"The palace of Hampton-court was first founded, and built from the ground, by that great statesman and favorite of King Henry VIII, Cardinal Wolsey; and if it be a just observation any where, as is made from the situation of the old babies and monasteries, the clergy were excellent judges of the beauty and pleasantness of the country, and whose always to plant in the best; I say, if it was a just observation in any case, it was in this; for if there be a situation on the whole river between Stanes-bridge and Windsorbridge, pleasanter than another, it is this of Hampton; close to the river, yet not offended by the rising of its waters in floods, or storms, near to the reflux of the tides, but not quite so near as to be affected with any foulness of the water, which the flowing of the tides generally is the occasion of."
William Defoe, A tour through the whole island of Great Britain Letter III (1724)
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