MAY. 153 



Before leaving this part we must not forget to mention two beds of 

 yellow Calceolarias, which fill up a vacant space to the right and left, 

 at the top of the garden ; these have a good effect, and contrast well 

 with the warm-coloured beds in the centre. To the left, leading 

 towards the entrance gate from the park, is a long border under the 

 conservatory terrace, formed into the " chain pattern." The oval 

 centre beds are filled with Cerise Unique and Commander-in-chief 

 Geraniums, alternately ; the bands are yellow Heartsease and blue 

 Lobeha, with the space intervening between the beds and the parallel 

 lines of the border filled in with white sand. 



On leaving the balcony garden, and descending by the steps to the 

 panel garden (a lower terrace), the view is very striking, with the 

 loggia directly in front, in the boundary line within which is a large open 

 space, filled with beds, vases, and statues. Towards the bottom the steps 

 branch off right and left, forming a circular sweep, the area of which is 

 filled with a fountain in a large stone basin, with a circular walk leading 

 from the steps round it. A wide central walk starts from this direct to 

 the loggia, and four grass terraces diverge to the right and left, having 

 the fountain as a common centre. Passing through the loggia, a 

 deep dell separates the highly dressed grounds from those beyond. 

 This part has only very recently been added ; and crossing the dell 

 by a rustic bridge, we find ourselves among great masses of shrubs 

 (selected chiefly for their foliage), herbaceous and common wild plants 

 — everything, in fact, which conveys the idea of wild and natural 

 scenery. Looking from the upper paviUon — or, indeed, any part of the 

 higher grounds — these masses of shrubs are completely under the eye, 

 and it was important that they should by contrast set off the floral 

 embellishment within the boundary, as well as form a back-ground for 

 the panel gardens and other part of the grounds on a line with them ; 

 arid we doubt not, as they grow up, they will produce the desired eftect. 



We must, however, retrace our steps to the panel garden, to notice 

 the long green glade or drive which passes through it, having the 

 fountain in its centre. This green walk is nearly a mile in length, 

 and terminates at one end with a flight of steps and balustrade to 

 a platform from which diverge walks and drives in the woods. 

 From this eminence there is a fine vista of its entire length, passing 

 through the lower ground, and ending near the Swiss cottage at the 

 other extremity of the grounds. This drive is margined by parallel 

 beds of Savin, Irish Yews, Arbor-vitaj, vases raised from the ground, 

 filled with choice Geraniums, &c. To the right of the panel garden 

 is the French garden, enclosed within a Laurel wall, in which, set 

 in niches cut out of the usall, are a number of marble busts, four 

 feet high. This garden is laid down on gravel with Box edgings, and 

 is planted with dwarf flowering plants, as Lobelias, Brachycomes, 

 Cupheas, Golden-chain Geraniums, &c. 



Proceeding southward from the panel garden by the long walk, 

 we reach the fountain garden, which lies to the right. This is nearly 

 circular in shape, and has a fountain in its centre, from which four 

 walks radiate, throwing the garden into four divisions. There are, 

 besides, a boundary wall and a conservative wall, taking the sweep of 



