BURLEIGH, (Northamptonshire) 1 m. from Stamford, to the S. E, is the place that first gave title of baron to secretary Cecil in the R. of Q. Eliz. as it has done ever since to his descendants the Ers. of Exeter. He made it his chief seat, and added a park to it, through which, by the wall, passeth the old Roman fortyfoot way, and so on above Berneck. to Wolcot. It bel. to St. Martin's p. in Stamford. The house, which has been very much improved by his successors, particularly by the late E's. father, is truly great and noble, so that for stately rooms, paintings, carvings, terrases, fountains, walks, &c. it may vie with the best seat in England. It looks more like a town than a house, in which the towers and pinnacles appear like those of churches; and a large spire covered with lead rises like that of a cathedral over the clock in the centre. There is an uninterrupted prospect from it for near 30 m. over Stamford into the Fens of Lincolnshire. In the great hall is the aforefaid E's. picture on horse-back, done by the D. of Tuscany's chief painter, at his Highness's charge, the E. being then at his court. And here is so fine a piece of Seneca's bleeding to death in his bath, that 'tis said the late French K. offered 6000 pistoles for it. There are also the finest paintings by the celebrated Verrio, whom the E. employed 12 years in his family, allowing him a coach and equipage, with a considerable pension.