50 THE FLORIST. 



building and grounds, has, we hear, been purchased for that purpose. 

 The proposed building, which, like its great precursors in Hyde Park 

 and Sydenham, is to be a magnificent structure of iron and glass, is 

 from the designs of Mr. Owen Jones, who has, however, introduced very 

 considerable alterations both in the elevation and interior arrangements, 

 and which, in our opinion, constitute great improvements, and will 

 make the building much superior, in many respects, to the Sydenham 

 Palace. The centre of the proposed building, which altogether is 

 upwards of 1200 feet long and 400 feet wide, consists of an immense 

 circular dome of 200 feet span, and 136 feet high, completely divided 

 from the rest of the building, and intended as a winter garden or 

 tropical conservatory, beneath whose capacious and lofty roof Palms and 

 other types of the magnificent vegetation of the tropics will find room 

 enough to attain their utmost development. The great advantage of'having 

 this compartment devoted to a conservatory divided from the naves will 

 be to prevent the humid atmosphere necessary for the growth of plants 

 penetrating the rest of the building ; and thereby to preserve many 

 fine art productions and delicate manufactures which are found to suffer 

 where the least dampness prevails. One nave is to be devoted to works 

 of practical utility, manufactures, &c, and the other to the fine arts and 

 scientific objects. Besides, there are proposed minor sub-divisions, to 

 include museums, class rooms, show rooms, &c. A grand concert room 

 or theatre is also provided, which forms a circular projection to the 

 building on the north front ; this will contain sitting room for 10,000 

 spectators, and yet is so arranged that it does not interfere with the 

 other interior arrangements. 



It is proposed to surround the palace with terrace gardens on a magnifi- 

 cent scale in the early English, Italian, Dutch, and French styles, as well 

 as modern English, to represent the progression of this department of 

 ornamental gardening. An experimental horticultural establishment is 

 also one of the objects contemplated by the promoters, as well as the culti- 

 vation of those plants which enter into the arts and manufactures ; their 

 object being to make the Palace an educational establishment, as well as to 

 afford amusement and recreation. Useful or economic botany, as well 

 as horticulture, arboriculture, and agriculture, will be introduced in a 

 popular manner, so as to convey a clear view of the principles of culti- 

 vation included under each head. 



As we stated above, the whole estate comprises about 450 acres, 

 beautifully undulated, and well furnished with timber. The site of the 

 proposed Palace will be at an elevation of 200 feet above the general 

 level, and the view from the building and adjoining terraces will 

 embrace a wide circle, extending over the metropolis to the Surrey hills, 

 and the Sydenham Palace ; Kent, Middlesex, and Essex. The situation 

 is, in fact, one of the most picturesque to be met with, and remarkably 

 so, considering its close proximity to London, and the ease with which 

 it may be reached from the metropolitan districts north of the Thames. 

 The extent of ground intended for the gardens and park will be about 

 200 acres ; the soil is a sandy loam, varying to that in which clay 

 predominates, and very suitable for the growth of trees, as is evidenced 

 by those growing on the spot, and the luxuriance of the shrubs and 



