Among the illustrations are several showing the panelling which once adorned, and in some cases still helps to furnish, the mansions erected in other days. Some of the woodwork was kept in its natural state, and some was gilt or otherwise embellished; but the craftsmanship was always of supreme interest. The panelling surrounding the drawing-room at Boughton Malherbe, Kent (page 7), was of various woods and was coloured. The marquetry work in the dining-room at Gilling Castle, Yorkshire (page 13), was very elaborate and beautiful in its own way, like the other decorations in this apartment, which measured 39 by 22 feet. Exceptionally fine work was also placed in the drawing-room at Stockton House, Wiltshire (Plate XXXV). The decorations of a room at Great Yarmouth provided Shaw with inspiration (page 19), and so did those at Blickling Hall, Norfolk (page 29). The latter name is associated with the Boleyn family, and with the early days of the unfortunate Queen. The residence of the Boleyns, however, must have been earlier than the present one. The property was purchased in Queen Elizabeth’s day by Sir Henry Hobart, whose descendant, the Marquis of Lothian, is now the owner. The existing Blickling Hall was built in Jacobean times, and it will be seen that the date on the chimney-piece is 1627. Nothing less than a monograph on every one of the Old English Mansions would suffice to do justice to their historic and artistic glories. A great deal can be left unsaid, however, without minimising our appreciation, and such implied praise may be taken for granted in the present case. Imperfect though some of these old buildings may have been in several ways, they are among the classics in architecture and their appeal is continual. Generous in scale, well-built, decorated with high-spirited talent, and occupied from time to time by people who, if they do not always command our admiration, at least compel our interest, these houses have become a part of the national life. If in some cases they have suffered demolition or sacrilege, the fact should inspire us to spare no efforts to keep the remaining examples intact and to leave them as a heritage. They please because of their distant past, perhaps, but they also attract for what they possess in value at the present time. They are too precious to be sacrificed. [Illustration: T. ALLOM PLATE I. HADDON HALL. DERBYSHIRE] [Illustration: J. C. Bayliss PLATE II. BENTHALL HALL, SHROPSHIRE] [Illustration: EWAN CHRISTIAN PLATE III. INCH HALL, LANCASHIRE] [Illustration: J. DAFFORNE PLATE IV. SAWSTON HALL, CAMBRIDGESHIRE] [Illustration: J. S. DODD PLATE V. THE HALL I’ THE WOOD, LANCASHIRE] [Illustration: J. S. DODD PLATE VI. SMITHELLS HALL, LANCASHIRE] [Illustration: J. S. DODD PLATE VII. TURTON TOWER. LANCASHIRE] [Illustration: A. E. EVERITT PLATE VIII. THE OAK HOUSE, WEST BROMWICH, STAFFORDSHIRE] [Illustration: A. E. EVERITT PLATE IX. ASTON HALL, WARWICKSHIRE] [Illustration: F. W. FAIRHOLT