nt deer stalking like a shadow across the
opening.

I had now come in sight of the house. It is a large building of brick,
with stone quoins, and is in the Gothic style of Queen Elizabeth's day,
having been built in the first year of her reign. The exterior remains
very nearly in its original state, and may be considered a fair specimen
of the residence of a wealthy country gentleman of those days. A great
gateway opens from the park into a kind of courtyard in front of the
house, ornamented with a grass-plot, shrubs, and flower-beds. The gateway
is in imitation of the ancient barbican; being a kind of outpost and
flanked by towers; tho evidently for mere ornament, instead of defense.
The front of the house is completely in the old style; with stone shafted
casements, a great bow-window of heavy stone work, and a portal with
armorial bearings over it, carved in stone. At each corner of the building
is an octagon tower, surmounted by a gilt ball and weathercock.

The Avon, which winds through the park, makes a bend just at the foot of a
gently sloping bank, which sweeps down from the rear of the house. Large
herds of deer were feeding or reposing upon its borders; and swans were
sailing majestically upon its bosom.

After prowling about for some time, I at length found my way to a lateral
portal, which was the every-day entrance to the mansion. I was courteously
received by a worthy old housekeeper, who, with the civility and
communicativeness of her order, showed me the interior of the house. The
greater part has undergone alterations, and been adapted to modern tastes
and modes of living; there is a fine old oaken staircase; and the great
hall, that noble feature in an ancient manor-house, still retains much of
the appearance it must have had in the days of Shakespeare. The ceiling is
arched and lofty; and at one end is a gallery, in which stands an organ.
The weapons and trophies of the chase, which formerly adorned the hall of
a country gentleman, have made way for family portraits. There is a wide
hospitable fire-place, calculated for an ample old-fashioned wood fire,
formerly the rallying place of winter festivity. On the opposite side of
the hall is the huge Gothic bow-window, with stone shafts, which looks out
upon the court-yard. Here are emblazoned in stained glass the armorial
bearings of the Lucy family for many generations, some being dated in
1558....

I regretted to find that the ancient furniture of th