Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 11.djvu/454

432  1em 1em 1em 1em  HAMPSTEAD, a suburb of London, is situated in the county of Middlesex, on the slope of Hampstead Ifill, 4 miles N.W. of the city. The village is irregu- larly built, and the streets are narrow and _ tortuous, but it has preserved more than any other London suburb its sylvan appearance, and is still noted for its fine groves and avenues. From the side of the hill there issue chalybeate springs, whose virtue was first dis- covered in the, and which at the beginning of last century rivalled those of Tunbridge Wells and Epsom in popularity. Their reputation, however, gradually declined after the middle of the century, and now the supply of mineral water has been greatly diminished by the cutting of deep drains and of railway tunnels. Hamp- stead Heath, an irregular sandy tract occupying the summit and northern slope of the hill, and extending to 240 acres, is much frequented by excursionists and picnic parties. The hill is the highest in the vicinity of the metropolis, being 443 feet above the level of the Thames, or 36 feet higher than the cross of St Paul’s. At one time the village was a favourite resort of poets and other men of letters; and among the more famous of its old taverns was the Flask Inn, now converted into a private residence, the meeting place of the Kit-Cat club, of which the more celebrated members were Addison, Steele, Richardson, Marlborough, and Walpole. The parish church of St Jokn, consecrated in 1747 and enlarged in 1844, is a plain brick structure in the Italian style with a picturesque tower. The graveyard contains a number of monuments of eminent persons, including those of Sir James Mackintosh, Joanna Baillie, and Constable the artist. Near the village a large militia barracks was erected in 1863, and there are a number of charitable institutions, including a soldiers’ daughters’ home, a sailors’ daughters’ home, an orphan working school, and the North London Consumptive Hospital. The population of the parish in 1871 was 32,281.  HAMPTON, a village in the county of Middlescx, England, is situated on the north bank of the Thames, 12 miles W.S.W. from Hyde Park Corner. The parish church erected in 1830, with a square tower at its western end, is without architectural merit, but the churchyard contains a number of interesting old monuments. Among the many fine residences in the vicinity is Garrick Villa, formerly, under the name of Hampton House, the residence of Garrick the famous actor. In the neighbourhood there area number of large pumping works for supplying London with water. The free grammar school founded in 1556 was reopened in 1878 as a middle-class school, for which the usual fees are charged. The population of the village in 1871 was 2207. About a mile from Hampton village and close to the river stands Hampton Court Palace, one of the finest extant specimens of the Tudor style of architecture, and formerly a royal residence. It was originally erected Ly Cardinal Wolsey, who in received a lease of the old mansion and grounds for 99 years. As the splendour of the building seemed to awaken the cupidity of Henry VILL, Wolsey in thought it prudent to make him a present of it. It became Henry’s favourite residence, and he made several additions to the building, including the great hall and chapel in the Gothic style. Of the original five quadrangles only two now remain, but a third was erected by Sir Christopher Wren for William IIT. The fine gardens, extending to 44 acres, were laid out at the desire of William III. in the Dutch style, with elevated terrac2s, long shady walks, and a labyrinth called the “‘ Maze,” which is the source of great amusement to visitors. Bushy Park, opposite the palace gardens, is open to the public, and contains a celcbrated avenue of chestnut trees. The palace was sold by the parliament in 1641, but afterwards came into the hands of Cromwell ; and it continued to be one of the principal residences of the English sovereigns until the time of George II. It was the birthplace of Edward VI., and the meeting-place of the conference held in the reign of James I. to settle the dispute between the Presbyterians and the state clergy. It is now partly occupied by persons of rank in reduced circumstances ; but its state apartments, picture gallery, and gardens are open to the public free of charge. The celebrated cartoons of Raphael which it formerly possessed have lately been removed to the South Kensington