Note 32 — RULE, BRITANNIA.

Cliefden House, originally erected for George Villiers, second Duke of Buckingham, was built of red brick with stone dressings, having at each end a square wing connected with the main building by a colonnade, and fronted by a magnificent terrace four hundred and forty feet long. The Duke expended large sums on the house and grounds; for the latter, consisting of about one hundred and thirty-six acres, he procured, regardless of cost, the choicest specimens of trees, shrubs and flowers, native and foreign, and so enhanced the natural beauties of the site that it was reputed to surpass all other estates in England. At the death of the Duke, Cliefden was purchased by Lord George Hamilton, afterwards Earl of Orkney; he died without male issue, and the property and title passed to his daughter. She leased the estate to the Prince of Wales, who regularly resided there until his death in 1751. The splendid mansion was destroyed by fire on the 20th of May, 1795, owing to the carelessness of a maidservant, who, whilst reading in bed, was startled by the curtains bursting into flame. With the exception of the wings, the building was entirely burnt, together with valuable furniture, tapestry and paintings. Sir George Warrender bought the estate and rebuilt the house in 1830. At his death it was sold to the Duke of Sutherland, and on the 15th of March, 1849, fire again destroyed the building, which was afterwards rebuilt from designs by Barry.