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Carving and inlaying of woods had become pretty general at thelatter end of the 16th century.* At Hardwick, in Derbyshire (1570),| thewood-work in several of the principal apartments is oak, inlaid withebony ornaments on the panels and stiles. The doors and shutters ofMary Queen of Scots ’ room, as it is called, are framed in panels of lightwood, inlaid with profiles of the Caesars and other enrichments — thestiles of darker coloured oak. In the state room the walls are divided,at about half the height, by a stringing, the upper part filled with land-scapes, figures, and animals, relieved in plaster, and painted in theirproper colours on a white ground ; and the lower division hung withtapestry. The chimney front is entirely occupied by a large armorialcompartment relieved in plaster and emblazoned.

It may be remarked, that wherever painting was introduced in simplemasses, i. e, not in devices, the heraldic colours were used: flimsy tintsand fantastical imitations of rare woods and marbles, seldom, if ever,formed any part of the decorations of ancient buildings. Of whatever ma-terials the works were composed, they were generally left with theirnatural hues, or if heightened, it was with gold or decided colours.;};

• Instances of sculptured wood on the walls of domestic edifices are to be found of muchearlier date. At Wressil Castle “ the sides of the rooms are ornamented with a great profusionof ancient sculpture, finely executed in wood, exhibiting the ancient bearings, crests, badges,and devices of the Percy family, in a great variety of forms, set oflf with all the advantages ofpainting, gilding, and imagery,”— Dr. Percy.

t Hardwick was built by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, who was said to have been“ a builder, a buyer, and seller of estates, a money lender, a farmer, and a merchant of lead,coals, and timber.”

A curious prophecy is mentioned relating to this lady, viz., that whenever she discontinuedbuilding, she would die. To avert the fulfilment of this prophecy, she constantly kept buildersemployed; but she died during a suspension of her works, caused by a severe frost.

J Green, spotted with stars of gold, seems to have been in high estimation.