DA €en W35M3 UC-NRLF B M 070 362 jot (Oninr ©ip Miss Charlotte Evans V ATffRN#.UM EXCURSTOK WEDNESDAY, Uth JULY, 1849. GUIDE WE NT WORTH HOUSE AND PAEK. MANCHESTER: PRINTED BY ALEXANDER IRELANT? AND CO., DUCIE-PLACE, EXCHANGE, 1849. arrangemen'^s. The excursionists are required to be at the Victoria Railway Station, Hunt's Bank, at one quarter past Eight o'clock, as the train will start punctually at half-past Eight o'clock. Conveyances will be provided at the Masbro' Station by the master of the Prince of Wales Hotel and the Eailway Refreshment Rooms, at moderate rates, for those persons who require to ride the whole distance. The Committee wish it to be distinctly understood, that the excursionists are at full liberty to form themselves into pic-nic parties. To facilitate this arrangement, a carriage will be provided at Darfield Station to convey the baskets, &c., of the members to Wentworth, if properly labelled. Mr. Davidson, manager of the Athenseum Restaurant and Cafe, will be in attendance on the lawn in the " Milton Tent." A cold collation will be prepared for those who secure tickets by previous application at the Athenaeum. A supply of cold viands, ices, confectionary, refreshing beverages — as coffee, lemonade, &c., will be prepared for.general sale at moderate prices. A ladies' tent will also be provi(^d, under female superintendence. The members and their friends will pass into the house by the front en- trance in parties of about twenty-five persons; five minutes will elapse between each party; and the time occupied in going through the house will be little more than half-an hour. The route by Darfield is recommended, as being the nearest and the most beautiful approach to Wentworth House. The band will proceed via Darfield, occasionally enlivening the visitors as they pass through the woods and planta- tions. During the day the band will perform on the terrace, and immediately upon the performance of the national air at six o'clock p.m., the band and the visitors will require to quit the inner park, in order to arrive in sufficient time for the train. The train will return in the evening from Masbro' Station at seven o'clock punctually, calling at Darfield, at one quarter past seven o'clock. The train can only remain two or three minutes at Darfield to receive the pedestrian ex- cursionists. ATHENJIUM EXCURSION. W?>i?tl3 The Railway Route selected for the excursion to Weniworth, passes through the most luxuriant and picturesque portion of Yorkshire, embracing Blackstone Edge — the York and Lancaster Alps ; C alder Vale, Ellendale, and Dearaedale, as well as the towns of Rochdale, Todmor- den, Dewsbury, and Wakefield. That portion of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, known as the Manchester and Leeds, has been formed at an expense of three millions and a half, or £46,000 per mile ; the length from Manchester to Nor- manton being fifty-one miles. Middleton station is six miles, and Blue Pits nine miles from Manchester. About a mile faither on is Rochdale, so called fiom the river Roche, its never failing source of wealth. Littleborough station is sixteen miles from the great manufacturing metropolis of England ; and at the distance of another mile the deep cuttings give indi«ation of the approach to the Summit Tunnel. The original contract for this great work was let at £35 per yard, and on the failure of the first contractors, it was re-let at £43 per yard, but it has ultimately cost the company £280,000, or £97 per lineal yard. This tunnel is nearly two miles in length, and at its eastern extremity the line is 540 feet above the level of the sea, or 350 feet above the town of Manchester. Immediately after leaving the Summit, two smaller tunnels, Deanroyd and Wiuterbutlee, are entered. Approaching the station at Todmorden, the extensive works of the late John Fielden, Esq., M.P., are seen on the right of the line, and on the brow of a majestic hill beyond, is the Waterloo Obelisk. The vale of Todmorden, or the valley of the Fox mere, on the left, is a bold and picturesque dis- trict, abounding in legendary lore. On the viaduct beyond the station, is a stone, defining the boundary of the counties of Lancaster and York. Passing Eastwood station (21 miles) the Chaaiestown curves are ap- proached, of which due notice is given by the engine driver slackening his speed. The sum of £31,000 has been fruitlessly expended in an attempt to make a short tunnel at this point of the line, but in conse- quence of repeated landslips, the late eminent engineer, George Steven- son, was defeated. A large outlay has since been incurred, in altering the line to an open cutting. The beauties of the vale of Calder, now begin to disclose themselves, presenting some of the richest scenery in England; one view in particular, near Mytholmroyd station, is equal to the finest of the Highland glens. The line of railway being curved round the base of the lofty hills, which encircle Hebden Bridge, My- tholmroyd, Luddenden Foot, and Sowerby Bridge, a succession of beautiful scenery, varying in its character, is presented to the excur- sionist, for ten miles of the route. Sowerby Bridge, the birth-place of Archbishop Tillotson, is 28 miles from INIanchester, and Elland 32 nijles. The railway spans the river Calder, in several places between Elland and Mil-field, Three miles after leaving the latter station, the town of Dewsbury ('41 milesj is seen on the left of the railway. Here fi^S2^456 4 Kdwm, King of Nurlluuiibria, had a royal mansion, a.d, 627. Wakefield is AS miles IVuni Manchester; the, church, which is visible from the railway, is one of the finest in Englanil, and was given by William, Earl Warren, to God, Saint Pancras, and the Monks of Lewes, iu Sussexy it was consecrated a.d. 1329, by Wm. De Melton, Archbishop of York. Two miles from Wakefield, is the junction with the Midland railway, but the train will proceed onwards for three quarters of a mile, to Nor- manton station, in order to have the engine reversed. Oakenshaw station is three miles from Normanton, here the Wakefield and Goole railway passes under the Midland, The Chevet Tuiinel, beyond the Oakenshaw Station, is 600 yards in length, and was formed, in some degi'ee, at the expense of Sir William Pilkinglon, near to whose house it passes. A short distance beyond, the low ground is crossed by a viaduct of 1 10 yards in length, consisting of several arches, and by a long and high embankment. Here on the riglit will be seen Wooley Park, the seat of Godfrey Wentworth, Esq., and Roystone Church. At the end of the long embankment, and near to Cudworth Bridge, the village of Monk Bretton appears on the hill to the right. Cudworth Bridge Station, in the valley of the Dearne, is two miles below the town of Barnsley. The woods skirting the valley are very beautiful, and of considerable extent. New Park, Spring" Wood, on the left, is well known to fox hunters. The beautiful village of Dai-field may be seen on tlie hill to the right ; the village of Houghton on the left. On the slope of the hill below Darfield is Middlewood Hall, formerly the property of the Earl of Masborough. At Darfield Station most of thq visitors will alight; the few who may- prefer the longer walk, or to ride the entire distance, will pass on to Masbro'. Preceded by an excellent band, the excursionists will proceed en route for Wentworth. About half a mile from the Darfield Station, the road crosses the Dearne and Dove Canal. Farther on is the Bull's Head, a pleasant roadside inn, which afi'ords accommodation for large parties, and will be found convenient to those who desire to return sufficiently early to take tea. Here a road branches oflf, and, through a plantation to the left, leads to the North Park. Passing through the massive iron gates, the beauties of the place begin to disclose themselves. The park gradually becomes more woody, the trees on either side for tMo miles, form a natural screen from the summer sun and the winter storm ; the rabbits are in abundance, the wild rose and honeysuckle in luxuriance. By an easy ascent the visitor arrives at the Needle's Eye, an arabesque monument, surmounted with an earl's coronet — in the opening of which seats are provided for the pedestrian. On the right may aow be seen the monument of Hooberstan — a monument raised by the late Marquis of Rockingham in commemora- tion of the termination of the rebellion of 1745. This monument is ascended by 150 steps, and commands a most extensive view of the surrounding country; York Minster may be seen from Hooberstan on a clear day. Leaving Rainliam Park and crossing *the highway, the visitor arrives at the inner or Wentworth Park. On the right, the noble mansion of the Wentworths suddenly bursts into view. Spread over the lawn in front of the house may be seen peculiar breeds of the bison, and 5 innumerable red deer, grazing in small llocki.'. The btock oi" deer is* never less than nine hundred, but ihis number does not appear large^ owing to the great extent of the parks which are thirteen miles in cir- cumference. ROUTE BY MASBRO'. From the station at Masbro' to Wentwoilh there are two i-oads. The principal, chosen by those who secure a conveyance, passes through part of Rotherham ; on the right, is the church, a spacious and vener- able cruciform structure in the early style of English architecture, with a central tower and spire higlily eniiched ; the exterior of the entire edifice, it will be seen, is elaborately and tastefully sculptured. The route for .the pedestrian passes over the railway bridge to the left, thence to the right through Masbro' to the termination of the carriage road at Mr. Chambers' villa, by the side of which building a narrow pleasant lane is entered. Crossing a few fields of standing corn, the pedestrian passes Bassingthorpe farm, and proceeds onward until the path winds to the right, and gently descends the hill to the high road. Proceeding to the village of Greasboro' which is seen on the opposite side of the valley, the fine road leading to the park is entered. Here the beauties of Dearndale begin to display themselves. On the right will be seen the Mausoleum, ei'ected by the late Earl Fitzwiliiam in honour of his uncle, the Marquis of Rockingham. The height of this building is ninety feet, and it consists of three divisions. The first is a square Doric basement ; the second storey is ol the same form, but of the Ionic order ; each of its fuur sides opening into an arch, and dis- closing a beautiful sarcophagus standing dn the centre; on the frieze, is this inscription — "This monument was erected by We'Vitworth, Earl Fitzwiliiam, 1798, to the memory of Charles Marquis of Rockingham." This is surmounted by a cupola, supported by twelve columns of the same order. The basement storey is an apartment rising into a dome, supported by eight columns, encircling a white marble statue of the departed marquis in his robes, as large as life, by Nollekins. In the four recesses of this apartment are placed fine white marble busts of Edmund Burke, the Duke of Portland, Charles James Fox, Admiral Kepi^el, John Lee, and Lord George Cavendish. Proceeding onwards by a picturesque road which passes through the woods, Morley Lodge with its noble archway is reached. Here the inner park is entered by a carnage road Avhich rises to a slight elevation called Temple Hill. On arriving at a turn in the road by the woods, the princely mansion suddenly appears in view, at a distance of a quarter of a mile, Charles William Wentworth, the present Earl Fitzwiliiam, is descended from Sir William Fitzwiliiam, ambassador at the court of William, Duke of Normandy, and a marshal of the army which conquei'ed England in 1066. In 1620 the peerage of Ireland was conferred on the family, and in 1746 the title was advanced to an English viscounty and earldom. William, the third earl, married Lady Ann Wentworth, the eldest daugh- ter of Thomas, Marquis of Rockingham, from whence the name and estates of Wentworth are derived. The Marquis of Rockingham, it will he remembei'ed, was pi-ime minister of England in 1765 and 1766, and retired from power with his secretary, the eloquent Edmund Burke, after refusing, for himself and his assistant, the usual perquisites and emolu- ments of office. It has been long expected that the present Earl Fitz- wiliiam would be raised in the peerage to the marquisale of Rockingham, 6 which he represents by the female line ; but his course, as a politician, has been strictly independent of party or ministerial patronage. Although the sovereign authority has not entitled him to be called " most noble,'' he is by universal consent of queen, tenantry, and people, acknowledged as most virtuous, and most generous. Wentworth House was erected by the Marquis of Rockingham about the year 1730; it is situated between Bamsley and Rotherham, at the distance of four miles from the latter town, in the midst of a beautiful country, and iu the centre of a park that is one of the most exquisite spots in the kingdom. The mansion, for extent and magnificence, is not excelled: it consists of an irregular quadrangle, enclosing three courts, with two grand fronts ; the principal one to the park, which ex- tends in a line upwards of six hundred feet, forming a centre and two wings. Nothing in architecture can be finer than this fa9ade. A noble rusticated stylobate, sixty feet long, projecting twenty feet, supports six magnificent Corinthian columns, on pedestals, with a balustrade en- closing the area. These columns support an angular pediment, within which are the arms of the Marquis of Rockingham ; and, on the archi- trave, immediately above the columns, is that nobleman's motto, " Mea Glouia Fides,'' On the pediment are placed three elegant statues, and one at each angle of the principal front, with vases and balustrade. The wings are in a similar style of architecture, and the effect of the entire edifice is at once pleasing and magnificent. The interior is very superbly fitted up. The grand htill, or reception room, is GO feet square and 40 feet high, with a gallery 10 feet wide carried round the whole ; this is Hupported b}^ 18 fluted Ionic columns, the shafts of sienna, with the baSfes and capitals of pure white marble. In niches between the columns are marble statues of Antinous, Flora, Venus de Medicis, &c.; over these are medallions containing relievos from the designs of Athenian Stuart. The roof is supported by Corinthian pilasters connected by festoons, and the ceiling is executed in ornamental compartments. The floor is of white and yellow marble, corresponding in pattern to the ornamental ceiling. Some idea of the splendour of this hall may be gathered from the circumstance, that the floor and decorations have required the constant i)resence of workmen for the last three years, and they are still iinfinished. Adjoining the hall is the sculpture room, containing busts of the late carl. Lord Dundas, by Chantrey ; Lady Milton ; a figure of a heathen goddess, by Nolleldns ; statues of Venus, Minerva, Juno, and Diana, a centaur, Cupid and Psyche, and numerous beautiful specimens of sculpture. In the centre is placed a fine tripod, with the head of John the Baptist in relief. The chimney-piece, of white marble, with a frieze of mosaic work, is an object deserving attention. The dining room is a handsome apartment, the Avails and ceiling are of pale blue, with French white ornaments. It is adorned with the following pictures : — No. 37, Thomas, first Marquis of Rockingham, by Sir Godfrey Kneller ; No. 40, William, second Earl of Stratford, and his sisters, by Vandyke ; No. 38, Mrs. WentAvorth ; No. 39, Lady WentAVorth, the mother of the first Earl of Strafford, painted in 1606 ; and No. 41, Sir William Wentworth, the father of the Earl of Strafford; No, 36, Lady Proby; No. 43, Charles Wentworth, second and last Marquis of Rockingham, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. From the dining room three small libraries are entered ; in the prin- cipal is the celebrated painting by Vandyke, of Wentworth Earl of Strafford and his secretary. Several engravings having been taken of this masterpiece of the great artist, it has becouie familiar to the jiatrons of the fine arts. Here also will bti recognised some of the beauties of the court of the Second Charles, all painted by Sir Peter Lely, including, No. 48, Lady Anne Wentworth, afterwards Countess Fitzwilliam, and Lady Arabella Wentworth ; No. 49, the Duchess of Portsmouth ; and No. 50, the Duchess of Cleveland. In one of the smaller libraries there are some rare Indian ink prints of Charles James Fox, Grattan, and the grandfather of the first Earl of Strafford. In the ante-room are two paintings by Sir Joshua Reynolds, taken from the great window at Oxford, %iz.. No. 25, a Shepherd Boj ; No. 23, Sir Joshua Reynolds and Jervis, the glass staiuer, as shepherds. After passing through two smaller rooms, the visitor enters the pic- ture galleiy, which contains many of the chefs d^ceuvres of the best masters. The principal which may be noted are tln-ee paintings by Salvator Rosa, viz., No. 60, a portrait of Masaniello; 63, Tribute Money; and 61, 57, Tancred and Armena, by Vandyke ; 65, one by Teniers ; 62, the Italian Poets ; 72, one by Titian, and next to it a small painting by Raffaelle ; 73, Ruins of Rome, by Paniili; 76, a Landscape, by Claude ; 77, the Prophet Jeremiah, by King ; 79, the Offering of the Wise Men, by Rubens ; 80, a Bandit, by Hurlstone ; 95, Hemietta Mai-ia, Wife of Charles L, by Vandyke ; 67, Joseph and Potiphar's Wife ; 58, the Marchioness of Rockingham ; 85, James Stanley, seventh Earl of Derb}-; 84, Margaret Clifford, Countess of Derby ; 88, Lady Milton, the earl's fii-st wife ; 90, Caidinal Richeheu ; 91, Dr. Harvey. Leaving the picture gallery from a door near the centre of the room, a neat breakfast parlour is crossed to a small room in which some valuable old china is displayed, as well as a model of Rotherham Chm'ch. Adjoining is the bedroom of George the Fourth, with the massive state bed in wliich his Majesty slept. A full-length portrait of the king, painted by PhilHps, adorns one of the walls. The dressing room used by her Majesty when visiting Wentworth is next crossed ; the walls of this room are hung with silk, which has the appearance of glazed paper ; the design is neat and simple. The Marquis of Rockingham's dressing and bed rooms are in the same suite ; in the latter, there is a portrait of Lady Margery Went- worth, the daughter of the Earl of Strafford. The chapel is also adorned with rare and valuable paintings by the old masters, and some excellent copies of paintings by- Rubens. Samson slaying the Philistines is a valuable picture. The St.^artholomew,by Spagnoletto, and the Virgin, No. 125, and Christ, No.T26, by Caido Dolci, are splendid paintings. From the chapel the visitor next proceeds to the museum gallery, in which there are cabinets of fossils. The collection has been carefully arranged by the present noble owner of this princely mansion, as evinced by the descriptive labels in his lordship's hand^Titing. Among other articles the specimens of fossil ferns and the oolites ai-e exceed- ingly choice. The sample of asphalte that floats on the Dead Sea is deserving attention, and the superb antique cabinets in this apartment are perfect gems. The larger cabinet is veiy costly, the cornices and ornaments being of pure gold, and the workmanship correspondingly beautiful in finish, and elaborate in its details. The gilt drawing room is a beautiful apartment, chaste and elegant both in its proportions and Lleoorations. The furniture is richlj' gilt, especially the couches of blue velvet and burnished gold. The chimney- piece is of spotless white marble. Three beautiful paintings adorn this apartment. 1st. The celebrated portrait of the late Earl Fitzwilliara, by Sir Thomas Lawrence, in the unfinished state in which it was left by the death of this distinguished painter; 2nd. Whistle Jacket, a favourite horse, painted by Stubbs, the size of life ; and 3rd. a portrait of the present Earl Fitzwilliam when four years of age, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Adjoining the gilt drawing-room is the Vandyke room, which is un- questionably a most chaste and elegant apartment. The ceiling and walls of dead white, elaborately carved and neatly fringed with burnished gold, in rich contrast with the sombre portraits of the great and the beautiful, cannot fail to inspire the contemplative visitor with placid ad- miration. The chief paintings are: — No, 11. Henrietta Maria, queen of Charles I. and daughter of Mary de Medicis, by Vandyke. Archbishop Laud, by the same artist. No. 4, Charles IT., by Sir Peter Lely. No. 7, William Stanley, second Earl of Stafford; No. 8, his wife, both by Sir Peter Lely. No. 9, Charles L, by Janssen. No. 16, Catherine of Bi'a- ganza, qiieen of Charles II., by Sir Peter Lely. No. 5, The first Earl of Stafford. No. 13, Lord Baltimore. No. 22, The Earl of Cumber- land. In the ante-room are beautiful models of the church baptistra and leaning tower of Pisa, with several choice paintings by Sir Joshua Rej^iolds, Sir Peter Lely, and others. No. 18, The Infant Hercules, is by Sir Joshua Reynolds ; and Nos. 23 and 25, by the same artist. No. 17, Prince Rupert, by Sir Pete? Lely; and No. 24, William Duke of Cumberland, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. In this room are four choice paintings which, from their great value and merit, demand particular attention. They are — No. J 9, A Sleeping Ciqnd, by Guide. No. 27, Tribute Money, by Paul Veronese. No. 31, A Magdalen, by Titian ; and No. 34, Christ crowned with thorns, by Annibal Caracci. No 29, A woman and parrot, is by the celebrated Flemish painter Jordaens. No. 32, George the Second, is by Shackleton. Several portraits of the Stanley family also adorn this apartment. The lower room, under the great hall, is called the pillared hall ;- in it are the horns of an immense elk, from his lordship's estate in Ireland, a splendid vase, and several fine pieces of sculpture. The ornamental pleasure grounds, at the back of the mansion, are of great extent ; seats and statuary are placed in the most favoured spots for obtaining a view of the park and adji|pent country. The green- houses, pinery, and collection of exotic plants, are varied and interesting. The aviary of foreign birds and the menagerie should be visited. From out of the bosom of a majestic wood, two miles south of the house, a graceful Doric column rears its head; it was erected by the Mai-quis of Rockingham, to commemorate the acquittal of his friend. Admiral Keppel. The Committee feel assured they do hut express the seiitiinents of the Directors and Members in stating their lively sense of Earl Fitzwilliam' s kindness in afford- ing them this pleasing opportunity of visiting Wentwotth. A. IRELAND AND CO., PRINTERS, DUCIE PLACE, MANCHESTER. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. I Manufacturers Syracuse, N. Y. Stockton, Calif. . BERKELEY LIBRARIES CDSimDbMM S^266456 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY