the ceilings of the library are beautifully painted,* and contain some very fine productions of Claude of Lorraine; also a portrait of Pope, and another of Betterton, both painted by Pope, said to be the only two he ever produced: likewise a full length portrait of the first Earl, by Martin, and a bust of him, by Nollekens. There are also many scarce works of other artists of eminence. This beautiful room was designed by Adams, and is sixty feet in length, by twenty-one in breadth. The grounds are made up of graceful undulations, and enlivened by several spacious sheets of water, ornamented by Cedars of Libanus of considerable height, one of them planted by the Chief Justice with his own hands; a large portion of woodland enriches the domain, and a fine serpentine walk displays to the visitor the various beauties of this diversified tract, while the vistas are judiciously formed, casually exhibiting land unconnected with the estate, but adding to its picturesque and rural beauty.

At a distance from the mansion is a neatly constructed dairy, decidedly unequalled in taste and fittings-up by any building of the kind for many miles around London.

The agricultural erections display the judgment of the late noble owner, for whom they were constructed, * By Julius Ibbetson.

F

and the disposition and management of the farming operations, justify the appellation of its being a model farm, worthy the imitation of landed proprietors.

THE RIOTS OF 1780.

Those who have lived only in peaceful times, as we happily do now, can form but an inadequate conception of the horrors of warfare abroad, or of the confusion and misery of popular tumults at home.

Scenes of the latter description have not been enacted in the great metropolis since those of the year 1780, commonly called the "Gordon Riots;" and many there must still be who remember too feelingly the troubles they entailed on numberless sufferers.

Detachments of the Cambridgeshire Militia were stationed in Highgate and Hampstead, and large quantities of ammunition deposited in the vaults of the churches. As far as display went, preparations appear to have been made for defence, rather than prevention, for in the incursions of the rioters into the suburbs, and even to Highgate, the demands made at the houses for money were complied with, as a means of momentary security; and numberless were the sums, varying from one shilling to five, extorted at the doors of the panic-struck inhabitants;

in fact, it became unsafe for any person without a blue favor, denoting his concurrence in the lawless proceedings, to appear in the streets or roads during several days, and this even in the midst of the military.

As time advances, the reflections upon those tumults by sufferance, arise to our imaginations in proportion to the thankfulness we ought all to participate in that we have been spared the realities of similar outrages.

Amongst the sufferers by the ravages of the infuriated mobs of those days, it is well known the first Earl of Mansfield* was one; his house in Bloomsbury Square was burnt to the ground on the 6th June, 1780,† and himself and Lady Stormont escaped only by hastily quitting it. Maddened by this and many other unchecked excesses, the word of command was, "to Ken Wood," intending the mansion there should share a similar fate. The routes of the rabble were through Highgate and Hampstead, to the Spaniard's Tavern, kept at the time by a person named Giles Thomas. He quickly learnt their object,

* Then Lord Stormont.

The loss was estimated at £30,000. His books in the valuable library cost £10,000; they comprised the choicest collection of scarce manuscripts ever known in the possession of an individual. Lord Stormont's note books were also destroyed, an irreparable loss to the bar.

and with a coolness and promptitude which did him great credit, persuaded the rioters to refresh themselves thoroughly, before commencing the work of devastation; he threw his house open, and even his cellars for their entertainment, but secretly despatched a messenger to the barracks for a detachment of the Horse-guards, which, arriving through Milfield Farm Lane, intercepted the approach northward, and opportunely presented a bold front to the rebels, who by that time had congregated in the road, which then passed within a few paces of the mansion. Whilst some of the rioters were being regaled at the Spaniards, others were liberally supplied* with strong ale from the cellars of Ken Wood House, out of tubs placed on the road-side. Mr. William Wetherellt also, who attended the family, happened to be on the spot, and, with great resolution and presence of mind, addressed the mob, and induced many to adjourn to the Spaniards for a short period. The liquors, the excitement, and the infa. tuation soon overcame the exhausted condition of the rabble, who, in proportion to the time thus gained by the troops, had become doubly disqualified for concerted mischief; for, great as were their numbers, their daring

* By Mr. John Hunter, an old, faithful, and respected steward of the late Earl's.

+ Grandfather of Mr. N. T. Wetherell.