180 THE FLORIST. 



under the grand transept. Noble groups of sculpture are already ar- 

 ranged down the nave (which has a greater breadth than its prototype), 

 which is agreeably broken in upon by projecting recesses ; at intervals 

 between the sculpture, a few exotic trees are interspersed, with the 

 happiest effect, affording a resting point for the wearied vision. The 

 harmonious colouring of the interior, with occasional glimpses of the 

 brilliant decorations of the Antique courts ; the lofty galleries, seemingly 

 suspended in mid-air, so fairy-like do they appear from the floor; 

 while, far above all, the vast curve of glass, which forms the grand tran- 

 sept, produces altogether an effect beyond description. Vast numbers 

 of Camellias, Azaleas, Acacias, Orangej and other conservatory plants, 

 are ready for transferring to the borders of the divisions which are to 

 contain them, when the requisite arrangements are completed ; the Date 

 Palms lately received from Egypt are for the present arranged along 

 the East transept. On passing from the building to the terrace, imme- 

 diately in front, the eye takes in, not only the more prominent features 

 of the grounds, but a large extent of country, extending like an amphi- 

 theatre in front ; the whole richly wooded, and forming, not inaptly, a 

 rich frame-work to the grounds. 



The elevation on which the palace stands has afforded Sir Joseph 

 great scope for introducing fountains on the grandest scale into the 

 grounds; although these are yet unfinished, their effect may be 

 easily imagined, by those who have been fortunate enough to have 

 seen the display at Versailles. I may here remark, that the main 

 building has projecting wings, extending at right angles, for a consider- 

 able space ; the space enclosed by these wings is laid out in an upper 

 and lower terrace, separated from each other by walls, mounted with a 

 suitable balustrading, and connected with each other by broad flights 

 of steps, opposite the main and side transepts. The lower terrace, even, 

 is considerably above the level of the adjoining grounds, and taken 

 together, they form admirable promenades ; and by their overlooking 

 the gardens below, the effect of the fountains, when they get into play, 

 will be extremely grand from these terraces, as they will more espe- 

 cially be from the balcony of the grand transept. A broad gravel 

 walk is carried from the centre transept, across both terraces, and 

 directly down the grounds ; at some distance from the lower terrace, 

 this walk is intersected by a circular basin and fountain, round which 

 the walk is carried ; and at this point the principal water-works may 

 be said to commence, and will be carried on to the bottom of the 

 grounds, where, to the right and left of this walk, will rise jets of water 

 to an enormous height, forming the most remarkable feature among 

 the many wonders with which the place abounds ; the basins to receive 

 the waste waters from these and the minor jets, which are to surround 

 the principal ones, are already finished, and most of the conducting 

 pipes laid down. Still further to the right and left of these, and in a 

 right line with them, but on higher levels, will be other fountains ; so 

 the valley which here intersects the grounds, and which has been made 

 to take the direction of the Palace, will have four main fountains, the two 

 side ones being subordinate to the grand ones in the middle. Besides 

 the above, which forms only a part of the great scheme of water-work 



