MRS. LAWRENCE'S GARDEN. 



which a small fountain is seen, and some fragmentary classic ruins, jut out from the mass 

 of trees and shrubs at different points along the northern boundary, and prevent the abun- 

 dance of green vegetable objects from degenerating into sameness. Certain cross avenues, 

 however, break up the principal glade more than is desirable. One of these avenues is of 

 Cupressus macrocarpa, backed by mixed evergreens. Near the house among other choice 

 specimens, is a large plant of Arbutus procera, which, with its smooth stems, and fine 

 clusters of fruit in autumn, has a striking appearance. Garrya elliptica is also large and 

 handsome, and is a most valuable shrub for winter flowering. 



When the basin of water is reached, it is found to contain four other figures on pedes- 

 tals, one of them representing Neptune, and another a mermaid, and the remaining two 

 herons. On the east and west sides of this pond, the ground rises into a bank, with large 

 masses of evergreens on the summit. The bank to the east is the highest, and has a splen- 

 did Cedar of Lebanon upon it, the branches of which are held up by ivy covered props, 

 so as to allow of its being walked under. Close to this bank is the dairy, a pretty object, 

 and decorated inside with a row of busts on brackets against the upper part of the walls, 

 with flints, shells, &c., on part of the shelves. The door is of stained glass, with wreaths 

 of roses and other flowers. 



In the neighborhood of the dairy, under the large evergreen trees, is an oval arch, 

 formed with masses of fused brick, and supported on either side with a miniature rockery 

 of the same material, clothed with ivy, &c. The design of the aperture is to afford a 

 sudden and confined view towards the park, embracing part of the lake, on the margin 

 of which latter some masses of fused brick have been set up to form an object to this 

 view. 



Were the scene more definite and contracted, and did it embrace one principal and striking 

 feature, it is probable that this idea of an oval opening, which starts from the level of the 

 ground, and is about the height of a full-grown man, would be very effective, by yielding 

 a kind of telescopic view without the awkwardness and trouble of having to approach so 

 closely to a smaller aperture, or to move about with effort in order to obtain the desired 

 survey. A better example occurs on the outer side of the round pond, where, after thread- 

 ing our way amongst large laurels, and other evergreens, which group themselves into a 

 natural retreat called the Leicester bower, and turning at length between shaded masses 

 of fused brick, which furnishes a shaded home for ferns and alpines, we come all at once 

 to another oval aperture, through which we look out to the pond and its figures, with the 

 grassy bank and noble evergreens beyond. Here there has been more preparation, by a 

 winding and uncertain path, in deep shadow, among imitation rocks, of which the arch 

 forms a part; and the burst of light which we suddenly obtain through the arch, with the 

 limited nature of the view, and the existence of a more definite object in the pond and 

 figures, render this much more satisfactory, and, indeed, decidedly artistic. 



We cannot but remark on the felicity with which the oval figure has been chosen for 

 framing these little scenes, and how well the shape and size of the aperture fulfil its in- 

 tention. Any more irregular opening would have the effect of scattering too much the 

 objects to be revealed, whereas this serves to concentrate and confine them. A circular 

 aperture, again, would produce the same bad result as an irregular one, unless it were 

 quite small, when it would have to be looked through Avith effort, and the whole scene 

 would be taken in only by degrees. The oval, on the other hand, as here adopted, is in 

 itself a beautiful figure, and directly the eye catches it, all that is wished to be seen 

 h it is exhibited at once. The suddenness with which the view opens upon 

 half of the charm. Any gradual unfolding of the scene would ruin it. 



