Boston Manor

Boston Manor is not to be found in Lincolnshire but in Brentford, West London. It is a rather pleasing Jacobean house with later alterations. The large, rectangular windows are anticipating the Georgian period, but not quite managing their neat symmetry and elegant proportion. It would have been considered an imposing and modern little mansion in that century, though increasingly old fashioned as tastes and styles moved on. Curiously, it was purchased by a family called Clitherow in 1670, but I have not been able to link them to our local market town. One Christopher Clitherow, however, is recorded as praying this in the early eighteenth century:

"O gracious Father, continue to direct and bless mine and all others indeavours (sic) for my deare children, and by thy grace enable them to do good in their generations and glorify thee their maker both by their virtuous and exemplary lives, and actions."

This is a worthwhile petition for any mortal to present at heaven’s gates, and one which I hope the Lord was willing to grant. In the 1830s, this relatively plain home hosted a dinner for King William IV (1830-1837) and Queen Adelaide, for whom additional decoration was arranged. Kings and queens are used to palatial rooms and might be offended by modest walls and dull interiors. Similarly, the Spirit of King Jesus who resides with and in His people also expects decency and goodness in the places wherein He dwells. He seeks no flock wallpaper or gilded furniture, but clean living and faithful believing. Whereas William and Adelaide were unlikely to have contributed any furnishings or paintbrushes to the house they visited, the Holy Spirit both creates the demand, and provides the means, by which we live lives acceptable to Him.