| Description | Ross had not waited long on the station platform when he met Lord Arthur Hervey, with whom he travelled to Ickworth and he was astonished on approaching to find so much snow and the atmosphere so cold. He has commenced a sketch of an intended group of Lady Arthur and two of her children which may be one of his exhibition pictures for 1853. Ross thinks he shall return on Friday and will then take a journey during the summer months to finish this miniature.
Ickworth, the seat of the Marquis of Bristol (and father of Lord Arthur) is a fine place, consisting chiefly of a large circular building decorated with pilasters and friezes composed of classical subjects designed by the great Flaxman. The Hall also boasts of a collosal group on one block of marble by the same artist, which is admirable. The place altogether looks like a fine Italian villa and the garden abounds in tall cypresses.
Lord Arthur is a very excellent clergyman. He has a parsonage house situated not far fron the great house. Spring is coming and Ross hopes to break through the trammels of business for a week or so during the summer to take Maria and Magdalene to the country. Ross asks for them to write to him, but if this is too much, asks Adeline to do so. |