middle of the last century. In the novel, Ralph Allen, the liberal-minded proprietor of this estate, is supposed to have suggested the character of Allworthy, a name expressive of his benevolent disposition. He built this noble seat in the year 1743, upon land which had formerly belonged to the Priors of Bath, and whose grange, in the immediate neighbourhood, supplied venison for the Convent. Although the house stands below the summit of Combe Down, it is considered to be elevated four hundred feet above the city of Bath. The front of the edifice presents a line of building, of the Corinthian order, of nearly thirteen hundred feet in extent. Combe Down are those vast quarries of free-stone, striking objects of curiosity, whence the stone is brought down to the river side, for conveyance to different parts of the kingdom, by means of an inclined plane railway. More to the left of our view is Claverton Downs, commanding the most interesting views of the whole city and its beautiful environs.

On