330 THE FLORIST. 



Moss Rose, and some others, so that there is still a wide field open to 

 Rose growers. 



There is one remarkable peculiarity attending the cultivation of 

 Roses ; they never seem to fatigue the mind of the amateur ; in youth, 

 in the vigour of manhood, and in old age, their cheerful brilliant tints 

 are always grateful, their perfume always exhilarating. I have only 

 remarked a slight drawback ; one, after thirty years of admu-ation, is 

 apt to become fastidious, and to require great perfection in shape, in 

 colour, and in habit. I now scan a new Rose with a most critical eye ; 

 at one time a trifling difference in a Rose, if it were a new feature, was 

 hailed with ecstasy ; times are now changed,''^ but then, Roses never 

 were, as far as we know, so beautiful as they are at the present day. 



Thos. Rivers. 



The Nurseries, Sawbridgeworth, Oct. 20, 1856. 



WILTON PARK, NEAR SALISBURY, 

 THE SEAT OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIDNEY HERBERT. 



This noble mansion is situated by the town of Wihon — so notorious in 

 the history of Wiltshire. It is supposed to have been the Caer-Guilon, 

 or chief seat of the British prince Caroilius, and subsequently the 

 capital of the West Saxon dominions. It was a place of considerable 

 importance for some centuries prior to the Norman conquest, and 

 contained several religious establishments, and a mint. From the ninth 

 to the fifteenth century Wilton suffered severely from the wars which 

 raged throughout the country at different times during that period. 

 Notwithstanding many reveises, however, Wilton continued for many 

 centuries after the Conquest famous for its monastic institutions, — 

 particularly its abbey, which was commenced as early as the year 800, 

 and continued to flourish to the dissolution, when it was granted to Sir 

 William Herbert, afterwards Earl of Pembroke. Its buildings, we are 

 told, were of considerable extent and grandeur. 



On the site of the celebrated nunnery Sir William Herbert 

 commenced the erection of the present mansion. It was designed by 

 Hans Holbein and Irligo Jones. At the beginning of the present 

 century Mr. James Wyatt was employed to enlarge the building, and 

 adapt it for the better display of its rich stores of ancient sculpture and 

 paintings, the collection of which is very extensive and magnificent. 

 The exterior of the mansion gives an impression of vast dimensions. 

 Three sides of the building are surrounded by pleasure grounds ; at 

 the west front is situated a neat Italian garden, from a design, we 

 understand, of the late Countess of Pembroke, who for many years took 

 great interest in gardening. This garden is nearly a square piece of 

 ground, and is intersected in the middle by broad gravel walks ; 



* Some years ago I received — what I observe is now regarded as new — the 

 green Rose, from France : its petals, or flower leaves, are changed into sepals 

 perfectly scentless. 1 did not propagate it, not thinking it worthy of cultivation. 



