and in many respects eminently surpassed him. The other pictures of Vander Myn, as an historical portrait painter, are― A full length portrait of Wm. Leathes, Esq., when Minister at Bruxelles, attended by a faithful domestic, for the execution A Kit Cat representation of the same gentleman-Ditto. The other subjects of this rich assemblage of fine paintings are― Meleager and Atalanta, a genuine production of the master, although the finished appearance of the picture has induced some connoisseurs to pronounce differently-Rubens. Hot Cockles, in fine style and preservation-C. Dusart. Beggar Boys, a superior picture; recorded, in Evelyn's Memoirs, as the property of the Earl of Godolphin-Murillo, The Rest of the Virgin, a fine painting-Titian. Christ at the Gate of the Temple-Andrea Del Sarto. A Holy Family, an interesting specimen-School of Italy. St. John preaching in the Wilderness-Ditto. A Flying Magician-Ditto. A Sea Calm, the water exquisitely managed-Vandervelde. Charles I. on Horseback, the original sketch, from which the picture at Hampton Court was afterwards painted→→→ Vandyck. Head, very fine-De Koningh. Portrait of Henry VIII.-Holbein. A Landscape-Mompert-A beautiful picture, in his best style; the figures by Teniers. Gypsies, a singular painting, the accompaniments good-Michau. A Bath and Ruins-Panini. Sheep, excellent-H. W. Schweickhardt. E E An Ascensión, a very superior sketch, intended for an altar-piece. A Landscape Bereham. Portrait of George II. Portrait of Carteret Leathes, Esq. well executed-Old Vandermine. Fruit, very fine-M. Angelo Campidoglio. St. Stephen Stoned-J. S. Hueber. One of the Battles of the Duke of Marlborough, with a variety of Portraits-Verdussen. Confession, a Friar and Nun, rare, and well executed, in his conversation style-Michael Von Musscher. Peasants Drinking-Adrian Ostade. There are also some other pictures, by Hemskirk, Hondekoeter, Pater, and Van Gool. This is a very superior collection of paintings, which to be admired, needs only to be seen. Their tasteful arrangement throughout the mansion (which has been considerably enlarged by successive members of the family) and the improvements lately made, reflect the highest credit upon John Leathes, Esq. the present proprietor, who has succeeded in imparting to the interior of the house an air of comfort and elegance seldom excelled. The pleasure-grounds attached to this mansion, were designed by the late Rev. Norton Nichols, of Blundeston. They contain a very choice collection of ornamental flowers and trees, and are particularly rich in the varieties of thorns and hollies, and considering the nature of the ground, are certainly the most perfect and beautiful that ever were planned and executed upon so flat a surface. There is a curious old mansion in this parish, named Blocker Hall, highly deserving of notice. A lofty antique flight of steps leads to the door of the principal entrance, which, with the other parts of the building, convey a good idea of the domestic architecture of the Elizabethan period. The manor house, half castellated in its appearance, stands near the church, and was formerly surrounded by a moat, part of which now remains. Both these houses are the property of Mr. Leathes, and are occupied by tenants. Crossing the country from Herringfleet, we arrive at Corton, which is a mile northward of Lowestoft, situated upon a high cliff, commanding an extensive prospect of the ocean. This parish includes upwards of a thousand acres of cultivated land, prettily diversified with rising grounds, and interspersed with plantations. The street consists of forty or fifty dwelling-houses, tolerably compact, near the sea. The church stands nearly a quarter of a mile from the edge of the cliff, (which is fifty feet above the beach,) and is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, but now dilapidated, the chancel only being kept in repair. The side walls of the nave are standing, and with the porch are nearly overspread with ivy. A winding flight of stairs, which led to the rood loft, are still entire, and the architecture of the remaining parts of the edifice is bold, and exhibits traces of considerable elegance. The whole length of the building, including a very handsome tower, ninety feet in height, measures one hundred and twenty feet, and nearly thirty-two in breadth. The church was suffered to dilapidate more than a century since, when application was made to the diocesan for his license to permit it to continue so, and to maintain the chancel only for public worship, which he granted; but in a series of years, the latter also becoming decayed, in 1776, the Rev. Francis Bowness, then vicar, in compliance with the wishes of the parishioners, solicited permission of the bishop to sell the lead and other articles belonging to the church, and to expend the proceeds in the reparation of the building. After much opposition, his perseverance obtained from bishop Younge a power to dispose of the lead, and, if necessary, also, a large bell, suspended in the porch. The vicar availed himself of the former part of the license only, and the chancel was accordingly put into complete repair for the performance of divine service. The parish is a vicarage, and at this period, a lay impropriation; but before the dissolution of the monasteries, the impropriation appertained to the Premonstatensian Abbey of Leiston, in this county,* founded by Ranulph De Glanville, in 1183, and rebuilt by Sir Robert De Ufford, Earl of Suffolk, in 1363, dedicated to the mother of Jesus. The advowson formerly belonged to the impropriators; but through neglect, was suffered to lapse to the crown, in which it now remains. The impropriation, at the dissolution, 28th Henry VIII, was granted, with Leiston Abbey, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; and passing through various hands, became, in the last century, the property of the Ives's family, from whom it came to the present proprietor, Thomas Fowler, Esq. of Gunton. The vicar is the Rev. Richard Huck, This parish does not appear in the King's Books, temp. Henry VIII. but it is certified to have been worth £10. * Weever's fun, mon. |