of later generations. " Unfortunately," says Lord Northampton, "there are
no family papers and no old plans." The story of the house, however, as far as it is known, is sufficiently curious. Early in the second half of the eighteenth century there was a great struggle between three noble families for the patronage of the borough of Northampton. The three were Lord Spencer, who spent £130,000 on the affair ; Lord Halifax (not the family that now holds the title), who was absolutely ruined ; and Lord Northampton, who had to dismantle Compton Wynyates. He even ordered it to be pulled down. But the steward of the time disobeyed the order, and kept the house from falling into ruin. And then about a century afterwards the family took up their residence in the old place again. This most interesting book, with its fine photographs of exteriors and interiors, is the result, The public is greatly indebted to Lord Northampton for it ; he has done his best to make the beauties of the place known to all who may wish to know what they are.
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