Cumner-Place, Berkshire.

CUMNER-PLACE has been rendered celebrated in the novel of Kenilworth, as the scene of a foul murder committed there in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. As an illustration to one of the novels of Sir Walter Scott, we are sure that our engraving, for a sketch of which we are indebted to a correspondent, will be acceptable to our readers. It is copied from an original drawing made by Mr. A. Whittock, of Oxford, previous to its being taken down in the year 1810.

Cumner is a small village in Berkshire, about three miles from the University of Oxford, pleasantly situated on the brow

of a hill commanding extensive views over the counties of Oxford and Gloucester. In this village stood an old monastic building called Cumner-Place, formerly belonging to the monks of the Abbey of Abingdon; at the suppression of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII. it was granted to a layman, and in the reign of Elizabeth, was the residence of Anthony Forster, who figures so conspicuously in the celebrated novel of Kenilworth. In this house the unfortunate Amy, Countess of Leicester, met her tragical death.

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This ancient structure surrounded a court or quadrangle of about 72 feet in length, and 50 in breadth. The principal entrance was on the north side under an archway, with rooms on either side of it; above these the "long gallery" extended the whole length of that side of the building. Not a vestige of Cumner-Place remains, from the effects of time and neglect; it had fallen into so delapidated a state that it was considered dangerous to approach the ruins. About fourteen years ago they were taken down by command of the Earl of Abingdon, the present owner of the manor of Cumner.