How's that, forgive me for not posting?
Okay, it has been a while I know. In apology to you, my humble reader, here's one of the designs for the expansions of the Bishop's Palace ( number 19 Abercromby Square) from the beginning of the century. This is the view from the rear of the buildings ( where the Oliver Lodge buildings now stand). Formerly the rear had been stables but the plans suggested a new grand chapel ( pics to follow), and joining up with the main house.
How's that, forgive me for not posting?
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You may have noticed that I've been spoiling you a bit with pictures over the last week. It's to butter you up I'm afraid!
Thank you to all those coming back daily for the blog, but its reached the point where I really do need to concentrate on actually writing something. Therefore posts will be a little sparse until Christmas I'm sad to say. No, don't cry, I still love you, it's me, not you... I will still be posting occasionally ( and hope to resume daily or every other daily posts in the new year) but its more likely to be weekly until then. If you miss me, why not have a read through the last eight months of blogging, you might find some gems! Feel free to e-mail me if you like, particularly if you know something I don't, or have more lovely pics I can share or use in my research. Love u! xxxx Roscoe's first 'Botanical Garden' in Liverpool was literally within spitting distance of Abercromby Square. Here's a contemporary drawing of the gatehouse entrance ( circa 1805), greeting visitors to the attraction.
There is a lot more variety in design over on this side of the Square, and it can be hard to determine at first glance at which stage they were added or altered. One thing you do see here ( not a very good picture of them I'm afraid) is the alcoves at the back for displaying treasures and impressive decoration to visitors. While these were common around the Square on building, most have vanished from the other buildings through time. I won't confuse matters here with house numbers ( the south side of the Square suffers from the same malaise as everywhere else of inconsistent numbering through time) but the houses on the southern side of the square are a fascinating study compared with those opposite.
Though the University has done a fair share of alteration here too during the 1920s and 1930s, the houses retain more individuality tan their northern side counterparts. While this example doesn't exactly replicate the look when Robert Gladstone ( the Prime Minister's uncle and sometime business partner) lived here, it gives a fairly good flavour of what you could expect when visiting the wealthy merchant. The panelling is only around a hundred years old, but many of the other features remain close to their two hundred year old original state. A quick photo of Allerton Hall, now a pub and eatery. The Hall was the former home of William Roscoe, but during the early 1860s it was rented by Charles Kuhn Prioleau ( latterly of 19 Abercromby Square) through his father in law. It was used for entertaining visitors from the Confederacy during the early years of the war and reputedly even flew the confederate flag when visitors were expected.
While much has been rebuilt, it is a useful reference point for some of the grandeur Prioleau was aiming to replicate in the new townhouse he was having constructed. Even the curved staircase shows some interesting parallels with listings of later furnishings in the Square, though that is a different post! |
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