[!--Note--] 51 ([return])
In All Hallows, in Derby. After leaving Hardwicke, I went, of course, to pay my respects to it. It is a vast and gorgeous shrine of many coloured marbles, covered with painting, gilding, emblazonments, and inscriptions, within which the lady lies at full length in a golden ruff, and a most sumptuous farthingale.
[!--Note--] 52 ([return])
As the measurements are interesting from this fact, I took care to note them exactly; as follows:—length 55 ft. 6 inches; breadth 30 ft. 6 inches; height 24 ft. 6 inches.
[!--Note--] 53 ([return])
Horace Walpole, as an antiquarian, should have known that Mary was never kept there.
[!--Note--] 54 ([return])
It had formerly been richly painted, and must then have had an effect superior to tapestry; the colours are still visible here and there.
[!--Note--] 55 ([return])
Mary's own account of her occupations displays the natural elegance of her mind. "I asked her grace, since the weather did cut off all exercises abroad, how she passed her time within? She sayd that all day she wrought with her needle, and that the diversitie of the colours made the work appear less tedious, and that she continued at it till pain made her to give o'er: and with that laid her hand on her left side, and complayned of an old grief newly increased there. Upon this occasion she, the Scottish queen, with the agreeable and lively wit natural to her, entered into a pretty disputable comparison between carving, painting, and working with the needle, affirming painting, in her opinion, for the most commendable quality."—Letter of Nicholas White to Cecil.
[!--Note--] 56 ([return])
I was as much delighted by these singular fire-screens as Horace himself could have been; they are about seven feet high. The yellow velvet suspended from the bar is embossed with black velvet, and intermingled with embroidery of various colours and gold—something like a Persian carpet—but most dazzling and gorgeous in the effect. I believe there is nothing like them any where.
[!--Note--] 57 ([return])
Now replaced by the family portraits brought from Chatsworth.
[!--Note--] 58 ([return])
Margaret Cavendish, wife of the first Duke of Newcastle.
[!--Note--] 59 ([return])
Anecdotes of Painting. Reigns of Elizabeth and James I.
[!--Note--] 60 ([return])
Dante. Inferno, Canto 28.