, added a range of buildings at Wilton,
forming the south front of the house, and facing an extensive garden
which was laid out at the same time. In designing both the building
and the gardens, he employed Solomon de Caus, a Gascon, on the
recommendation of Inigo Jones. About fifteen years afterwards the
south front so erected was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt by the same
Earl in 1648, from the designs of John Webb, who had married the niece
of Inigo Jones. This peer was a great lover of the fine arts, and a
patron of Vandyck. He died in 1650.
Philip, his son (the second Earl of that name), experienced some
pecuniary difficulties, and the valuable collection of pictures and
books formed by his predecessor, was sold by auction, and dispersed
for the benefit of his creditors. Aubrey's description, from his own
familiar knowledge of them before the sale, is therefore the more
curious and valuable.
In 1669 the second Earl Philip was succeeded by his son William (the
third of that name), and on the death of the latter in 1674, the title
and estates were inherited by his brother, a third Earl Philip. The
two last-mentioned noblemen, according to Aubrey, "espoused not
learning, but were addicted to field sports and hospitality". Their
younger brother, Thomas, became Earl of Pembroke in 1683. He was a
warm admirer and liberal patron of literature and the fine arts, and
is famous as the founder of the magnificent collection of ancient
marbles, coins, &c.
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