Synopsis
Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
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Présentation de l'éditeur
Vandeleur, dated back to the reign of Henry VI. There seemed to be a strange fatality connected with the birth of sons, for never but one in each generation lived to reach his majority. It was always Richard Vandeleur of Helmsford, the name of father and son since the earliest records of the family. In remote generations there had been many lovely daughters who had married and given children to the noble house, but not to the proud name. It was a tradition in the family, that, when the War of the Roses ended, and Henry VII. presented his trusty servant and friend, Richard Vandeleur, with the broad lands of Helmsford, he had also offered him a title, which the brave soldier sturdily refused, preferring to be simply Richard Vandeleur, gentleman; and so it had been for all these generations. In all England there was not a more beautiful estate than Helmsford, or a more imposing country mansion than Helmsford Hall, a substantial gray stone construction, of mixed architecture. A round its three sides ran two rows of open porticos, the lower Doric, the upper I onic. A double flight of massive stone steps led to the grand entrance, on either side of which were couchant lions, holding between their paws tablets bearing the family coat of arms. From its high position it commanded a magnificent view of distant mountains, hills, and valleys, and, far beyond, the broad, open sea. In the middle landscape were miles of rich meadow land, dotted here and there with the white cottages of the happy farmers of England. Directly under the eye the broad park and terraced gardens of Helmsford, ornamented with fountains and statues, in the midst of which swept two broad carriage drives from the terraces to the massive gates, bordered on each side with stately oaks and elms. Whichever way the eye turned, one saw the verdant representatives 1of every clime, pines from the dreary nor
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)
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