1869.] TRAVELLING NOTES. 139 



this galaxy all was not joy, — there existed the deeply-seated villanies 

 of Yai:ney and the hroken heart of Amy Eohsart. 



JSTothing now remains of Kenilworth Castle, npon which we can 

 read the memorials of past greatness, but the mouldering walls, ruined 

 hattlements, and deserted halls. The hand of destruction has chnched 

 it firmly, that leveller of every material form. 



In the course of a few minutes more I found myself at Leamington 

 station, and shortly observed the grey towers of Warwick Castle 

 shooting out from among gigantic trees. Situated as it is on high 

 ground, it takes in a large sweep of the surrounding country. Having 

 secured comfortable lodgings at the hostelry of Mrs Ann Page — who I 

 do not suppose is any relation to the lady of that name who shines 

 so conspicuously in ' The Merry Wives of Windsor, ' but that is a 

 point I do not wish to investigate — I now steered my course in the 

 direction of the garden and inquired for Mr Spink, to whom I was 

 an entire stranger — but that does not matter. My reception was kind, 

 and he at once placed himself at my disposal ; and certainly I could 

 not have had the services of a more accomplished cicerone. Well he 

 may be, as he has held his present situation under the late and 

 present Earl of Warwick more than fifty years. 



The kitchen-garden appears to be about 3 acres, and dates beyond 

 the memory of any living man ; no wonder, then, that the soil looks 

 weary and worn out — sickly it must be under such a long period of 

 cultivation. There is a time when manure ceases to stimulate — more 

 is required than dung ; there are the mineral ingredients, which 

 consumed, vegetation languishes, and eventually refuses to yield 

 anything like an adequate return. No doubt, when cropping has 

 been conducted upon correct principles, the natural elements of the 

 soil may be preserved longer, but there is a time when they will 

 disappear under the best management. Mr Spink has to fight against 

 numerous enemies ; one in particular is, that on one side of the garden 

 are planted close to the wall large timber-trees whose roots have ex- 

 tended like a piece of network throughout the vegetable quarters. 

 Eeyond a few of our usually cultivated varieties of Apples and Pears 

 there is no extension. On the Peach-wall there are a few healthy trees, 

 and others again are in the last stage of dissolution ; and were it not, 

 says Mr Spink, "by planting a few yearly, I should soon come to 

 utter grief." This I can quite believe, as alljstone-fruits dislike the 

 red sandstone ; they must have lime either naturally or applied. 



I have little or nothing to record about the forcing-houses, as they 

 are few in number and in a tumble-down condition. It is hardly 

 possible to suppose such a state of dilapidation being called upon to 

 do duty. Pruit certainly is forced, but in what way I cannot guess — 



