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 *ling down of roofs and floors; the fine carvings on the stones being almost as sharp as when first chiselled centuries now ago. It would be interesting to learn where this splendid stone was quarried; it is manifestly magnificent building material. Architects might do worse than study this question. There is no doubt as to the designer of this stately mansion, for John Thorpe's plans of it are preserved in the Soane Museum, endorsed in his handwriting, "Kirby, whereof I layd the first stone, 1570."

We were now in Northamptonshire that, according to the proverb, has

More spires and more squires More bells and more wells

than any other county.