THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.

VOL. XIV, No. 397.] SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1829. [PRICE 2d.

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Burleigh, Northamptonshire.

[Illustration]

The above is a view of the grand screen and entrance lodges to Burleigh,
or Burghley, the seat of the Cecil family, and now the property of the
Marquess of Exeter. The house and principal part of the demesne, are
within the parish of Stamford St. Martin, in the church of which are
some costly monuments to several eminent persons of the Cecil family;
and this estate gave title to William Cecil, Baron Burleigh, in 1570.
The park was formed, and the mansion, which is one of the most splendid
in the kingdom, was mostly built by the great Lord Treasurer, in the
time of Queen Elizabeth, and the following inscription, over one of the
entrances, within a central court, records the era of this work:--"W.
DOM. DE BVRGHLEY, 1577." Beneath the turret is the date of 1585, when
some grand additions were made to the mansion; and the above Grand
Entrance, towards the north, appears to have been added in 1587. Since
these dates, several material alterations and additions have been made
by subsequent possessors; and the whole, as a building, with its vast
and varied collection of works of art, is one of the most magnificent
show-houses in England. The spacious and finely wooded park and large
lake are also very fine. The house surrounds a square court, to the east