† The new building which faced the garden was designed by
Monsieur Solomon de Caus, tempore Caroli {primi}, but this was burnt
by accident and rebuilt 1648, Mr. Webb then being surveyor. [See next
page.]
†[There is no authority for the assertion that Holbein designed more
than the porch mentioned elsewhere.-J. B.]
The situation of Wilton House is incomparably noble. It hath not only
the most pleasant prospect of the gardens and Rowlindon Parke, but
from thence over a lovely flatt to the city of Salisbury, where that
lofty steeple cuts the horizon, and so to Ivychurch; and to add
further to the glory of this prospect the right honourable Thomas,
Earle of Pembroke, did, anno 1686, make a stately canal from
Quidhampton to the outer base-court of his illustrious palace.
The house is great and august, built all of freestone, lined with
brick, which was erected by Henry Earle of Pembroke. [Holbein's porch,
and probably other parts of the house, were anterior to the time of
the first Earl Henry. See the introductory note to this chapter.- J.
B.] Mr. Inigo Jones told Philip, first Earle of Pembroke, that the
porch in the square court was as good architecture as any was in
England. 'Tis true it does not stand exactly in the middle of the
side, for which reason there were some would have perswaded his
Lordship to take it down; but Mr. Jones disswaded him, for the
reasons aforesayd, and that we had not workmen then to be found that
could make the like work.
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