Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-06-15
Ma. AsroRs sneLisH gsrArE.
An ExquIuits Sylvan Retreat OF n Lowell
-. Ir..-l...I...l l.. u...-I-.-n


meas Unrivaled In England.
There Is no part OF the Thames from Lon,
don TO Reading better known or more IA,
nous for sylvan charm than those over
hanging woods which fringe the steep river
bank near Maidenhead, and which belong
TO the estate Of Cliveden--or, as it Is some.
times spelled, Cliefden. Few spots art
more familiar to the boating man, who
ranks it above all other beauties Of the
Thames, the quarry woods at NARROW and
the plantations at Nuneham forming with
1t trio Of characteristics riverain scenes
Looked at from a little distance-from. the
Formosa islands bank, for instance-the
Cliveden woods appear to form a dense
mass Of foliage, but in reality there are
numerous gsps, formed either by the wind
ing pathways or by exposed tracts ofohalk.
Magnificent yew trees hang from the
cliffs with their twisted roots exposed To
the air. There are luxuriant wreaths ei
wild clematis suspended from fhe tops OF
the trees, while all kinds of flowt tting plants
grow plentifully In the shade The lofti
ness Of the ridge opposite to the Berkshire
side, which is geographically continuation
Of Hedsor park, gives every advantage to
the hanging woods of Cliveden, bringing
them effectually into contrast with the sur,
rounding level land through which the
Thames in it its subsequent course has fol-
many miles to run. Whether we see them
In summer or In autumn, the exquisite va
riety Of tints in the trees forms picture Of
forest lovsliness which is probably unri-
vailed in England.
The history Of the, estate begins with
George Villiers. duke Of Buckingham, the
favorite Of Charles II. 1t was here that he
fed in company with the Countess OF
Shrewsbury, who held his horse. disguised
as a page. while he killed her husband in a
duel The Duchess of Buckingham-so
Pepys tells unsolicited to the presence OF
the inconstant lady, saying it was not for
her and the other to live together In a
house Whereto George Villiers answered,
Madame, did think so and therefore have
ordered your coach to be ready to carry you
to your fathers" Then the scene changes
TO the times Of Frederick, prince of Wales
and father of George III, who resided here
for short period and listened to the IA,
nous national air, Rule, Britannia, {"
which, composed by DR.. Arne, was per.
formed before him for the first time on
Aug. l, l740 In 1795 the original edifice
was burned to the ground, and in 1880 it
was rebuilt by Sir G. Warrender.
A second confagration awaited it after it
had been transferred to the Duke of Suth-
erland, when it was once more rebuilt from
designs by Barry in 1S49. The house itself,
which passed a short time ago into the
hands of the Duke of Westminster, is not
in any sense picturesque. 1t is great and
heavy mass of masonry, the center being a
revival Of Inigo Jones' design for old Som
erset House. But the grounds have been
brought to rare pitch of perfection, and
the views from the terrace, especially that
which looks toward Windsor castle, com
mand beautiful expanse of varied Eng.
lish landscape.-London Telegraph.