208 THE CECILS
been made, but much of it still retains its original character. The two great chambers one at each end of the house the Library on the west and King James's room on the east, have been little altered, and the Long Gallery, one hundred and sixty feet long, which connects them, though the fretted ceiling has been restored and other renovations made, remains a noble example of a Jacobean interior. The same applies to the hall and the chapel ; fine oak panelling and carving including the great staircase, with its richly carved newel- posts, each supporting a figure remains a characteristic feature, and bears witness to the taste of the founder and to the excellence of the workmanship.
Hatfield provided Salisbury with ample scope to display his taste in laying out the grounds, which interested him only less than the house itself. Of the original garden little remains, but that on the west side, called the Priory Garden, with its four mulberry trees planted by James L, belonged to the old palace, and the rosery is also of ancient date.
Evelyn, who visited Hatfield in 1643, specially mentions the garden and vineyard, " rarely watered and planted " ; and Pepys also has something to say about them. On his first visit (July 22nd, 1661) " Mr. Looker, my Lord's gardener, showed me the house, the chappell with brave pictures, and above all, the garden, such as I never saw in all my life : nor so good flowers, nor so great gooseberrys, as big as nut-
�� �
