previous owner: Witt, Robert (Sir)

Inscription: Sheet, recto: lower margin, black ink: "Drawn by S. Ireland. Engraved by S. Middiman. / CLIEFDEN'S SPRING. / Publish'd as the act directs, May 25. 1785, by S. Middiman, London." Separate sheet below, recto: "VIEW of CLIEFDEN SPRING, / BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. / CLIEFDEN SPRING has its Source at the Foot of a Wood of the same Name, and, after a short Course to the / Thames, falls into that noble River, about a Mile above Maidenhead Bridge. Cliefden House is a regular Edifice; it was / begun by the Duke of Buckingham in the Reign of Charles the Second, and was afterwards greatly improved by the Earl / of Orkney: The late Prince of Wales made this his Summer Residence, and considerably enlarged the House and Gardens. / On the Front of this Building is raised a Terrace Walk, said to be higher than that of Windsor Castle; it is certain that / the Prospect of the River Thames, together with the distant Tracts of Cultivation, is not less beautiful and extensive. / This magnificent Palace is now in the Possession of the Earl of Inchiquin, by whose Favour, Parties from the Water / are at all Times permitted to enjoy a temporary Retreat in the cool Shades that surround it."

Stamp: Mount, recto: upper margin, black ink stamp: "WITT / LIBRARY".