FEBRUARY. 57 



fit emblems as they are of our ephemeral existence ; but lovely as they 

 are in themselves, their beauty is capable of being heightened or 

 diminished by asstciation. The cliaplet of Rosfs does not lend the 

 charm to the aged brow of tlie matron which it gives to that of the 

 young maiJen. We feel that in 'he one case it is misjilaced; in the 

 other it is part of a beautiful and consistent whole. Surely, for the stern 

 grandeur of an old baronial castle, the plain breadth of giassy slope or 

 lawn, the overhanging rock, the gnarled and contorted Oak, the noble 

 Cedar of Lebanon, the mantling Ivy, with the more sombre and dark 

 toliaged shrubs, are the more htting accomjianimtnts, each lendinn- its 

 aid to the general expression of wild dignity. 



But I shall be told the requirements of modern civilisation indis- 

 pensably require the accompaniment of a flower garden — granted, that 

 none who has the means would be without flowers. I .<jh'iuld say have 

 them by all means, but do not spot and fritter a grand [ilace with 

 pigmy parterres or mop-headed looses. Have them, but take a lesson 

 from Arundel, and instead of their looking like new patches on old 

 garments, thi y will, if introduced as an ejdso le, lend the charms of 

 variety and contrast to what is grand, consistent, and imposii'.g. 



Arundel is one of the few jilaces in this country nhat is a perfect and 

 harmonious whole; all its parts are subservient to the general expression; 

 its grandeur is without alloy, and is perfectly unique. Every edifice of 

 a subordinate character is built in the style of castle. The domain is 

 vast, and all its parts are great in proportion. 'Ihe grounds have fine 

 undulations ; the masses of wood are imposing from their extent ; and 

 the great breadths of lawn, aided by the irregularity of surface, leave 

 nothing to be desired. 



In my opinion, there are few places which rank with Arundel for 

 beauty and grandeur of design, or as illustrative of clever practical 

 gardening. 



heaving Arundel, I continued my route by the South Cof ?t Railway 

 to Havant, near Portsmouth, visiting the gardens of Sir (ieorge 

 Staunton, Col. Harcourt, at Hyde, and Osborne, the marine residence 

 of our gracious Queen ; from thence to Strathfieldsaye, the seat of .he 

 Duke of Wellington, and Heckfield, the seat of the Right Honourable 

 the Speaker, a brief account of which places I purpose giving in a 

 future number of the Florist. 



Henry Bailey. 



Nuneham, Oxford. 



P.S. — I must not omit to mention, that in a valley flanked by beautiful 

 banks of wood at Arundel, Mr. M'Ewen has made a lake, which is 

 very effective, and is upon a scale commensurate with the other parts 

 of the place. In its execution great skill is evident, and its margins 

 are well stored with the most interesting bog and aquatic plants, 

 including large patches of the beautiful Gynerium argenteum, or 

 Pampas (iiass. 



