Perhaps I
may be allowed to correct the error which so commonly ascribes the
erection of Wilton House to Jones. In the _Natural History of
Wiltshire_, by John Aubrey, which I edited in 1847 (4to.), it is clearly
shown that the mansion was built in 1633 by, or from the designs of,
Solomon de Caus, architect, who was probably aided by his brother Isaac,
and that it was rebuilt in 1648, after an extensive fire, by Webb, who,
as is well known, married a niece of Inigo Jones. The latter celebrated
architect recommended the employment of these parties, and probably
approved of their designs, but had no further share in their production.
His advice, however, to the Earl of Pembroke, was the means of
preserving the famous _Porch at Wilton_, ascribed to Hans Holbein, which
gives him a peculiar claim to the gratitude of all architectural
antiquaries.
I possess a large collection of the manuscript journals, papers,
drawings, and correspondence of Dr. Stukeley. To the kindness of my old
friend Dr. Ingram, President of Trinity College, Oxford, I also owe a
large Bronze Medal, with a medallion portrait of Stukeley on the
obverse, and a view of Stonehenge on the reverse. This is evidently a
cast from moulds, and rather crudely executed, and I am induced to
regard it as unique. I shall be much gratified if any of your
correspondents can furnish me with a clue to its history, or to the name
of its maker.
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