Here are also some excellent statues, particularly an Apollo Belvidere; a group of Cupid and Psyche; and two figures of Venus, in different positions. From the east end of this building the piazza continues nearly a quarter of a mile in length to the DAIRY. This singular and beautiful structure is built in the Chinese style, and ornamented with painted glass. Its situation is well calculated for its purpose: cool, shady, and pleasant; and the utensils with which it is furnished, are all of the most elegant workmanship and convenient forms. The country round Woburn presents a wide, open, and rather flat surface: the soil is mostly sand, and generally destitute of trees; yet the Duke's park abounds with wood, and affords many delightful prospects of forest scenery. The ground is diversified with bold swells and a pleasing inequality of surface. The park is well stocked with deer; and is surrounded with a brick wall eight feet in height, and about twelve miles in circumference. It has been considerably enlarged of late years, and lies in different parishes. The circumstance by which this extensive domain is more peculiarly characterized, is the commodious farms situated in and near it. One of these, which is distinguished by the name of the PARK FARM, merits the attention of every man who feels interested in the advancement and perfection of the important science of agriculture. Every ingenious contrivance to shorten. labour, or invention to facilitate useful operations, are here concentrated. The farm-yard is replete with conveniences. It contains barns, stables, fatting-houses, &c. and a very complete mill, furnished with a curious machine, which threshes and dresses at the same time; a maltern; two pair of stones, for grinding wheat and barley; and every requisite for dressing flour, making oatmeal, &c. In another part is a small water-wheel, which gives motion to some very ingenious machinery for bruising malt, and cutting fødder to chaff. The water is supplied by pipes, which convey it from ponds situated on the adjoining eminences, This farm originated with the present Duke of Bedford, through whose patronage and praise-worthy exertions, many improvements have been made in the different branches of husbandry. What is generally done by a united society, is here effected by an individual: his Grace rewards invention, fosters ingenuity, and gives a fair practical trial to every new theory in this invaluable art. The truly patriotic endeavours of the Duke are nobly seconded by Lord Ossory, Mr. Whitbread, and many other private gentlemen. By their united influence, and spirited example, a most laudable emulation has been excited among the farmers in this part of the country, the good effects of which are already become distinct and visible. The qualities of kine, horses, sheep, hogs, &c. have been greatly improved by the introduction of the breed of other counties; and the melioration of the land has kept pace with the improvement of the cattle: both are progressively advanc ing to perfection. The Duke has instituted an annual sheep-shearing, at which be tween three and four hundred persons are generally assembled to partake of the festive cheer which then prevails at Woburn. The meeting is held about the middle of June, and continues for three or four days. During this time experiments are made with new invented agricultural implements, and the inventors of those which are judged to be of most utility, are rewarded. Considerable premiums are also given to such persons, who, in the course of the preceding year, have expended the greatest sums in introducing the breed of other counties, or who produce the best specimens of sheep; &c. bred in Bedfordshire: smaller sums are distributed for the furtherance of other beneficial practices.* The The premiums for the present year are to be distributed as follows. Fifty guineas to the person in Bedfordshire, who between June and Christmas, 1800, has expended the greatest sum of money (not less than sixty guineas) in the purchase of breeding-ewes, or theaves, of the new Leicester or South Down breed: Twenty guineas to the person who shall have expended the next largest sum on the same object. A cup, value Ten guineas, to the person who shall breed, and produce at Woburn sheep-shearing, the best two shear fat wethers: Five guineas to The RUSSEL family may date the era of their greatness to a violent storm, which happened about the year 1500, on the coast of Dorset; a county which appears to have been the birth-place of their ancestors, one of whom was constable of Corfe Castle in the year 1221. PHILIP, Archduke of Austria, son of the Emperor Maximilian, being on a voyage to Spain, was obliged, by the fury of a sudden tempest, to take refuge in the harbour of Weymouth. He was received on shore, and accommodated by Sir Thomas Trenchard, who invited his relation, Mr. JoHN RUSSEL, to wait upon the Archduke. Philip was so much pleased with the polite manners and cultivated talents of Mr. Russel, who was conversant with both the French and German languages, that, on arriving at court, he recommended him to the notice of Henry the Seventh, who immediately sent for him to his palace, where he remained in great favor till the King's death. In the estimation of Henry the Eighth he rose still higher: by that Monarch he was made Lord Warden of the Stannaries, Lord Admiral of England and Ireland, Knight of the Garter, and Lord Privy Seal; and on the 9th of March, 1538, created Baron Russel of Cheneys in the county of Bucks, which estate he afterwards acquired by marriage. At the coronation of Edward the Sixth, he officiated as Lord High Steward; and two years afterwards, in the year 1549, was created Earl of Bedford. He died in 1554, and was buried at Cheneys, where many of his descendants have also been interred. He was succeeded by his son Francis. On his death, in the year 1585, the estates and titles devolved to his grandson Edward, whose father had been slain by the Scotch in the Marches but two days before. Edward died in the year 1627, and was succeeded by his cousin Francis, whose great plan of draining the level of the fens added vast sums to his annual income. He died in 1641, and was succeeded to the person who shall produce the two best fat shear wethers bred in Bedfordshire. A cup, value Ten guineas, to the breeder of the best theave; and Five guineas to the breeder of the second best: both to be the produce of the county. And Twenty guineas to the person who shall invent the most useful agricultural imple ment. ceeded by his eldest son, William, whose impartiality, as we have already stated, (page 44,) induced him to coincide occasionally with the measures of both parties during the dreadful contest between Charles the First and his Parliament. He was at one time, General of the Horse, in the army of the latter. Though he had no less than seven sons, he appears to have outlived them all; for, on his death, in 1700, his honors and estates devolved on his grandson, Wriothesley; who, dying of the small-pox in 1711, was succeeded by Wriothesley his son, who was then only about six years of age: he dying in 1732, was succeeded by his brother, John, who was employed in the management of many important affairs, particularly in the year 1763, when he negociated the peace of Versailles. Francis, the fifth and present duke, succeeded his grand-father in 1771; the immediate successor, the accomplished Marquis of Tavistock, being killed by falling from his horse in 1767. AMPTHILL, THOUGH on a sandy soil, is pleasantly situated near the centre of the county, between two hills. This small town has been much improved of late years, particularly by the erection of an handsome market-house. The principal streets are neat and regular, crossing each other at right angles. Near the middle of the town is an obelisk of Portland stone, in which is a pump, built, for the use of the inhabitants, by the Earl of Upper Ossory. There are many good houses here, and also an extensive brewery. In the church is a mural monument to the memory of Richard Nicholls, who was governor of Long Island after the expulsion of the Dutch. He was gentleman of the bed-chamber to the Duke of York, and was killed while attending his Royal Highness in the famous engagement between the fleets of England and Holland, May 28, 1672. What is remarkable in this monument, is the preservation of the very ball with which the governor was slain. This is a five or six pounder: it is inlaid in marble, and and placed within the pediment; on the moulding of which, on each side of the bullet, are these words: "Instrumentum Mortis et Immortalitis." The Instrument of Death and Immortality. The charitable institutions of this parish are, an alms-house,. founded and endowed by Mr. Cross, some time principal of New Inn Hall, Oxford; and a school for 13 children. The almshouse is for 10 poor men and women; who, besides their place of residence, have an annual allowance. West of the town is AMPTHILL PARK, the seat of the Earl of Upper Ossory. In the old castle, which stood on much higher ground than the present mansion, and then belonged to Henry the Eighth, Queen Catherine resided during the time her unjust divorce was in agitation before the commissioners at Dunstable. She had been cited to appear in court, to defend her cause; but, on refusing to do so, the sentence of separation was pronounced. In reference to this circumstance, a neat octagonal cross, designed by Mr. Essex, with a shield bearing her arms, has been erected on the site of the castle by the Earl of Ossory. The following lines, written by Horace Walpole, are inscribed on the base: In days of old, here Ampthill's towers were seen, "The castle and town of Ampthill, and divers fair lordships. thereabout," says Leland, " belonged to Lord Fanhope, a man of great fame, and very rich, who built this stately castle as it now standeth, with the spoils he won in the wars in France." This was in the reign of Henry the Sixth. Sir |