Often, when taking an airing in her garden-chair, drawn by a pony, would her Royal Highness stop to converse with Goody Bewley, who naturally retains a feeling remembrance of her condescending kindness. The Bible and Prayer-book both record, on their first leaf, the amiable giver, and date of the gift, December, 1816;' followed by a species of bequest of the precious volumes, to parties named, after the good woman's death: the hand-writing, however, is not the Princess's, as was reported, but that of Goody Bewley's nephew. After quitting the cottage, little farther remains to be inspected, except a well-managed artificial display of hanging rocks, contiguous to the lake; from whence the visitor pursues his walk through a succession of lawns and shrubberies, until he once more arrives in front of the mansion, of which the accompanying engraving is a correct view. Esher Place, the charming seat of John Spicer, Esq. is on the other side of the village. Thomson thus speaks of it in his Seasons: Where, in the sweetest solitude, embraced By the soft windings of the gentle Mole, From courts and senates PELHAM finds repose. This was Henry Pelham, Esq. brother to the Duke of Newcastle. The present house is new, having been rebuilt by Mr. Spicer, in a much better situation than that occupied by the old mansion, and where it commands a good view of the park and surrounding country. Its style of architecture is extremely pleasing; and the grounds are delightfully laid out. The former mansion became at one period the property of Cardinal Wolsey, on his appointment to the see of Winchester (to which it was then attached) in 1528; and hither he first retired after his disgrace, and continued for several weeks to reside in it, till he obtained permission to remove to Richmond. The original gate-house of Wolsey's house is yet standing. Engraved by T Barber from a Drawing by H. Gastineaufor the Exairstons through Surrey ESHER PLACE The Seat of Spicer Esq SURREY. 9 Pub May 1 1820 by Longman & C° Paternoster Row. |