with his personality to such a degree as to feel it
to be his home. It must be like a small lobster in a shell much too large
for him.

After seeing what was to be seen of the rooms, we visited the gardens, in
which are noble conservatories and hot-houses, containing all manner of
rare and beautiful flowers, and tropical fruits. I noticed some large
pines, looking as if they were really made of gold. The gardener
(under-gardener I suppose he was) who showed this part of the spectacle
was very intelligent as well as kindly, and seemed to take an interest in
his business. He gave S---- a purple everlasting flower, which will endure
a great many years, as a memento of our visit to Eaton Hall. Finally, we
took a view of the front of the edifice, which is very fine, and much more
satisfactory than the interior--and returned to Chester.

HOLLAND HOUSE [Footnote: From "Homes and Haunts of the Most Eminent
British Poets."]

BY WILLIAM HOWITT

Of Holland House, the last residence of Addison, it would require a long
article to give a fitting idea. This fine old mansion is full of historic
associations. It takes its name from Henry Rich, earl of Holland, whose
portrait is in Bilton. It was built by his father-in-law, Sir Walter Cope,
in 1607, and affords a very good specimen of the architecture of that
period. The general form is that of a half H. The projection in the
center, forming: at once porch and tower, and the two wings supported on
pillars, give great decision of effect to it. The stone quoins worked with
a sort of arabesque figure, remind one of the style of some portions of
Heidelberg Castle, which is what is called on the Continent roccoco. Here
it is deemed Elizabethan; but the plain buildings attached on each side to
the main body of the house, with their shingled and steep-roofed towers,
have a very picturesque and Bohemian look. Altogether, it is a charming
old pile, and the interior corresponds beautifully with the exterior.
There is a fine entrance-hall, a library behind it, and another library
extending the whole length of one of the wings and the house upstairs, one
hundred and five feet in length. The drawing-room over the entrance-hall,
called the Gilt Room, extends from front to back of the house, and
commands views of the gardens both way; those to the back are very
beautiful.

In the house are, of course, many interesting and valuable works of art; a
great portion of them memorials of the disti