Near Monksilver is the old seat of the Sydenhams, Combe
Sydenham, a fine old mansion, whose lofty square tower is un-
English in appearance. The house was built by Sir George Sydenham
in 1580, who is locally said still to have an unpleasant way of
galloping down the glen at midnight. Perhaps he is uneasy in his
mind about the huge cannon-ball in the hall, which he is said to have
fired as a sign to his lady-love that he was going to follow after and claim her as his bride. There are portraits of some bewigged
Sydenhams of the following century, the famous doctor, perchance,
and his soldier brother, Colonel William the Parliamentarian. Some
rusty old swords hang on the walls, and there is a curious painted
screen of Charles II.'s time which is sadly in need of repairs. The
servants' hall, with its open fireplace and tall-backed settle, remains
much as it has been for two hundred years or more. All these things
point to the fact that the same family has been in possession for
generations: at least it was owned by a Sydenham not so many ye
[Pg 155]
ars ago. An effigy of Sir George with his two wives (perhaps this is the cause of his uneasiness) may be seen in Stogumber church,
about a mile away.