SWAKELEYS [To the Editor of the SeEcTAToa.]
SIR,— My Committee would be grateful to you if you would help it by giving publicity to its proposals with regard to " Swakeleys," the fine old 17th-century country house which is threatened with destruction. Swakeleys is a " transition " house, marking the change between Elizabethan planning and that of the full classic revival, brick-built and gabled, with unusual if not unique features to be found in its construction—for instance, the mullions, jambs, &c., of some windows are of a black marble, probably Belgian. The Society hopes to find a single purchaser who will give an undertaking to preserve the house intact, and thus prevent demolition and the erection of small dwellings on the site. Failing this it has a scheme to promote a Company which will divide the buildings there into flats which will be let.
The Company would have as its object the paying back of the share-holders' money and when that has been done the presentation of the building with 30 acres of park and garden land to the National Trust. That body is also supporting the scheme and has consented to accept the house when it is free of debt.
Should any of your readers be interested in the scheme,
I hope they will communicate with me here.--I am, Sir, &e.,
20 Buckingham Street, Adeiphi, London, W.C. 2.
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