January 14, 1899.
THE ESTATES GAZETTE,
62
true fact (and it is a fact which, might be worth investigation! by those who are at the present time engaged in the study of the reasons and causes of the determination of sex), that the undoubted tendency of aristocratic families is to become extinct or end in heiresses. The usual supposition is that most families go up and down! in a kind of switchback see-saw, and that the disappearance of a family simply means that it has sunk in the social scale beyond ready recognition. It cannot be denied that such cases have occurred, but they are not the rule ; they are rare exceptions. The usual, the almost universal event, is that a family rises, intermarries with patrician blood, and in a few generations ends in an heiress or becomes extinct.
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There is no legitimate male descendant of any King of England who sat on the throne before the reign of George I. Of the 25 barons who set their hands to Magna Charts, not a single male descendant remains. There is not a single English barony by Writ now held by a male of the family in which it was originally created. There are only about 300 noble or gentle families now holding the same land in male succession which their male ancestors held even so recently as the reign of King Henry VII. There are many causes which have operated to this end, but the chief cause is that lamentable tendency of well-born families to terminate in the persons of females. When a family has been associated with certain lands for several centuries, and where the name and lands have been inseparably joined and interwoven for so long, where the same blood (even though in or through a female) still remains, it is but natural that there should be a desire to keep the estate and the surname together. And in these cases, as there has been no sale of the lands to an alien race, from time immemorial from this cause there have been these changes of surname. There is scarcely an English pedigree without such a break.
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It is doubtful if there are 50 authentic male pedigrees to-day in England which can be taken back to the Conquest. Thus the necessity of changing one’s name argued a connection with and descent from an ancient family, ergo, it was an aristocratic thing to change one’s name or take a double name. After that, of course, came the deluge of changes. At a much later date came the class who, with no inherited obligation to do so, were glad enough to perpetuate by a change of surname, or bv the adoption of a double surname, the fact of their descent in the female line from an ancient house. At a still later date, probably within the last 50 years, has arisen yet another class, a typical product of the days we live in, who, for mere purposes of distinction—one might say from the necessity of distinction—have been glad to seize any plausible excuse to either make a complete change, or more often to hyphen on some other name, in the hope that the combination will be more or less distinctive.
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The thriving town of Hawick is situated in that picturesque portion of the Scottish Border made familiar to the many by the graphic pen of Sir Walter 'Scott, whose beautiful domain of Abbotsford is indeed not far distant therefrom.
A little to the south of Hawick is Branxholme Tower, the principal scene of Scott’s “ Lay of the Last Minstrel,” and an early residence of the Barons of Buccleuch. Within a distance of three miles from the town is also׳ situate the fine residential estate of Hassendeanburn, which extends to about 1,149.468 acres, and! is to be offered to auction within the Exchange Small Hall, Hawick, on Thursday next, the 19th inst. The mansion house, which was rebuilt in 1878, in Scotch baronial style of architecture, at a cost of about £24,000, is one of the most commodious and palatial domains in Teviotdale. Standing about 300ft. above sea level, it is surrounded by well-wooded grounds on the north bank of the river Teviot, and has a fine southern exposure. The house accommodation comprises over 30 apartments and conveniences, whilst in the garden there are conservatory, vinery, fernery, etc. Sport of every kind is available, for the Duke of Buecleuch’s and Jed-Forest foxhounds hunt the district, and the game on the estate comprises pheasants, partridges, hares, and rabbits. It appears that■ the assessed rental as per valuation roll is £1,229, but as the mansion-house is in the proprietor’s own occupation, and two of the farms attached to the property are under-rented, the actual annual value of the subjects is considerably more. The offer of Hassendeanburn to auction provides an excellent opportunity for acquiring a first-class residential property in a very picturesque district.
The town house, Ko. 3, Queen’s-gate-gardens, South Kensington, is to be submitted to auction by Messrs. Curtis and Henson, at the London Mart, on January 26. The house contains every necessary accommodation for a gentleman’s family, and is pleasantly situated, having also the advantage of direct access to the private gardens in the rear.
pen for the parish clerk, wheezy old organ, and a prevailing odour of dust and dead citizen,” were some of the characteristics of Holy Trinity. Strange as it may appear, this church excited the ire of the Kensitites of 50 years ago, who created riots, only second to those at St. George’s-in-the-East, because the then rector had the church cleaned and caused the Psalms to be sung instead of said. The Rev. Dr. Kinns, the last rector of this historic church, is well known as a theologian and historian, and retires on a’ pension for the purpose of devoting the closing years of his life to his favourite studies.
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The town of Lambourn, which is delightfully situated in that most charming part of Berkshire over which extend the famous downs, is an interesting little place dating from a■ remote period and containing in its vicinity many remarkable antiquities. The׳ White Horse and the historic “ Blowing ” stone are two of these, whilst Wayland Smith’s cave, not far distant, is another. To-day Lambourn and its neighbourhood are chiefly remarkable as being ■one of the great centres for training racehorses, for which purpose the extensive downs are admirably suited. One of the well-known training establishments, at Upper Lambourn, is to be offered to auction at the Queen’s Hotel, Newbury, on January 17, by Messrs. Dreweatt and Watson. The property forms a nice, compact establishment, and comprises a comfortable residence known as Ronehurst, with gardens and grounds, boxes and stalls for 20 horses, and other stable accommodation, including men’s living rooms. The little estate is well situated, being only one and a half miles from Lambourn station, by which the principal towns in the south of England can be easily reached, and the hunting fixtures in that country attended, whilst every facility for the enjoyment of the chase is offered by the country around Lambourn.
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The old City church of St, Michael, Bassi-shaw, is being demolished to make way for improvements, and in the course of the work of removing the bodies from under the flooring, the workmen made an interesting discovery by opening up the entrance to the vault of Sir John Gresham, who, it appears from an inscription on the door, which is confirmed by a record in the old register of the parish, was buried on October 30, 1556, or at least 100 years before the erection of the present church. The vault itself lies under the paving surrounding the church, but !tt present it has not been opened pending the decision of the relatives as to what is to be done with the remains. It is probable that arrangements will be made for a reinterment. Failing this, the Mercer’s Company, of which Sir John was a member, may take action in the matter rather than allow! the body to be dealt with in the general scheme of clearance. Sir John, it may be added, was the brother of Sir Richard Gresham, who was buried in the church of St. Lawrence Jewry. In making.the excavations the arches of what appear to be the crypt of the original church have also been brought to light, together with numbers of remains, found right down in the virgin soil below the foundation, or at a depth of from 15ft. to 20ft. below the surface.
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There is a general impression that the forthcoming season isi likely to be a busy one in the shape of real property sales, this view being probably based upon the satisfactory character of the business during the latter part of the past year, when the demand for investments of this character was frequently in excess of the supply, particularly in regard to the smaller class of properties. An aspect of reality seems to be given to this impression by the announcement of sales of ground rents to an unusually large extent for this time of the year by various well-known firms. We notice, for instance, that Messrs. Debenham, Tew'son, Farmer and Bridgewater are submitting to auction, at the London Mart, on January 17 and February 21, ground rents amounting in the aggregate to nearly £5,000, in small lots. The first batch are secured on property in Old Kent-road, S.E., whilst those to be offered on the latter date comprise 60 lots of freehold rents upon houses and shops in Hornsey and Crouch-end, N., 12 lots secured upon premises at Holloway, N., 16 lots on the Raleigh Estate, "Brixton-hill, S.W., and six lots charged upon dwelling houses at Teddington.
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Considerable interest	is	attached	to	an
article in a recent number of the “ Genealogical Magazine, “ On the Law Concerning Names and Changes of Name.” The author says: One of the fashions of modern times, which at first sight it seems difficult to account for, is that particular weakness which causes an endless number of people to change their surnames. But a little thought will	give the clue	to	the
rapidly-increasing army who	go through	the
world labelled in a form differing from the original advertisement of their known male ancestors. It is a strange, but nevertheless a
picturesque object. It contains one or two interesting monuments and memorials, some of which date from early in the 17th century.
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Writing on the subject of certain proposed alterations at Carisbrooke Castle, Mr. Percy G. Stone says, in the■ columns of a provincial contemporary : —“ There is no intention of removing the gates or replacing them. Tfiey	will	hang where they always
have	hung, since Anthony	Widevilie
placed them in position in tne reign of Edward IV. As a dutiful antiquary I would resist any removal to the utmost. But as 1 reported some years back, these interesting specimens of early carpentry are being greatly weakened by the continual opening. 11 used much longer they will fall to pieces. To restore them would be a blunder—all their character would be destroyed. I have advised, and the Battenberg Committee have unanimously agreed, that they should be left just as they are, merely opened back against the wall out of the way and the weather, and that entirely new oaken gates should be put in at the outer archway, as gates of some sort are absolutely necessary in the draughty passage under the Gate House.
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“ The pathway to the Castle gate will be no more ‘private’ in the future than it is in the present, and will be as free and open to the public as any other part of the Castle grounds. Furthermore, I think I may add on undisput-abie authority that no ‘ lodge ’ will be built outside the ■Castle precincts. The proper ‘ entrance ’ to the Castle is, and always has been, through the Elizabethan gate in the outer defences, which had on the right hand its proper ‘ Guard House ’—still existing, though unroofed. This is■ the only ‘ lodge ’ I have ever heard suggested as a convenient place for the Castle attendant, who at present is hampered with payments, guide books, and the opening of the gate—all at one and the same time.”
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No suburban district of the metropolis possesses a greater interest, biographical as well as topographical, than the ancient locality of Chelsea. Its claims to our attention have of late years been largely increased by the erection in various parts of its neighbourhood of magnificent and artistic residences, many of which have been built to conform with the architectural features of the old edifices still existing. These remarks are suggested by the announcement of the sale by Messrs. Trollope, at the Mart, on the 19th instant, of the exceptionally attractive corner mansion known as Stuart House, No. 84, Cadogan-square. The house was designed by the eminent architects, Messrs. Hunt and Steward (under whose supervision the structure and elaborate finishings were carried out), and is a combination of the charming styles of the Tudor and Stuart periods, ־with all the comforts of a modern-built town residence. The rooms throughout are exceptionally handsome and beautifully decorated. Included in the sale will be the capital ■stabling adjoining the mansion, known as No. 1, Clabon-mews. A word of praise is due for the artistic printing and get-up of the particulars of sale, as well as for the accompanying !dans, photos, etc.
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The church of Holy Trinity, Minories, after being devoted to Divine service for a period of more than 600 years, is henceforth closed, the parish being amalgamated with that of St. Botolph, Aldgate. Holy Trinity was originally the parish church of the precinct ■of the nunnery of the Sorores Minories (Sisters of St. Clare), hence the name Minories by which the district is now known. Edward VI. gave the priory buildings to the Duke of Suffolk, father-in-law of the Lady Jane Grey, and the head of the unfortunate nobleman has been preserved in a box in the vestry, bearing the marks of its impalement as that■ of a traitor on London-bridge, which was the place for these ghastly exhibitions before Temple-bar gained the unenviable notoriety of the 17th and 18th centuries. “ Fleet marriages,” according to Timbs, “originated with the incumbents of Trinity, Minories, and ■St. James’s, Duke’s-nlace, who claimed to be exempt■ from the jurisdiction of the Bishop ol London, and performed marriages without■ banm or license, till Elliott, rector of St. James’s, was suspended in 1616, when the trade war taken up by clerical prisoners living within the Rules of the Fleet, who, having neither money, character, nor liberty to lose, were just the men to adopt such a. traffic.”
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Holy Trinity was one of the few Gothic churches which escaped the Great Fire of London, but. this did not save it from the zeal of the 18th century church restorers, who pulled down the ancient church and erected the monstrosity wrhich is now to vanish in its stead. The church is a perfect example of the neglected City church painted by Charles Dickens, and an object lesson of wdiat many churches were like before the days of the Oxford Movement. High pews, rickety pulpit, reading desk, and
Stotts bg tbe Mag.
The sale of the Sheffield Electric Light and Power Company to the Sheffield Corporation has just been completed on the basis of £220 in 22־ per cent, stock for £100 properly expended by the company. By agreement the company are taking the purchase money in cash at £213 8s. per £100. This will allow of a distribution to the shareholders at the rate of nearly £18 for every £7 share.
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The people of Scarborough are protesting loudly against a proposal of the Corporation to abolish the names of Eastborough, N ewborough and Westborough, which designate the principal thoroughfare leading from the Foreshore to Falsgrave, and to rename it “Newborough-street.” At a meeting, on the 7th instant, a resolution against the change was passed unanimously, and a large deputation was appointed to lay the views of the meeting before the Corporation.
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It is announced that plans have been prepared for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s new residence in the cathedral city of his׳ archdiocese. Funds for the new building have been raised by the sale of the estate at Addington. It is stated that the residence at Canterbury will embrace some of the ancient and pic turesque old houses in the precincts on the north side of the cathedral, and thus preserve the ancient associations which ought naturally to attach to the official dwelling of the Primate. * * *
Among the northern suburbs of the metropolis no locality in recent years has shown greater signs of development than Finsbury-park. Occupying a capital position in this busy and rising locality, is ■the valuable and long leasehold house, known as the Rock, No. 68, Black-stock-road, which Mr. Fred Varley will offer for sale at the Mart, Tokenhouse-yard, on the 23rd instant. The premises have a commanding frontage of about 33ft. to Blackstock-road, including corner entrance, with a return frontage of about 60ft., to Ambler-road, and are intended for a first-class public-house. The house is handsomely fitted, and the rooms throughout are large and convenient. The estimated rental if licensed is £150.
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In spite of the recent defeat of a proposal to demolish a portion of the old town walls ol Southampton, it is now suggested that the old Bargate shall be destroyed. The suggestion has received influential support, but Mr. Charles Cooksey, in a letter to the “ Times,” hopes that it may yet be overthrown. “ There is no doubt,” he says, “that at present the erection is a serious obstruction to traffic, and that the only efficient way to remedy this evil is to construct׳ a roadway round one or both sides. But as most of the property which would be required for this purpose belongs to the Corporation, there is no difficulty beyond the expense, which is very much exaggerated by those who advocate demolition or mutilation.”
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Twyford Abbey, near Ealing, the present owner of which ■has made a claim for compensation against the Ealing and Harrow Railway Company, the proceedings in regard to which are reported on another page, has an interesting history. The tiny parish of Twyford—it only contains 200 acres—adjoins that of Perivale, and the only important house it contains is Twyford Abbey. Early in the 12th century the manor of Twryford was leased to Walter de Cranford and his wife, with “ all tithes of corn, sheep and goats,” by the Dean and Chapter ol St. Paul’s. After various changes of ownership it passed towards the end of the 15th century into the possession of one John Philpot, citizen of London, in whose family it remained for several generations. In the last century ii w־as conveyed by marriage to the Cholmeley family, of whom it wras purchased in 1806 by Mr. Thomas Willan, of Marylebone Park, thence it became, we believe, the property of Lord Gerard, who finally disposed of his interest to Mr. W. Hutt Allhusen, the present owner.
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The old manor house, then occupied as a farm, was demolished by Mr. Willan ; it was a rambling structure surrounded by a moat and approached by a drawbridge. Then arose the present mansion, which was built from designs by Mr. Atkinson. It is a noble building in the castellated, or “ Strawberry Hill ” Gothic-style of architecture, the principal front having a central square tow׳er, with octagonal turrets at each end. The grounds surrounding the house are of a delightful character, undulating and pleasantly wooded, and the approach is by a fine avenue of elm trees. The river Brent, which forms the northern boundary of the parish, winds through the grounds. There is a small brick chapel not far distant from the house, which, with its covering of ivy, forms a