front of this temple is obtained an extensive view of the surrounding country, including Kew Gardens and the Surrey Hills in the distance. This spot is the most elevated part of the grounds, as well as the most beautiful; and is further ornamented with a circular piece of water, consisting of about two acres. This part of the gardens shows evident marks of the hands of Kent." And he goes on to speak of the magnificent cedars. At the back of the temple in the Italian gardens, at this time, were eight figures in sandstone of Burn's "Jolly Beggars", admirably executed by Thoms, and in excellent preservation, although laid out on the grass exposed to all weather. These figures, life-size, were brought to London from Scotland for exhibition, but the speculation did not succeed, and they were put up for sale and bought by Sir Nathaniel de Rothschild for two hundred pounds. The "Jolly Beggars", though in existence still, are no longer in a good condition, and were some time past removed to other quarters. Gunnersbury House came into the possession of the late Baron de Rothschild, by purchase, about the middle of the present century, and subsequently it continued to be the home of his widow and their children. It is now the property of Leopold de Rothschild, Esq., who nobly sustains the reputation of his house for large-hearted charities and numberless benefactions, both public and private. Mention has been made of the partition of the Gunnersbury estate at the time of the sale in 1800, and of the purchase of a part-seventy-six acres-by Mr. Copeland. The remainder of the land was bought by Stephen Cosser, Esq. At this gentleman's death this portion, which was now separate property, was again sold, its next owner being Major Morrison, a distinguished officer in the East India Company's service. Major Morrison retired in 1809, and 1 Faulkner's History of Ealing, p. 257. came to live at Ealing after building a house on this newly separated part of the old Gunnersbury Manor. He lived here until his death in 1827.1 His widow afterwards married the Earl of Carnwath, and thereupon disposed of her Gunnersbury property to Thomas Farmer, Esq., who made it his residence for many years. The division continues no longer, the land and house having been bought by Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, who now owns the whole of Gunnersbury Park, one of the most delightful country seats near London. The lake in front of the house has been altered into a serpentine form, and is known as the HorseShoe Pond. The gardens are singularly beautiful, but undoubtedly the fine trees are one of the chief charms. The hothouses, vineries, etc., are admirably arranged, and Mr. Walford, in his description of Gunnersbury, specially notices "two gigantic trees of the fern kind, which," he says, were brought from Tasmania by Sir Charles du Cane, and sent hither as a present.' The orangery is another notable feature. "The fine pictures in the mansion," observes the same writer, "are for the most part family portraits, or those of friends. In the billiard-room, however, is a painting of more than ordinary historic interest. It represents the introduction of the late Baron Lionel de Rothschild into the House of Commons on his first being allowed to take his seat for London in 1858. He is walking up the centre of the House, between his two sponsors, Lord William Russell and the witty Bernal Osborne; and among the occupants of the front benches on either side are Lord Palmerston, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Gladstone, Sir G. Cornewall Lewis, Lord Stanley, and other celebrities of the time." The collection of statues, china, and other beautiful and costly works of art, are far-famed. The late Lord Beaconsfield was a frequent visitor at Gunnersbury. 112 1 See Epitaph in Parish Church. 2 See Greater London, p. 20. 3 Ibid., p. 21. CHAPTER XI. Time-Honoured Parochial Institutions. Master Frowyk's Gift.-An Old Agreement about Letting the Church House. Its Memorial Stone.-Origin of the Workhouse.-Almshouses.--Parochial Perambulation. The NTIL the middle of the present century Ealing continued the charming green retreat of Mrs. Delaney's' acquaintance; with its one church, its charity schools, workhouse, almshouses, and ancient Cross House, or Church House, as it is called in the earlier notices. Cross House stood at the corner of St. Mary's Churchyard, where is now a fine drinking fountain. Various local associations suggest themselves in connection with the name. Mr. Walford suggests that four cross roads meeting close by may have led to it; or, more likely still, a village cross standing where the road widens out into a broad open space, a little to the north, may have furnished the name. Another probable explanation is that which connects it with the church. Much as the Dutch, who call Rogation week Cruss-week, i.e., Cross week, because of the cross carried in procession, so this ancient church tenement became known by the name of the symbol of Christianity. In the Inventory and Survey of Edward VI, 1522, the building 1 Autobiography and Letters of Mrs. Delaney. |