The great entrance hall was 40 ft. long, and 20 ft. wide; on a table stood an antique juvenile bust of Bacchus, which was much admired.
The grand staircase was of noble proportions, and was ornamented with a variety of objects of taste, disposed in glass cases, consisting of specimens of all the articles of domestic use among the ancient Romans. Here likewise stood a sepulchral Roman vase of white marble, ornamented with rams’ heads and elegant festoons of white flowers, with the following inscription:—
Semproniæ Elegantiorib. choreis Psallendoq; Præstantis Suæ viridis in medio juventæ E. Vivis Per crudelia fata direptæ Sodaliu. Sibi. Choors. Dilecta D.O.M. Moer. M.P.
In bloom of youth, midst sweet companions dwelling, With elegant and tuneful arts excelling, Fate did Sempronia suddenly remove: Submissive to the wise behests of Heaven, Those lov’d companions (full of hope) have given To her this token of their loss and love.
Near the preceding was a plaster cast of Dr. Burney, author of the History of Music, taken from the original bust by Nollekens. The three drawing-rooms were of the same dimensions as the hall; the first was ornamented with several mosaic and fresco paintings from Herculaneum, and other works of ancient arts. In the next apartments were portraits of Bishop North, and his lady. Along the gallery which led to the garden were disposed, in glass cases, a rich variety of beautiful shells, with spars and ores, and a large collection of Italian marbles. The house was also adorned with many specimens of modern art, in modelling and painting, executed by Miss North, the Hon. Mr. Brownlow North, and by others of his lordship’s family.
Winchester House was well and expensively supplied with water, conveyed by pipes from a conduit, built by Henry VIII., situated in the King’s forcing grounds at Kensington.
Upon pulling down the palace a singular discovery was made. In a small room, to the north front, and at the north-west corner, were found on the plaster of the walls, nine figures of the size of life, viz., three men and six women, drawn in outline with black chalk in a bold and animated style. Various opinions have been given respecting these spirited sketches. They displayed much of the _manner_ of Hogarth, who lived on intimate terms with Bishop Hoadly, and it was supposed that these figures applied to some domestic incident in the bishop’s family, or to some scene in a play. His lordship’s partiality for the drama was great. A near relative, who resided in Chelsea, wrote the comedy of “The Suspicious Husband.”