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As Saint Peter hath the Primacy of all the other Apostles, so the Cathedral dedicated unto him in this County, challengeth the Precedency of all in England, for a Majestick Western Front of Columel-work. But alas! This hath lately felt the misfortune of
other Fabricks in this kind. Yea, as in a Gangrean, one member is cut off to preserve the rest, so I understand the Cloysters of this Cathedral were lately plucked down to repair the Body thereof; and am heartily glad God in his mercy hath restored the onely remedy (I mean its lands) for the Cure thereof.
As for Civil Structures, Holdenby-house lately carried away the credit, built by Sir Christopher Hatton, and accounted by him the last Monument of his Youth. If Flo∣rence be said to be a City, so fine that it ought not to be shown, but on Holy-days; Holdenby was a House, which should not have been shown, but on Christmas-day. But alas! Holedenby-house is taken away, being the Embleme of human happiness, both in the beauty and brittleness, short flourishing, and soon fading thereof. Thus one demo∣lishing Hammer, can undoe more in a day, then ten edifying Axes can advance in a Month.
Next is Burleigh-house nigh Stamford, built by William Lord Cecil. Who so seri∣ously compareth the [late] state of Holdenby and Burleigh, will dispute w•…•…th himself, whither the Offices of the Lord Chancellour or Treasurer of England be of greater Revenues, seeing Holedenby may be said to show the Seal, and Burleigh the Purse, in their respective magnificence, proportionable to the power and plenty of the two great▪ Officers that built them.
Withorpe must not be forgot, (the least of Noble Houses, and best of Lodges,) seeming but a dim reflection of Burleigh, whence it is but a Mile distant. It was built by Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter, to retire to (as he pleasantly said) out of the dust, whilst his great House of Burleigh was a sweeping.
Castle Ashby the Noble Mansion of the Earl of Northampton succeeds, most beauti∣full before, a casual fire deformed part thereof. But seeing fire is so furious a plun∣derer, that it giveth whatsoever it taketh not away, the condition of this house is not so much to be condoled, as congratulated. Besides these, there be many others, no County in England, yeilding more Noble men; no Noble men in England, having fairer habitations. And although the Freestone whereof they be built, keepeth not so long the white innocence, as Brick doth the blushing modesty thereof; yet when the fresh luster is abated, the full state thereof doth still remain.