Divine right to an office, to which they have been clearly called, in the first instance, by the voice of the people, or who, by their silence, have shown their consent to such elevation, so much above their fellows, when we read of the unwholesome and tyrannical use which they have made of the power so conferred. If our indignation could give place to any other feeling at such a time, it would be to that of pity mingled with scorn and contempt for some of the visionaries of the present day, who, living in safety, and having protection for themselves, their families, and property, yet talk of "the glorious days of bluff King Hal," when, by the bye, they had protection for neither. Putney could at one time boast of possessing a ferry, which is mentioned in Domesday-book; and it was at this point, after the battle of Brentford, during the civil wars, when Charles withdrew to Kingston, that the Earl of Essex crossed the river, by means of a bridge of boats, in pursuit. Cromwell at one time had his head-quarters at Putney, when the general officers held their councils in the church, sitting round the communion table. Putney bridge, which is of wood, was erected in the year 1729, at the cost of 23,9751. At this spot commences the towing-path, by which is afforded to the pedestrian an opportunity of pursuing the banks of this truly majestic river as far as Leachlade, in Gloucestershire, where it ceases to be navigable. Nor is this path liable to the objection of continuing on one side of the river the whole distance, as it changes by means of bridges, but more often by ferries, (which will be noticed in their proper places,) from one bank to the other, quite as often as the traveller could desire; thus offering that variety which is most pleasing, and for which it would have been censured, had it not afforded. The face of the country hereabout, and for several miles further, affords nothing better to the eye than an uninteresting flat; in the mean time, the hamlet of HAMMERSMITH presents itself to our view, situated on the west side of the great western road, and stretching down from thence to the river, over which a suspension bridge of iron has been erected, which has been, and still continues to be, deservedly admired by all who have made it their business or their pleasure (and they are numerous) to visit and inspect it. It is of light construction, and beautiful in appearance, reflecting infinite credit alike on its original projector, and on the engineer under whose direction it was constructed, for the beauty of its execution; more especially as the work was completed considerably below the estimate and within the time stipulated-a thing of such rare occurrence, that when it does happen, its remembrance should not be lost for want of being mentioned. Here formerly existed a nunnery (indeed it is not certain that it is yet abolished), which had its rise in the year 1669, when two females, having instituted a school for the education of ladies of the Roman Catholic persuasion, shortly afterwards adopted the observance of monastic rules: this circumstance gained for it the name by which it has been designated. Several of its inmates took the veil, thus devoting themselves to voluntary seclusion. Among the numerous seats which adorn this hamlet, formerly stood Brandenburgh House, the residence, for a short period, of the late Queen Caroline, consort of George the Fourth. It was built in the time of Charles the First, and was, at one period, the property of Prince Rupert, who gave it to his mistress, one Margaret Hughes, an actress; it was subsequently purchased by the Margrave of Anspach for the sum of 8,500l. who resided in this country until his decease, having given up his hereditary dominions in Germany to the king of Prussia, in consideration of being secured in the receipt of a large annual sum. Shortly after the death of the queen it was pulled down and the materials sold. The river from this hamlet sweeps rapidly off to the left, passing CHISWICK, in Middlesex, formerly called Cheswick. It is a long straggling village, with a church, whose tower, which is of stone, was erected so far back as the fifteenth century; the other parts are of more recent date, and of brick. In the church-yard, lying close to the river's brink, are deposited the remains of Hogarth, the great painter and engraver, on whose mausoleum is inscribed an epitaph written by David Garrick, which, as it may possibly not have met the eyes of some of my readers, is here inserted for their perusal : "Farewell, great painter of mankind, Who reach'd the noblest point of art; If genius fires thee, reader, stay If nature moves thee, drop a tear; If neither touch thee, turn away, For Hogarth's honour'd dust lies here." He died on the 26th day of October, 1762, aged sixty-four years. In this parish stands Chiswick House, a villa belonging to the Duke of Devonshire; it was formerly called Burlington House, and owes its origin to Richard Earl of Burlington, whose name will long be held in reverence by all admirers of the arts and sciences, of which he was a great encourager, both in respect to pecuniary assistance and personal influence. The present structure was erected especially under his superintendence, from a model by Inigo Jones, from one of Palladio's chef-d'ouvres, and has since received every ornament that nature assisted by art could bestow. Formerly it was a square of only 78 feet, but being found too small for the domestic arrangements of its noble owner, it received the addition of two wings. On entering the grounds it is seen to great advantage between two rows of magnificent cedars of Lebanon. The house is entered by ascending a double flight of steps, on each side of which are placed the statues of Palladio and Inigo Jones; and is embellished by a beautiful portico, supported by fluted columns of the Corinthian order, having a rich cornice, frieze, and architrave. It possesses a beautiful saloon, of an octagonal form, terminating at the top in a dome. The grounds, which slope beautifully down to the edge of the stream, are disposed in every variety of shape and form that the most exquisite taste could devise, presenting altogether a coup-d'œil truly enchanting. The river here assumes the form of a crescent, enclosing the village of BARNES, anciently called Berne, on three of its sides with water: the parish is of great extent. The church is of an ancient date, but not deserving of any particular mention with respect to its architecture or pictorial effect; it, however, possesses a singularity which must not be passed over, in a number of rose-trees that are seen in different parts of the church-yard, railed in against the buttresses. This singularity is accounted for in the following manner: About 200 years ago, a person of the name of Rose left by his will a small plot of ground to trustees, directing them to plant and rail in certain rose-trees round the buttresses on the outside of the church; which has been done and kept up from that time to the present day. At the east end of the church |