Whether “stately” in their proportions or in their style of architecture, in their internal decorations or their outward surroundings, in the halo of historical associations which encircle them, or in the families which have made their greatness, and whose high and noble characters have given them an enduring interest, these “Homes” are indeed a fitting and pleasant subject for pen and pencil. The task of their illustration has been a peculiarly grateful one to us, and we have accomplished it with loving hands, and with a sincere desire to make our work acceptable to a large number of readers. In the first instance, our notices of these “Stately Homes” appeared in the pages of the _Art-Journal_, for which, indeed, they were specially prepared, with the ultimate intention, now carried out, of issuing them in a collected form. They have, however, now been rearranged, and have received considerable, and in many instances very important, additions. The present volume may be looked upon as the first of a short series of volumes devoted to this pleasant and fascinating subject; others of a similar character, embracing many equally beautiful, equally interesting, and equally “stately” Homes will follow. LLEWELLYNN JEWITT. WINSTER HALL, DERBYSHIRE. CONTENTS OF FIRST SERIES. PAGE I.—ALTON TOWERS, STAFFORDSHIRE 1 II.—COBHAM HALL, KENT 37 III.—MOUNT EDGCUMBE, DEVONSHIRE 54 IV.—COTHELE, CORNWALL 70 V.—ALNWICK CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND 78 VI.—HARDWICK HALL, DERBYSHIRE 116 VII.—ARUNDEL CASTLE, SUSSEX 153 VIII.—PENSHURST, KENT 172 IX.—WARWICK CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE 192 X.—HADDON HALL, DERBYSHIRE 221 XI.—HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTFORDSHIRE 294 XII.—CASSIOBURY, HERTFORDSHIRE 308 XIII.—CHATSWORTH, DERBYSHIRE 322 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. FIRST SERIES. Page I.—ALTON TOWERS. Lion Fountain 1 Ruins of Alton Castle 2 Alton Towers, from the Terrace 4 ” from the Lake 6 The Octagon 8 The Conservatories and Alcove 11 The Temple 19 The Conservatories 22 The Pagoda 24 Choragic Temple 27 View from the Lower Terrace 29 The Gothic Temple 31 Part of the Grounds 33 Hospital of St. John 34 II.—COBHAM HALL. Initial Letter 37 Cobham Hall 38 The Three Sisters 43