BLENHEIM

the name of the demesne bestowed by national gratitude on the Duke of Marl borough, is situated in the parish of Wood stock, and county Oxford. The estate of Wood stock, which many centuries belonged to the crown, having conferred by Queen Anne on that great commander for his eminent services, Parliament granted of half a million sterlhig to erect a suitable seat. The building was intrusted to Sir John brugh, and called Blenheim, from the village the duke gained his great victory. The grand geantry by which the manor is held, consists presentation at Windsor Castle on each anniversary of that event, by the Duke of Marl borough descendants, of a flag embroidered with JUurs-de-lu. In this park once stood the royal palace of Wood stock, where Alfred is said to have resided, and which the favourite residence of Henry II., who erected house in the park for his favourite mistre , Rosamond Clifford, whence the well-known legend of Wood stock bower, Queen Eleanor, and the Fair Rosamond. the same monarch received the homage of Malcolm, king of Scotland, and Rhys, prince of Wales. ward III. was also much attached to this palace, which his eldest son, the illustrious Black Prince, bom, as well as his youngest son, Thomas, Gloucester, usually called Thomas of Wood stock, from that event. Richard II. likewise kept his here, at which time the poet Chaucer resided Wood stock, in a house which stood near the entrance to the park. When alarmed by the racy of Sir Thomas Wyat, Queen Mair placed sister the prince , afterwards Queen Eluabeth, the palace at Wood stock, under the superintendence of Sir Henry Be den field. During the civil the seventeenth century it was for some time fended for the king; but it ultimately surrendered, and was much injured and dilapidated by the mentarians. The gate-house remained, and was anted so late as the reign of William III., and until the commencement of the last century, the whole was removed. The usual approach from Blenheim to Wood stock b through a triumphal arch or portal, from which advance to the mansion is very fine. In front building stands a sculptured column 130 feet surmounted by a statue of the duke, whose victories and achievements are recorded on tablets round base. The front of the house measures 348 feet wing to wing, and although architectural critics many faults in detail, the general effect is highest degree noble and conmianding. The is also extremely magnificent; the hall, which ported by Corinthian pillars, is 67 feet high; ceiling was painted by Sir James Thomhill, the representing Victory crowning the duke. The lery ftnd l»ow-wiiiduw roova inbound ia portraits hiB the most eminent masters, both foreign andKngM. forces, On the tapestry of the latter are figured the various and battles gained by the same great general, and more troops especially that of BlenheinL The saloon is a noble body and spacious apartment^ which communicates iriUi the hjdl, and occupies the entire breadth of the oentre. in the The lower part is lined with marble, and six of its pa compartments are decorated with pictures by La his son Guerre, representing the inhabitants of the different were nations of the world in appropriate oostome. On the ceiling is a representation by the same artist, of the victorious duke arrested in his career by Peace and of Time. The remaining principal subjects of admirathe war tion are the library, the theatre, the state drawing the disroom, the blue and green drawing-room, the grand cabinet, the dining-room, and the dre irg-room, a description of the contents of which, including pictures, statues, grand articles of vertu, and splendid furniture, would occupy a volume. In the diapel, whi^ forms one of the wings, is a fine marble monu* of ment by Rysbrack, to the great duke and his almost had for equidly celebrated duche , Sarah. The gardens and been grounds, which are exceedingly spacbus, were laii out by Brown, who contrived to make a most admirthe sum able use of the small river Glyme in the formation of family a lake, or piece of water, which is justly deemed one Vanof the greatest beauties of the place. It is cro ed where by several arches, and at the middle or grand apser> proach is a magnificent bridge, the span of the oentre arch of which is 101 feet.