Pennance, [128].
Penruddock, J. H. Esq. [137]. (see [Compton House])
Pepper Harrow House, [27], the seat of Lord Viscount Middleton, stands in a beautiful park, through which runs the river Wey. The grounds, which are finely wooded, have been considerably enlarged and improved by its present noble possessor, who finished the mansion began by the late Lord, who died in 1765. It stands on a bank sloping to the river, sheltered on the north and east by elevated grounds, crowned with luxuriant plantations. The apartments are elegantly fitted up, and enriched with a valuable collection of pictures. The library contains a choice assemblage of the best authors. The conservatory is to the west of the house, fronting the south, near the bank which overlooks the river. The offices are most judiciously concealed by plantations.
Pepys, Sir Lucas, [63]. (see [Juniper Hill])
Peters, H. Esq. [63]. (see [Beechworth Castle])
Petworth Park, [38], the magnificent seat of the Earl of Egremont. The mansion stands close to the town of Petworth, the back front opening into the church-yard. It was erected on the site of the ancient house by the Duke of Somerset. The front of free stone, adorned with statues on the top, is singularly handsome, forming an uniform range, having twenty-one windows in each story. The interior arrangements are remarkable for magnificence and elegance, all the principal apartments being decorated with paintings, antique statues, and busts, many of which are of first-rate excellence.
The park is very extensive, the wall being upwards of twelve miles in circumference. In the front of the mansion is a sheet of water, formed with the springs collected from the neighbouring hills, from which, by a simple and ingenious contrivance, every part of the building is abundantly supplied, as well as the whole town of Petworth, with excellent water; this improvement was effected at an expense of £30,000. In case of fire, from the arrangement made in the mansion, an immediate and plentiful supply of water can be obtained, which, without the assistance of engines, may be thrown in profusion on any part of the building; and the Earl’s domestics occasionally practice throwing the water, in order to be expert in case of necessity. This park commands views picturesquely varied, extensive, and delightful, both in home scenery, and on the beautiful Downs of Sussex and Surrey; and it is also well stocked with game.
This noble seat is a beautiful specimen of those which combine the elegant with the useful; great improvements having been made therein, particularly that of enclosing the present deer park, which previously was an entire forest scene, overspread with bushes, furze, some timber, &c. Every part of the park has been drained in the most effectual manner, and the whole of it inclosed and divided into proper fields. It is thoroughly well stocked with Sussex, Devon, and Herefordshire cattle, and flocks of the South Down, Spanish, Leicester, and Romney breeds. Besides which, his lordship has imported the Calmuck and Astrakan breed, whose chief peculiarity is, that, instead of a tail, they have a large projection of fat, like marrow, of exquisite delicacy. His lordship has also the shawl goat of Thibet, from the fleece of which those beautiful manufactures of the east are fabricated.
Pickering, —— Esq. [92]. (see [Fox Lease])
Pickwick Lodge, [186].