In 1768, Lady Huntingdon resided at Tunbridge Wells, at a house on the Culverden, on the site of which Mrs. Jeddere Fisher's mansion is built. At this time Messrs. Shipman and Matthews, two of the students expelled from Oxford, applied for admission into her college at Trevecca, and were most cordially received at the Culverden by her ladyship. It now occurred to Lady Huntingdon that as she had two ministers in her house one of them should preach. Notice was accordingly sent round, that on such an evening there would be preaching before her door. At the appointed time a great many people had collected together, which the young men seeing inquired what it meant. Lady Huntingdon said, " As I have two preachers in my house, one of you must preach to the people." They in reply said, they had never preached publicly, and wished to be excused. Mr. Shipman was a ready speaker, but Mr. Matthews was remarkably diffident. Her ladyship therefore judged it best for Mr. S. to make the first attempt. While he hesitated she put a bible into his hand, insisting upon his appearing before the people, and either telling them that he was afraid to trust in God, or, to do the best he could. So on the servant's opening the door, her ladyship thrust him out on the steps which led up to it, with her blessing, saying, " The Lord be with you, do the best you can." He preached from Gen. vi. 3. After this Mr. Shipman preached in many parts of the kingdom.

As you approach the Wells, on the right is the Culverden property, which formerly belonged to the Countess of Huntingdon, who resided here. The present elegant mansion, built by the late J. Jeddere Fisher, Esq., and now the residence of Mrs. Fisher, is not seen from the road, but we may with truth apply the same terms in speaking of it now as were used of "The Culverden" upwards of seventy years since, " It is as happily situated as almost any house in the place." In one part of the grounds there is an unique building, having its lower apartments hewn out of the sand rock. It is called the Swiss Cottage, and both the exterior and interior well merit the name, as may be judged from the annexed wood-cut.

In another part of the grounds, and in a most romantic situation, is a tower, built also by Mr. Fisher, which overlooks an extensive tract of country, and looks down immediately on a wild glen, which with the necessary adjuncts of moustachiod faces and high crowned hats, would have formed a capital study for Salvator Rosa. There is also an interesting subject for the naturalist to be found here. In the ravine at the foot of the Castle, from three to six feet below the stir-face, lie buried large trunks and branches of birch trees in a tolerably perfect state, and with the rind (notable for its thin texture) in better preservation than the wood itself.