dhwmng's letters. 



shape of vases, were furnisheil with proi)tT jjcdestals, and appointed to suitable 

 positions as near the mansion as possible. 



"We deemed that the house itself and the laundry could be most econoniienlly 

 improved in appearance by covering them enlii'ely with creepers, and especially 

 with evergreen Roses, Pyracanthas, variegated and other ornamental Ivies, and 

 the like, with a due admixture of Clenuitis, Honeysuckle, AVistaria, &c. 



As the greenhouse and frame acconimoilation was limited, wc WTrc not justified 

 in proposing a very extensive parterre, even if the extent of the ground warranted 

 it; its natural flatness, however, suggested the propriety of a certain (luanlity of 

 such arrangement, and it was obviously important that such feature should be JUi 

 near the house as possible. 



Tlio apparent breadth of the garden, and indeed its general extent, being so 

 mu(,'h increased by these arrangements, the four beds e e e e were introduced on 

 one side, in line with centre of drawing-room window, and in a corresponding 

 position upon the other. It is admissilde that these should be 611ed either with 

 dwarf flowering shrubs or with half-hardy plants, annuals, according to conve- 

 nience, &c. A Swedish Juniper has a satisfactory effect in the centre of each. 



So much more having been made of the ground in front, it became a reasonable 

 matter to have nothing but shrubs and turf on that side of the house, and arrange 

 that carriages might come quite up to the front door, instead of unloading at the 

 wicket gate against the road in all weathers. Other matters are, we consider, so 

 fully explained by a comparison of the two plans, and the references thereto, that 

 it will be needless to lengthen the article with further description. 



DOWXING'S FAMILIAR NOTES AND LETTERS. 



No. I. 



An early acquaintance with the founder of the IlorlicaUurist gave us an 

 assurance of his merits. Before he had written a line for the public, several letters 

 passed between us which revealed a mind in active pursuit of truth. There was, 

 too, an earnestness and hope about all that he did, and yet that repose and self- 

 possession which are so fascinating. Looking over some bundles of filed letters 

 and social notes, for a different object, the other day, a number of letters from 

 Downing unexpectedly made their appearance. Though a small portion of those 

 received, we have thought them worthy of extracting from, as they exhibit hira 

 in full career, when life and hope were predominant — so soon, alas ! to be ex- 

 changed for his early tomb. Yery many of our readers and friends were his, and 

 we are quite sure his memory is sufiBciently cherished to make these few ch 

 tic revivals acceptable here. However small the contribution from his 



