white-fronted edifice, the surrounding grounds which are very beautiful,
were laid out by the celebrated Repton. Babworth church is a neat gothic
building, with a small steeple; it is worthy of remark, that there are
two trees growing out of the roof of the south porch. Near this village
the ground begins to rise, and displays the most enchanting scenery of
woods, lawns, glades, heaths, cultivated farms, and ornamental seats.
The late Paul Sandby, Esq., R.A., who died on the 8th of November, 1809,
was descended from a branch of the Sandby family, of Babworth, and was
born at Nottingham, in 1732. In 1746 he went to London, and having an
early bias towards the arts, he got introduced into the drawing room of
the Tower. After two years he was appointed draughtsman, under the
inspection of Mr. David Watson, who was employed by the late Duke of
Cumberland to take a survey of the Highlands. During this excursion he
made several sketches from the terrific scenery of that romantic
country, from which he afterwards made a number of small etchings, which
were published in a folio volume. From this circumstance, perhaps, we
may account for the bold and striking style by which the paintings of
this excellent artist are so peculiarly distinguished. In 1752, he
quitted this employment and resided with his brother at Windsor. Several
of the most beautiful views in the neighbourhood of Windsor and Eton,
now became the subject of his pencil; here also he obtained that skill
in depicting gothic architecture which gave so beautiful an effect to
those landscapes that Sir Joseph Banks purchased them all at a very
liberal price. Mr. Sandby published several prints in ridicule of the
inimitable Hogarth's "Analysis of Beauty," but he afterwards declared,
that had he known the merits of that exquisite painter at the time, he
should not have dared to depreciate them. On the institution of "the
Royal Academy," he was elected one of the Academicians. He was
afterwards appointed chief drawing master of the Royal Academy at
Woolwich, and held the office with honour and credit to the day of his
death.
[Sidenote: Trees grow out of the roof of the church.]
[Sidenote: Paul Sandby, Esq.]
[Sidenote: Sandby the painter.]
Map|Names of Places. | County.| Number of Miles From |
+--+----------------------+--------+------------+-----------+
28|Badby[A] pa|Northamp|Daventry 3|Banbury 14|
39|Baddesley-Clinton pa|Warwick |Warwick 7|Solihull 6|
39|Baddesley-Ensor pa|Warwick |Atherstone 3|Tamworth 6|
16|Baddesley-North pa|Hants |Romsey 4|Wincheste 8|
16|Baddesley-South[B] ham|Hants |Lymington 2|Yarmouth 5|
7|Baddiley[C] pa|Chester |Nantwich 3|Malpas 9|
7|Baddington to|Chester | 2|Tarporley 9|
14|Baddow (Great)[D] pa|Essex |Chelmsford 2|Witham 10|
+--+---------------------+---------+------------+-----------+
|Dist.|
Map|Names of Places. |Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+----------------------+--------+------------+-----+-----+
28|Badby[A] pa|Northamp 13| 75| 583|
39|Baddesley-Clinton pa|Henley in A. 6| 97| 110|
39|Baddesley-Ensor pa|Coleshill 9| 108| 568|
16|Baddesley-North pa|Southampton 7| 70| 297|
16|Baddesley-South[B] ham|Beaulieu 6| 88| ...|
7|Baddiley[C] pa|Tarporley 9| 167| 267|
7|Baddington to|Malpas 11| 166| 132|
14|Baddow (Great)[D] pa|Maldon 9| 31| 1719|
+--+----------------------+---------------------+-----+-----+
[A] BADBY. This extensive village is situated on the brow of a hill, in
the large uninclosed district of Badby-Down. Here are numerous springs,
and several quarries of flag-stone, which, from its excellence, is very
extensively employed for the purposes of building and paving. On the
summit of Arbury Hill, in this parish, is a large encampment, which is
attributed to the Romans: the ramparts are very steep, and the whole is
encompassed by a very wide and deep foss.
[Sidenote: Quarries.]
[B] BADDESLEY. This village was celebrated a short time ago for a
singular tree it contained, from which was frequently heard to issue
groans as though uttered by a person in acute agony. The tree was an
elm, young, vigorous, and to all appearance perfectly sound; and what is
most wonderful, naturalists could assign no physical reason for the
phenomena. Its fame spread far and wide; a pamphlet was written with an
account of it, and persons came miles to visit it. The tree, however, it
would seem with the fickleness attendant too often upon those who have
gained celebrity, would not always groan, yet no cause could be assigned
for its temporary cessations, either from seasons or weather. Many
superstitious tales were raised by the country people and alleged as
reasons for this singular occurrence; and for eighteen or twenty months
it continued an object of considerable interest; a gentleman of the name
of Forbes, making an experiment to discover its cause, by boring a hole
in its trunk, put a period to its agonies, it never groaned again. It
was afterwards rooted up with a further view to make a discovery, but in
vain. It is universally believed that there was no trick in the affair,
but that some natural cause really existed, though never understood.
[Sidenote: The groaning tree.]
[C] BADDILEY. A parish in the hundred of Nantwich. This place is
principally remarkable for its church, standing on a small green
surrounded by farm buildings. It consists of a small nave and chancel,
and was constructed entirely of English oak; it is of the most remote
antiquity, and presented a most unique specimen of ecclesiastical
buildings of timber, previous to the introduction of stone; the upright
timbers being much decayed were cased with brick in 1811, it having
stood so many centuries that it was in danger of falling; the roof and
ceiling are still in fine preservation. In the chancel are remains of
some ancient stalls, and two elegant marble monuments, erected to the
Mainwaring family, who were lords of the manor. Baddiley Hall, the
former residence of this family, was a very old irregular building of
timber and plaister, but has been lately pulled down.
[Sidenote: An oaken church.]
[D] BADDOW. (Great). This extensive, populous, and genteel village, from
its peculiarly delightful situation, has become the residence of a
considerable number of highly respectable families. Previous to the
conquest, the manor was part of the possessions of Algar, Earl of
Mercia. In consequence, however, of the rebellion of his son and
successor, Earl Eadwine, who was slain in battle, this lordship, with
other estates, was granted by King William to the monastery of the Holy
Trinity at Caen, in Normandy. In the reign of Henry I., the crown was
again possessed of it, and about the same period, the Earls of
Gloucester became its proprietors; from which time, after having been
vested in many noble families, it is now in the possession of the family
of Houblon. Two chauntries of some value were formerly in the church.
Map|Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+----------------------+----------+-------------+--------------+
14|Baddow, Little[A] pa|Essex |Chelmsford 5|Witham 6|
33|Badger pa|Salop |Bridgenorth 6|Shifnal 6|
15|Badgington pa|Gloucester|Cirencester 4|Northleach 9|
15|Badgworth pa|Gloucester|Cheltenham 4|Painswick 8|
34|Badgworth pa|Somerset |Axbridge 3|Bridgewater 12|
36|Badingham pa|Suffolk |Framlingham 4|Halesworth 6|
21|Badlesmere[B] pa|Kent |Faversham 4|Charing 6|
36|Badley pa|Suffolk |Needham 2|Stowmarket 2|
15|Badminton, Great[C] pa|Gloucester|Sodbury 6|Tetbury 10|
+--+---------------------+-----------+-------------+--------------+
|Dist.|
Map|Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+----------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+
14|Baddow, Little[A] pa|Maldon 7| 34| 548|
33|Badger pa|Madeley 6| 134| 142|
15|Badgington pa|Cheltenham 12| 93| 167|
15|Badgworth pa|Gloucester 5| 98| 859|
34|Badgworth pa|Wells 12| 133| 352|
36|Badingham pa|Saxmundham 6| 91| 866|
21|Badlesmere[B] pa|Canterbury 11| 48| 135|
36|Badley pa|Bildeston 8| 71| 82|
15|Badminton, Great[C] pa|Malmesbury 10| 106| 529|
+--+----------------------+----------------------+-------+--------+
[A] BADDOW, (Little). The church at this place contains a rich and
splendid monument to the memory of Sir Henry Mildmay, Knight, who died
in October, 1639. He is represented in a full suit of armour, reposing
under a dome, which rests upon black marble pillars; two female figures
kneel at his feet; the one elderly, and dressed in a scarf and hood, the
other young, and magnificently attired in the fashion of the time. The
head of the knight is supported by a pillow. From a latin inscription
upon an oval tablet, we learn that Sir Henry having served as a soldier
in the Irish wars, was for his gallantry knighted in the field. The
carved effigies of two female figures, said by tradition to have been
sisters and founders of this church, occupy recesses in the south wall
of the centre aisle. Upon examining the two graves in which it was
supposed that the corpses of the persons whose figures stood in the
niches were interred, in one of them were found three skeletons, and two
in the other, but without the slightest vestige of wood, linen, coffin,
or any other covering to the bodies. In the year 1817, Edward Bullin,
Esq., bequeathed 196 acres of land, and a wood containing thirty-six
acres, for the purpose of clothing and educating the children in this
parish and that of Boreham.
[Sidenote: Sir Henry Mildmay.]
[Sidenote: Skeletons found.]
[B] BADLESMERE. Bartholomew de Badlesmere, lord of the manor in the
reign of Edward the Second, obtained a license for founding a house of
regular canons in this place. The church is a small and very plain Saxon
structure. In the porch are the fronts of two ancient wooden seats,
carved in high relief; one represents a shield, on which are the star,
ribbon, and motto of the order of the garter: on the other are some
Scriptural sentences, relative to the Holy Trinity, in four circles,
united by bands; so that the words Pater, Filius, Spisces and Deus,
though only once repeated in the circles, form a part of every sentence.
[Sidenote: Curious carvings in wood.]
[C] BADMINTON, (Great) has been the seat of the ducal family of
Beaufort, ever since the demolition of Ragland Castle, in the civil
wars. Badminton House, the family residence of the duke, is situated in
a noble park nearly nine miles in circumference, through which various
avenues have been formed. It was erected by the first duke of Beaufort
in the year 1682. It is a very extensive building, on the French model.
In the hall is a large sarcophagus of Roman sculpture, representing a
bacchanalian procession; this was given to the third duke of Beaufort,
by Cardinal Alberoni. By that distinguished prelate, who died in 1745,
many curious and original paintings were procured during his residence
in Italy; among them is a Holy Family, by Raphael; and several by Guido
and Carlo Dolci are much esteemed. He also purchased the very singular
and finely painted satirical picture by Salvator Rosa, for which that
artist was expelled Rome. "The Sovereigns of the different nations are
here depicted by different animals, as an eagle, a wolf, a sheep, a hog,
a fox, a cow, and an ass; the latter has the pontifical pall thrown over
him, and the blind goddess, Fortune, is represented showering her gifts
over the whole group." Some excellent landscapes, by the Italian
masters, are also preserved here; and a very fine series of fourteen
portraits, of the Beauforts, from John of Gaunt, from whom they trace
their genealogy. Badminton church is an elegant structure; it was built
by the late duke in 1785, and contains many monuments of the Beaufort
family.
[Sidenote: Duke of Beaufort's seat.]
[Sidenote: Fine paintings.]
Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+
15|Badminton, Little ti|Gloucester|Sodbury 6|Tetbury 10|
42|Badsey pa|Worcester |Evesham 2|Broadway 4|
37|Badshot ti|Surrey |Farnham 2|Guildford 9|
45|Badsworth pa|W.R. York |Pontefract 5|Wakefield 9|
36|Badwell-Ash pa|Suffolk |Stowmarket 8|Ixworth 4|
34|Bagborough-West pa|Somerset |Taunton 12|Watchet 7|
43|Bagby chap|N.R. York |Thirsk 3|Borobridge 11|
23|Baggrave lib|Leicester |Leicester 9|Melton 7|
39|Baginton[A] pa|Warwick |Coventry 4|Rugby 13|
54|Baglan[B] pa|Glamorgan |Neath 4|Aberavon 2|
+--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. |Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+
15|Badminton, Little ti|Malmesbury 10| 106| 116|
42|Badsey pa|Alcester 15| 98| 463|
37|Badshot ti|Frimley 7| 37| |
45|Badsworth pa|Doncaster 11| 171| 782|
36|Badwell-Ash pa|Bury 12| 78| 490|
34|Bagborough-West pa|Stowey 8| 156| 453|
43|Bagby chap|Easingwold 8| 220| 289|
23|Baggrave lib|Houghton 5| 100| 16|
39|Baginton[A] pa|Kenilworth 4| 90| 257|
54|Baglan[B] pa|Swansea 13| 194| 410|
+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BAGINTON. The Hall, a seat of a descendant of the Bromley family,
who purchased the estate in the reign of James I., was built by
secretary Bromley. This gentleman, one of the most honest and able
servants of Queen Anne, was Speaker of the House of Commons. In proof of
the high estimation in which he was held, it is necessary only to cite a
memorable circumstance relative to the residence under notice. In 1706,
the family seat at Baginton was reduced to the ground by fire.
Intelligence of this calamity was conveyed to the owner while attending
his duty in the House of Commons, and a considerable sum was immediately
voted by parliament towards a restoration of the structure. Here is
barely to be traced the site of the castellated residence of Sir William
Bagot, a firm adherent of Richard II., at which the Duke of Hereford,
afterwards Henry IV., lodged the night previous to his projected
personal contest with Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, in the presence
of the King on Gosford Green, where the lists were formed; the scene is
admirably described by Shakespeare.
[Sidenote: Once destroyed by fire].
[B] BAGLAN is a parish in the hundred of Neath. The village is of the
most romantic beauty, and the scenery in the neighbourhood is of a
delightful character. Near this place is Britton Ferry, which is
interesting, not only on account of its sylvan fascinations, but as
being the domain of Lord Jersey, whose extensive plantations spread over
several bold hills westward of the Neath river, a stream which here
emerges in a fine sweep, between woody banks, partly broken into cliffs
and at a short distance descends into the sea. "From a delightful shady
walk over the stream, we branched off," says Mr. Barber, "into an 'alley
green,' which led us up a steep hill, covered with large trees, and
tangled underwood; the ascent was judiciously traced, where several bare
crags, projecting from the soil, formed an opposite contrast to the
luxuriant verdure which prevailed around. On gaining the summit, the
charms of Britton Ferry disclosed themselves in 'an ample theatre of
sylvan grace,' of more than common beauty: beyond which, the Bristol
Channel, bounded by the aerial tint of its opposite coast, formed the
distance. From this roaming prospect, however, the eye gladly returned
to gaze on the local beauties of the scene, the tufted knoll, the dark
glade, and the majestic river." The mansion is a very ordinary building;
the house is low having two wings, with attic windows in the roof,
ornamented with a bullustraded parapet. The neat simplicity of the
hamlet deserves remark; perhaps the church is unrivalled, both for its
picturesque situation, and moral interest. The custom of planting
evergreens over the remains of departed friends, and bedecking them with
flowers at certain seasons of the year, is here attended to with
peculiar care; and to this pleasing tribute of tenderness and affection
the "Bard of Avon" refers in the following beautiful lines:--
"With fairest flowers while summer lasts,
I'll sweeten thy sad grave, thou shalt not lack
The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose: nor
The azured harebell, like thy veins: no, nor
The leaf of eglantine, whom not to slander,
Out-sweetened not thy breath."
David Ap Gwillym also beautifully alludes to this practice: "Oh, while
thy season of flowers, and thy tender sprays thick of leaves remain, I
will pluck the roses from the brakes, the flowers from the meads, the
vivid trefoils, beauties of the ground, and the gaily smiling bloom of
the verdant herbs, humbly will I lay them on the grave of Ivor!" This
part of Wales is so mild in its climate, that myrtles, magnolias, and
other tender exotics, grow luxuriantly in the open air. Near Baglan is a
well with medicinal properties, but many superstitious notices are
associated with its use in the neighbourhood.
_Mail_ arrives at Aberavon, 2 miles distant, 6 evening; departs, 7.30
morning.
[Sidenote: Lord Jersey's seat].
[Sidenote: Britton Ferry.]
[Sidenote: Planting evergreens over graves.]
Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+------------------+----------+------------+-------------+
4|Bagley Wood ti|Berks |Abingdon 3|Oxford 3|
34|Bagnall to|Stafford |Leek 6|Newcastle 6|
4|Bagnor to|Berks |Newbury 2|Hungerford 7|
37|Bagshot[A] vil|Surrey |Staines 10|Blackwater 4|
27|Bagthorpe pa|Norfolk |Burnham 7|Fakenham 9|
7|Baguley to|Chester |Knutsford 2|Altringham 5|
23|Bagworth chap|Leicester |M. Bosworth 5|Ashby 9|
45|Baildon[B] to&chap|W.R. York |Bradford 5|Otley 6|
22|Bailey to|Lancaster |Clithero 5|Blackburn 8|
+--+------------------+----------+-------------+------------+
|Dist.
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+------------------+------------------------+-----+------+
4|Bagley Wood ti|Cumnor 4| 57| 21|
34|Bagnall to|Cheadle 8| 154| 306|
4|Bagnor to|Lambourn 10| 58| 594|
37|Bagshot[A] vil|Windsor 11| 26| 1912|
27|Bagthorpe pa|Lynn 14| 109| 73|
7|Baguley to|Stockport 11| 176| 468|
23|Bagworth chap|Leicester 10| 108| 328|
45|Baildon[B] to&chap|Keighley 7| 201| 3041|
22|Bailey to|Preston 14| 219| |
+--+------------------+------------------------+-----+------+
[A] BAGSHOT is a village on the great western road, in the parish of
Windlesham, and hundred of Woking. Bagshot heath derives its name from
this village; it is one of the most extensive wastes in the kingdom, and
was formerly the scene of many highway robberies. Its appearance is
extremely desolate, but it is useful in supplying the inhabitants with
fuel, and feeds a great number of sheep, the mutton of which is
excellent; but like other animals fed on a similar pasture, the sheep
are small. On the edge of the heath are several noblemen's seats. Among
which, Hall Grove, the residence of Mrs. Birt; Chobham Place, S.
Thornton, Esq.; South Hill Park, the Earl of Limerick; and Easthampstead
Park, the seat of the Marquis of Downshire; are deserving the notice of
the curious traveller. Bagshot Park to the north of the village, was
once the seat of his late Majesty George IV. when Prince of Wales; after
which time it was inhabited by the late Duke of Gloucester,
(brother-in-law of his present Majesty) until the day of his decease,
which occurred on the 30th of November, 1834, in the 58th year of his
age; his remains were interred in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle,
on the 11th of the following month. Bagshot was formerly a lordship of
the kings of England, and was much resorted to by James I., and Charles
I., to enjoy the pleasures of the chace.
_Mail_ arrives 10.14 night; departs 3.28 morning--_Inns_, King's
Arms, and White Hart.
[Sidenote: Bagshot heath.]
[B] BAILDON is in the parish of Otley and wapentake of Skyrack, and is
situated on the river Aire. The inhabitants are principally engaged in
trade and manufactures. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes within a
mile and a half from this place.
_Fair_, first Saturday in March and November, for horses, horned
cattle &c.
Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+-------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+
9|Bailie to|Cumberland|Carlisle 18|Bewcastle 2|
43|Bainbridge to|N.R. York |Askrigg 2|Hawes 4|
28|Bainton pa|Northamp |Wandsford 5|Deeping 4|
31|Bainton ham|Oxford |Bicester 3|Deddington 8|
46|Bainton pa|E.R. York |G. Driffield 6|Beverley 11|
10|Bakewell[A] mt & pa|Derby |Chesterfield 11|Manchester 35|
+--+-------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+
9|Bailie to|Brampton 10| 312| 454|
43|Bainbridge to|Middleham 13| 246| 831|
28|Bainton pa|Stamford 4| 89| 171|
31|Bainton ham|Aynhoe 6| 56| 27|
46|Bainton pa|Weighton 10| 196| 300|
10|Bakewell[A] mt & pa|Wirksworth 13| 153| 9503|
+--+-------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+