The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827Various
General
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827
Various
Popular literature -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
A modern tourist, in "A Morning's Walk from London to Kew,"
characterizes the new palace as "the _Bastile palace_, from its
resemblance to that building, so obnoxious to freedom and freemen. On
a former occasion," says he, "I have viewed its interior, and I am at
a loss to conceive the motive for preferring an external form, which
rendered it impracticable to construct within it more than a series of
large closets, boudoirs, and rooms like oratories." The latter part of
this censure is judiciously correct; but the epithet "bastile" is
perhaps too harsh for some ears.
The _old palace_ at Kew formerly belonged to the Capel family, and
by marriage became the property of Samuel Molyneux, Esq., secretary
to George II. when prince of Wales. The late Frederic, prince of Wales,
took a long lease of the house, which he made his frequent residence;
and here, too, occasionally resided his favourite poet, James Thomson,
author of "The Seasons." It is now held by his majesty on the same
tenure. The house contains some good pictures, among which is a set of
Canaletti's works; the celebrated picture of the Florence gallery, by
Zoffany, (who resided in the neighbourhood,) was removed several years
since. The pleasure-grounds, which contain 120 acres, were laid out by
Sir William Chambers, one of the greatest masters of ornamental
English gardening. Altogether they form a most delightful suburban
retreat, and we hope to take an early opportunity of noticing them
more in detail.
The old mansion opposite the palace was taken on a long lease by
Queen Caroline of the descendants of Sir Richard Lovett, and has been
inhabited by different branches of the royal family: and here his
present majesty was educated, under the superintendance of the late
Dr. Markham, archbishop of York. This house was bought, in 1761, for
the late Queen Charlotte, who died here November 17, 1818.
Apart from these courtly attractions, Kew is one of the most
interesting of the villages near London. On Kew Green once stood a
house, the favourite retirement of Sir Peter Lely. In the church and
cemetery, too, are interred Meyer, the celebrated miniature-painter,
Gainsborough, and Zoffany. Their tombs are simple and unostentatious;
but other and more splendid memorials are left to record their genius.
The premature fate of Kew Palace renders
it at this moment an object of public
curiosity; while the annexed engraving
may serve to identify its site, when posterity
"Asks where the fabric stood."
* * * * *
THE NUPTIAL CHARM.
(For the Mirror.)
There is a charm in wedded bliss.
That leaves each rapture cold to this;
There is a soft endearing spell,
That language can but faintly tell.
'Tis not the figure, form, nor face,
'Tis not the manner, air, nor grace,
'Tis not the smile nor sparkling eye,
'Tis not the winning look nor sigh.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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