This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1808. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... make the purchase, through which he was furnished with an elegant retreat, and enabled to pursue his studies unembarrassed by want, and free from those perplexing cares by which the operations of genius are too frequently retarded . Wilton Park, the elegant seat of Mr. Dnpr6, near Beaconsfield, formerly belonged to the family of Basil). It is built of Portland stone, in a beautiful situation, from the design of the late Mr. Jupp, surveyor to the East India Company, by the late governor Du Pr6, but finished by Mr. Du Pre's widow. Many of the fine pictures here were purchased from the celebrated collection of Mr. Purling. Denham, two miles from Uxbridge, belonged, in 1299, to the'abbott and convent of Westminster, and after the Dissolution was granted to the family of Pcckham; after the decease of Sir George Peckham, in 1586, it was seized for a debt to the crown. The manor, rectory, &c. were granted, in 1596, to William Bowyer, Esq. and purchased of his family by Sir Roger Hill, sheriff of the county in. 1673; by a female descent they became the property of the family of Way. The house is a large brick building, erected by Sir Roger Hill; the chapel fitted up with mantled wainscot and earring; the windows, ornamented with armorial bearings in stained glass. The library contains a curious representation in painting of the House of Commons, probably of that in 1679, in which Sir Roger was member for Amersham. Denham Court is the property of Sir George Bowyer, hart, son of the late gallant admiral Bowyer, created a baronet in 1794, during the life time of his elder brother, Sir William. Denham Durdants was the property of the family of Durdant, from the year 1259 till 1414, after which it belonged to the Savoy Hospital, and was given by Edward VT. to the citiz...