The Stately Homes of England

by Llewellynn Frederick William Jewitt; S. C. Hall

The Grand Staircase.

The Grand Staircase, of which we give an engraving, is a marked feature of the interior of the house, and differs in general character from any other with which we are acquainted. It is of four landings, and at each angle, as well as in the intermediate spaces, standing clear to a considerable height above the banisters, rises a Corinthian pillar with richly carved capital, supporting a ball. The whole is of dark oak, and has a rich and singular appearance. The series of these pillars and balls numbers thirteen. The Staircase has a panelled oak ceiling, which forms the floor of the upper gallery, from which the bed-rooms are gained. The walls of the Staircase are hung with fine old portraits, and others of more modern date: among them are the “Du^sse Dou^e de la Tremouille, née Princesse d’Orange,” 1626; General Monk; Master Herbert and Miss Cecilia Pakington; and the late Bishop Murray, of Rochester, full length, by Falconer. At the foot of the Staircase is the Baron Marochetti’s admirable bust of Lord Hampton, before that well-deserved title was conferred upon him. It bears the following inscription:—“Presented to Lady Pakington by the Medical Officers of the Royal Navy, in grateful acknowledgment of the benefits conferred upon that department of H.M. service during the administration of the Right Hon. Sir John S. Pakington, Bart., G.C.B., &c., 1858-9.”

The Saloon.

From the landing at the head of the Grand Staircase access is gained, on the one hand, to the Saloon and the apartments connected with it; and, on the other, to Lady Hampton’s private rooms, the sleeping apartments on the same floor, and to the staircase to the upper story.

The Private Chapel, approached from the foot of the Staircase, occupies the wing at the opposite angle from the Library. Its ceiling is of oak, and it is fitted with open seats, also of oak, with fleur-de-lis poppy-heads. The stained-glass window, representing the Adoration and the Ascension, is remarkably good in design and pure in colouring. On a bracket on the wall is a splendid piece of sculpture, representing Mary Magdalene supporting the dead Christ.

The Saloon—the principal internal feature of Westwood—occupies the entire space, in the central block of building, over the Front Hall. It is a noble and lofty apartment, lit by two deeply recessed large mullioned and transomed windows to the front, and one, of equally large size, at each end. The ceiling, although of a somewhat later period, is a marvellously fine example of modelled plaster-work, the wreaths and festoons of flowers standing out clear from the surface, and modelled true to Nature. It is divided into ornamental panels, enclosing wreaths and festoons, and round the room is a boldly moulded and richly decorated oak frieze. In the centre of the side opposite the windows is a massive and elaborately designed oak chimney-piece, reaching up to the ceiling. The pillars, and mouldings, and panels, and, indeed, every part of this fine example of ancient Art, are elaborately carved with arabesques and foliage; the mouldings and cornices being likewise richly carved with grotesque figures and other characteristic ornaments. In the centre panel, over the fire-place, is a fine contemporary half-length portrait of King Henry VIII.

The walls are hung with grand old tapestry, and this, at three of the corners, conceals the doors leading respectively to the Drawing-room, the Staircase, and another apartment. The subjects of the tapestry, commencing at the doorway from the Staircase, are—First, “Isaac, blind; Rebecca sends Jacob for two kids.” Second, “Laban overtakes Jacob at Mount Gilead; kisses his daughter.” Third, “Jacob kisses Rachel at the well, and removes the stone from its mouth.” Fourth, “Jacob brings home the kids.” Fifth, “Jacob meets his brother Esau, and bows at his feet.” Sixth, “Jacob divides his flocks.”

The Drawing-room opens from the Saloon, and is over the Library: it is an elegant room, with a ceiling of moulded pargetting in scrolls and foliage, and is of great elegance in all its appointments. At the opposite end of the Saloon a doorway opens into an apartment over the Dining-room. It is now disused, but, with its panelled frescoed walls and beautifully decorated ceiling, is an apartment of much interest.

The remainder of the rooms of this grand old mansion do not require special notice; it is enough to say they are all full of interest, and that they contain many pictures of value.