lxxxiv Journal of Proceedings.
stands, with Hatfield House, pre-eminent among the magnificent, half
Italian, half Gothic, mansions of the period in this country. Mrs.
Armytage says :—
"With the classic river Cam running through the grounds, and
judiciously widened till it seems a lake of some extent, we stand on the
bridge and scan the noble pile of buildings before us, with its facade so
rich in quaint fantastic device of the architect's fancy, and the exquisite
design and proportions of the massive porch on the western front ; and
we must agree with good John Evelyn's opinion, who, in 1654, writes :
'Went to Audley End and spent some time in seeing that goodly palace—
it is a mixt fabric, 'twixt ancient and modern, but observable for its
being completely finished, and it is one of the stateliest palaces in the
kingdom. It consists of two courts, the first very large, winged with
cloisters.......The gallery is the most cheerful, and, I think, one of
the best in England ; a faire dining-room ; and the rest of the lodgings
answerable with a pretty chapel—for the rest it is pretty uniform, and
shows without like a diadem by the decorations of the cupolas and other
ornaments on the pavilions.' The visitor now can but endorse this
opinion, and what remains no doubt stands in all the beauty of the
original design, while the taste and care bestowed on the grounds and
estate have but enhanced its natural charms."
Another celebrated diarist, Pepys, was here on February 27th, 1659-
60 ; but appears to have been most struck with the cellars, in which he
declares, " we drank most admirable drink, a health to the king."
Eight years later, in October 1667, he went into the cellars again, and
" drank of much good liquor. And, indeed, the cellars are fine, and here
my wife and 1 did sing, to my great content. And then to the garden,
and there did eat many grapes, and took some with us; and so away
thence, well satisfied."
[It would be useless to attempt here any description of this grand
house and its contained art treasures. Lord Braybrooke's ' History of
Audley End and Saffron Walden, 1836,' gives the fullest account, but is
rather a scarce book. There is a good sketch of its history in Cassell's
' Our Own Country,' and the Hon. Mrs. Armytage has given, in
'Tinsleys' Magazine,' for February, 1888, an interesting account of
some of the former inmates of the mansion, and, of course, the various
histories of Essex will afford much information.]
Under the guidance of Mr. W. S. Hosley (Land-Steward to Lord
Braybrooke) the party inspected the Mansion, including the Great Hall,
Saloon, Libraries, Picture Gallery, Chapel, State-room, and the Museum
of Roman and Saxon Antiquities, containing relics from many Tumuli in
the neighbourhood, and from Chesterford, Hildersham and Hadstock.
This museum was formed by the late Lord Braybrooke, and many of the
specimens will be found described, with details of their discovery, in his
books, ' Antiqua Explorata ' and ' Sepulchra Exposita.' The Park and
the aviary were visited, and there the magnificent golden pheasants
attracted much attention. The ancient encampment in the park was also
inspected. This is a large circular entrenchment enclosing many acres