MRS. KEPPEL'S HOUSE. THIS pleasant mansion is situated on the banks of the Thames, and close on the river, in the parish of Isleworth, in the county of Middlesex. It was some years since known as the residence of Mr. Lacy, the son of the gentleman, who was the joint patentee with Mr. Garrick, of DruryLane, Theatre. It was then the scene of the continual hospitality of its master, whose generous disposition and unbounded liberality betrayed him into a negligence of his own interests, which has since obliged him to have recourse to that friendship from others, which, while he suffered it to be in his power, he was himself ever ready to bestow. The house is of that date which never fails to aid the picturesque effect of the surrounding scenery; and in passing either way on the river, it must be considered as a pleasing and attractive ornament of the bank on which it stands.The Thames, having passed the wide spreading and extensive lawn of Sion House, and the contrasted scene of Richmond Gardens, with their unrivalled display of sylvan splendour, acquires a kind of tranquillity in its view, not less delightful, when it reflects the habitation of Mrs. Keppel; which, though adjoining the populous village of Isleworth, has the compleat appearance, not merely of elegant, but, which is far better, of comfortable seclusion.It commands little but the river that flows before it, which, however, in itself, and the ever-varying objects on its stream, may be considered as sufficient to gratify a possessor of the spot. The prospect some years since was more extensive, and involved a part of the improvements made by his majesty, in the grounds adjoining to the royal gardens; but that is now in a great measure excluded by the woody boundary, since grown into an height, and thickened into a shade, which renders it impervious to the gazer on the opposite shore. But from the beauty and variety of the trees |