades, &c. and had a gallery or portico in the first story. The whole of it was
faced with fine stone, but the towers, garden front, and interior walls, were built
with squared stones and flints, uniformly and substantially united, and disposed with
great precision. The exterior summits of the towers were surmounted with a small
spiral shaft, and tubular column, alternately ; the latter serving for chimney-flues,
and the former meant to imitate spurs. The building was formerly surrounded
by a moat, having the river Avon, which is here a rapid stream, on the eastern side.
* See Dodsley's Old Plays, vol. xii. p. 345, &c.
f In Lysons' Environs of London, vol. iii. are some additional particulars respecting Holland-House ; also two
views of the building. Injustice to this useful work, and to myself, I deem it necessary to remark, that the pre-
ceding account is chiefly derived from it. because I solicited in vain to be favoured with a view of the house.
J This house is alluded to, under the name of ' Amphiolus's Castle,' in Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia.