Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Thomas William Coke,* Earl Of Leicester,
The following description of Holkham , the princely seat of our noble and distinguished Brother may not prove unacceptable to our readers : — This magnificent seat was began in 1734 , by the Earl of Leicester , uncle to its present possessor , and was completed by his Dowager Countess in 1760 . The central part of this spacious mansion , built of white brick , is accompanied by four wings or pavilions , which are connected with it bfour rectilinear corridors or gallerieseach of the two fronts
y ; , therefore , displays a centre and two wings . The south front , 34 . 4 feet in length , presents an air of lightness and elegance , arising from the justness of its proportions . In the centre is a hold portico , with its entablature supported by six Corinthian columns . The north front , which is also 344 feet in length , is the grand entrance , and exhibits different and more magnificent features ; the central part contains the principal apartmentsand measures 114 feet b 62 each
, y ; wing has its respective destination : one contains the kitchens , servants ' - ball , and sleeping-rooms ; in the chapel wing is the dairy , laundry , and more sleeping-rooms ; another wing contains a suite of family apartments ; and the fourth , called the strangers' wing , is appropriated to visitors .
This giand residence is rendered superior to most residences in the kingdom by its convenience ; it is said to have been borrowed from a plan of Palladio ' s , for a villa designed for the Cavalier Leonardo Mesenigo upon the Brenta , with some trifling variations . The entrance-hall , which measures 4 , 6 feet by 70 , and is 43 feet in height , has a gallery round it , supported by twenty-four fluted Ionic columns of the most costly marble . Next is the saloon , on each side of which is
a drawing-room , and connected with them the state dressingroom and bed-chamber . All these apartments are furnished in the most costly style : velvet hangings , tapestry , and superb cabinets meet the eye at every turn ; while on the walls glow some of the finest productions of the ancient masters . A third drawing-room communicates from the above with the statue gallery , which connects a number of apartments in the most admirable mannerfor one octagon into
, opens the private wing , and the other into the strangers ' , on one side , and into the dining-room on the other ; this dining-room is on one side of the hall , and on the other the countess ' s bed-room , dressing-room , and closets , which are fitted up with the most luxurious elegance ; from a recess in the dining-room opens a door on the private staircase , which leads immediately to the kitchens and offices ; and by the centre of the wings , by the saloon-doors , are invisible staircases , which lead to every
domestic department . Thus here are four general suites of apartments , all perfectly distinct from each other , with no reciprocal thoroughfares—the state , the countess ' s , the late earl ' s , and the strangers '; these severally open into what may be called the common rooms—the great hall , the statue gallery , the saloon , all of which again communicate with the dining-room . There may in some few palaces be found more magnificence and grander proportionsbut human genius could not contrive anything in which
conve-, nience could be more apparent than in this . The fitting-up in the interior is in the most splendid style , combined with finished taste . The ceilings of many of the rooms are curiously gilt , and adorned with fret and Mosaic work ; the Venetian windows are ornamented with beautiful pillars , and are profusely gilt ; the chimneypieces are of the most costly marble ; but these , from their exquisite sculpture , are peculiarly deserving of attention . Two are in the dining-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Late Thomas William Coke,* Earl Of Leicester,
The following description of Holkham , the princely seat of our noble and distinguished Brother may not prove unacceptable to our readers : — This magnificent seat was began in 1734 , by the Earl of Leicester , uncle to its present possessor , and was completed by his Dowager Countess in 1760 . The central part of this spacious mansion , built of white brick , is accompanied by four wings or pavilions , which are connected with it bfour rectilinear corridors or gallerieseach of the two fronts
y ; , therefore , displays a centre and two wings . The south front , 34 . 4 feet in length , presents an air of lightness and elegance , arising from the justness of its proportions . In the centre is a hold portico , with its entablature supported by six Corinthian columns . The north front , which is also 344 feet in length , is the grand entrance , and exhibits different and more magnificent features ; the central part contains the principal apartmentsand measures 114 feet b 62 each
, y ; wing has its respective destination : one contains the kitchens , servants ' - ball , and sleeping-rooms ; in the chapel wing is the dairy , laundry , and more sleeping-rooms ; another wing contains a suite of family apartments ; and the fourth , called the strangers' wing , is appropriated to visitors .
This giand residence is rendered superior to most residences in the kingdom by its convenience ; it is said to have been borrowed from a plan of Palladio ' s , for a villa designed for the Cavalier Leonardo Mesenigo upon the Brenta , with some trifling variations . The entrance-hall , which measures 4 , 6 feet by 70 , and is 43 feet in height , has a gallery round it , supported by twenty-four fluted Ionic columns of the most costly marble . Next is the saloon , on each side of which is
a drawing-room , and connected with them the state dressingroom and bed-chamber . All these apartments are furnished in the most costly style : velvet hangings , tapestry , and superb cabinets meet the eye at every turn ; while on the walls glow some of the finest productions of the ancient masters . A third drawing-room communicates from the above with the statue gallery , which connects a number of apartments in the most admirable mannerfor one octagon into
, opens the private wing , and the other into the strangers ' , on one side , and into the dining-room on the other ; this dining-room is on one side of the hall , and on the other the countess ' s bed-room , dressing-room , and closets , which are fitted up with the most luxurious elegance ; from a recess in the dining-room opens a door on the private staircase , which leads immediately to the kitchens and offices ; and by the centre of the wings , by the saloon-doors , are invisible staircases , which lead to every
domestic department . Thus here are four general suites of apartments , all perfectly distinct from each other , with no reciprocal thoroughfares—the state , the countess ' s , the late earl ' s , and the strangers '; these severally open into what may be called the common rooms—the great hall , the statue gallery , the saloon , all of which again communicate with the dining-room . There may in some few palaces be found more magnificence and grander proportionsbut human genius could not contrive anything in which
conve-, nience could be more apparent than in this . The fitting-up in the interior is in the most splendid style , combined with finished taste . The ceilings of many of the rooms are curiously gilt , and adorned with fret and Mosaic work ; the Venetian windows are ornamented with beautiful pillars , and are profusely gilt ; the chimneypieces are of the most costly marble ; but these , from their exquisite sculpture , are peculiarly deserving of attention . Two are in the dining-