This present, so remarkably expressive of the Poet's deep sense of obligation, is contained in a small urn of variegated marble, and placed on an elegant marble pesdestal in one of the recesses of the mausoleum. The epitaph inscribed on the urn is as follows ¿ PAUL WHITEHEAD, ESQ. Of Twickenham, Obiit December 30, 1774. No gems nor orient spoil Lie here conceal'd, but, what's more rare, WYCOMBE PARK, the seat of Sir John Dashwood King, Bart. but at present the residence of the Marquis of Donegall, is de servedly celebrated for the exquisite beauty of its grounds, and the variety of fascinating scenery, which results from the harmonious intermixture and disposition of its wood and water. The gardens were originally laid out by Lord Le Despenser, whose fondness for the minute and trifling decorations of temples, vases, and statues, are more than compensated by the easy and natural boundaries of the spreading lake, whose waters were first congregated under his direction. This forms the principal feature of the landscape, and is adorned with several islands planted with forest trees, whose bold and towering branches flourish in luxuriant wildness. The character of the place is animated and beautiful; and the late removal of various insignificant and unmeaning buildings, has restored the appearance of the grounds to its genuine simplicity and nature. One of the buildings permitted to retain its situation is the music pavilion, which, from the ele gance of its design, must unquestionably be regarded as ornamen~~ tal. But the home views are not the only ones that embellish this domain, many exterior prospects contribute to increase the pleasure which arises from the contemplation of rural scenery. The town and church of High Wycombe, and the windings of the river through the vale in which they are seated, are seen from several points of view to great advantage. The cascade should · VOL I. Bb have various donations given to support the poor is about 2201. Of this sum, 301. per annum is appropriated to the master of a grammar school, who has likewise an additional 301. from the interest of money vested in the funds, and bequeathed for the purpose in 1790, by Mrs. Mary Bonder. This parish contains about 6000 acres, of which 650 are woodland, and 100 common. The rest is arable and pasture. Its houses, independent of those of the borough, are 268, and its inhabitants about 1400.* WYCOMBE ABBEY, formerly Loakes, the seat of Lord Carrington, is situated in a bottom, on the banks of the river near the town, but is so entirely secluded in the bosom of its thick groves, that every appearance of a neighbourhood is concealed. The manor-house was an irregular building, erected about the reign of James the First, but will shortly be completely repaired, and considerable additions made from designs by Mr. Wyatt. The whole is intended to be cased with a hard sand stone,t found in the neighbourhood. The front of the house is rendered pleasant by a spacious sheet of water, which winds through the grounds for nearly three quarters of a mile, and is terminated by a small artificial cascade, executed by the ingenious J. J. Lane, and claiming admiration from its variety of parts and picturesque effect. The park, containing about 200 acres, is diversified with bold hills, and eminences covered with wood. About one mile north of Wycombe is HITCHENDEN, the seat of the Countess Dowager Conyngham, a distant relation of the late John Norris, Esq. This is an In the court-rolls of Temple Wycombe is a presentment (3d of Henry the Seventh) against a baker, named Russel, for keeping a scolding harlot in his house; and another (26th of Elizabeth) against the mhabitants of Wycombe for not keeping bows and arrows. + These stones are dispersed over the grounds in single masses, similar to the grey wethers on Marlborough Downs, but have never before been applied to the purposes of building. "This man, though originally only a common mason, has displayed more taste and judgment in the construction of cascades, than perhaps any other person in England. The cascade at Bowood, Wilts, is a very fine specimen of his talents. an ancient irregular building, containing several excellent rooms, a few good family portraits, and a seemingly original one of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. In the burial-ground of the village are some very ancient free-stone monuments, which, according to the opinions of Mr. Gough, belonged to the Montfords of Wellesburne, who, after the battle of Evesham, retired hither, and lived in great privacy. In May, 1795, some coins of the Emperors Adrian, Trajan, and Aurelius, were found in an earthen vessel, about 18 inches under the soil, on Picket Common in this parish. WEST WYCOMBE WAS very early bestowed on the see of Winchester, and continued vested in that bishopric till the year 1550, when it was surrendered to Edward the Sixth, who gave it to Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset ; but it was restored to Winchester by Queen Mary; yet having again reverted to the Crown, was granted by Elizabeth to Sir Robert Dormer, Knight, whose family appears to have been tenants to the Bishops of the above see. Charles Dormer, Second Earl of Caernarvon, sold it to Thomas Lewis, Alderman of London, who in 1698 granted it to his brother-in-law, Sir Samuel Dashwood, and Francis Dashwood; but it soon afterwards became vested in the latter, from whom, through various intermarriages, it descended to Sir John Dashwood King, Bart. the present owner. This village is seated under a steep eminence, partly covered with wood, whence the mausoleum and small tower of its beautiful but singular church seem to emerge. The latter structure was rebuilt in the year 1763, by Lord le Despenser; but the tower and chancel are parts of the ancient pile. The interior is extremely neat, as well as peculiar. The pulpit and desk are mahogany arm chairs, with a reading desk before them. There are no pews, but forms fixed without any distinction. The ceiling and communion-table are elegantly painted in Mosaic.. The chancel is paved with marble, and embellished with a delineation of the Last Supper depicted on the ceiling. The altar is of carved oak. The windows are glazed with stained glass, and |