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Page 17
A stranger should make his perambulation by first ascending the hill by
the _old_ carriage-road, passing several villas (see list) secluded by
dense shrubberies and large trees; a circumstance little to be
regretted, as their chief boast is the amenity of their location. But
through the tall plantations on the right our eye will be delightfully
attracted by the picturesque turrets of East Cowes Castle, and the
surrounding beautiful grounds. At the pretty lodge-entrance to the
castle, the road divides,--the left-hand branch running to Norris, the
right to Osborne and Newport; and in about eight or ten minutes' further
walk, we can return by the new road through "East Cowes Park."
* * * * *
[Illustration: OSBORNE, ISLE OF WIGHT]
_The Principal Seats near East Cowes._
OSBORNE, the property of HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY, is entitled, equally
from public interest and its own importance, to the first notice under
this head.--The situation is everyway eligible for the _marine_
residence of a sovereign of the British Isles: for it commands a most
extensive and _animated_ prospect, including Spithead and other naval
stations: has a beautiful sea-beach (with a private landing-place); and
is sheltered by extensive woods and plantations. The original seat was a
plain family mansion surrounded by park-like grounds, which have been
extended by the purchase of several farms--including BARTON (whose fine
old Elizabethan manor-house has received a complete and judicious
reparation): so that the estate is now most conveniently bounded on the
west by the high-road from East Cowes to Newport; on the south by a
branch of the same road to Ryde; on the east by a sheltered cove called
King's Quay (as tradition will have it from the circumstance of King
John there concealing himself for a time when opposed by the barons):
and on the north-east by the beautiful Solent Channel. Thus compassed by
the sea and the best roads in the island, it extends from north to south
about two miles and a half, by nearly two miles from east to west;
enjoying the most delightful variety of scenery, from the simple picture
of rural life to the grandeur of our NAVAL GLORY, and the majesty of the
ocean itself.
The quality of the soil differs very considerably; but the worst is
well adapted for oak-plantations; and the thorough draining and
other improvements now carrying on will make the whole admirably
suited for agricultural pursuits, to which H.R.H. the Prince
Consort is very partial. A great part of the estate is enclosed by
a park-fence; and through the luxuriant woods and undulating
grounds, several miles of excellent private carriage-roads have
been constructed, much more being in progress.
The PALACE occupies the site of the old house; it is in the Palladian
style (which so admirably admits the application to domestic
architecture of the most beautiful features of the Grecian orders).
Within the ballustrade of its lofty flat roof is a charming promenade in
fine weather.
The flag-tower is 107 feet in height, the clock-tower 90, the first
terrace-wall 17, and the second 10. The Royal Apartments are contained
in the loftiest part of the building--they are handsome and spacious,
and standing altogether in advance, command on every side the most
uninterrupted views: at the back is the flag-tower, communicating with
an open corridor which extends the whole of the north-west face of the
building; and on the other side of the tower is the carriage-entrance,
opening on pleasure-grounds adorned with the choicest varieties of
ornamental shrubs--thriving with a luxuriance which promises well for
the appearance of the estate, when the whole shall have been finished.
The builder is T. Cubitt, esq.; but the design, we believe, was
principally furnished by His Royal Highness Prince Albert himself--whose
taste, and knowledge of the fine arts, well qualify him for the
undertaking.
As it would be almost impossible to convey by verbal description a
correct idea of the general appearance of this noble structure, we
beg to refer our readers to the annexed Engraving--and also to the
Views of Osborne, recently published in the "Vectis Scenery," and
which may be purchased separately at 1s. each.
NORRIS is a noble specimen of the castellated mansion, having been
built in imitation of an ancient Norman fabric--massive in its
construction, and remarkable for a stern simplicity of style disdaining
all minute decoration. From this circumstance, and some of the loftiest
towers being enveloped in the most luxuriant ivy, the whole building has
so venerable an air of antiquity, even when closely examined, that we
can hardly suppose it to be the production of modern days: and enjoying
too as it does an uncommonly fine position on the most northern hill of
the island, its general aspect is truly magnificent in every point of
view. It is scarcely necessary to add, that the castle commands a most
interesting marine prospect.
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