MRS. LAAVRENCE'S GARDEN. 



Following the walk which runs along the boundary of the pleasure grounds, we see 

 how nicel}'' these are separated from the park. A very low hedge is placed in the bottom 

 of a hollow, and its line its broken by a few dwarf evergreens, such as Rhododendrons, 

 scattered here and there regularly along the inside. Standing on the walk, therefore, or 

 the lawn, we scarcely observe this boundary line, because it is so low and unobtrusive, 

 and does not at all arrest the sight, while it is quite hidden from the other side of the 

 place. 



Around some of the plantations at this end of the park, luxuriant masses of the double- 

 blossomed furze form a broken and beautiful fringe, carrying the line of plants well down 

 to the ground, and blending it with the grass, besides making a very brilliant display in 

 the blooming season. Tufts of this furze, or of various brooms, scattered along the mar- 

 gins of park plantations, would often be exceedingly valuable in giving roundness and 

 finish to their outline, and would furnish splendid patches of color in spring, besides being 

 green and lively through the winter. In this part of the pleasure grounds, the varied 

 openings occasioned by Mr. Repton's operations on the southern belt are especially con- 

 spicuous and important, as that belt is so comparatively near. 



Two other avenues, besides the one alreadj^ named, cross the principal lawn of the 

 pleasure grounds. That farthest to the west is composed of Deodar cedars, with a row of 

 Irish yews in front of each line of them, the yews alternating with the cedars. These 

 deodars, of which there are some in other parts of the gardens, are very beautiful speci- 

 mens, and must, in time, become grand objects. This avenue is terminated by a small 

 temple at the north end, containing a statue of the Dying Gladiator. The temple was 

 much used by Pope when Lord Warwick was proprietor of this place. Another avenue 

 is of jlraucaria imbricata, the plants being very regular and healthy, and having lines of 

 Cupressus ju7iiperoides in front of them. 



In addition to these avenues of choice plants, great numbers of rare specimens are plac- 

 ed about the lawn. There is an unusually large and good uibies fVebbimia, jiraliaja- 

 ponica, a fiine Catalpa, many scarce and beautiful pines, firs, &c., and some very excellent 

 variegated hollies. 



At the west end of the garden, a cedar of Lebanon has been used as the nucleus of a 

 small detached plot, planted to resemble a cemetery of the Crusaders said to be still 

 existing at Jerusalem. Its surface is varied by masses of fused bricks, thrown up mto 

 irregular shapes, and formed in one part into a rude and picturesque arch. Groups of the 

 same materials are continued from this spot into the pleasure grounds, at the side of a se- 

 cluded walk, which affords an exit from the place towards Brentford. All these masses 

 are partially clothed with ivy, and having generally a rugged outline, it is remarkable how 

 speedily the ivy disguises the meanness of the material, and converts it into a beautiful 

 feature. Irish yews, junipers, savins, weeping willows, &c., constitute the other and ap- 

 propriate ornaments of the so-called cemetery; which must be looked at solely as a pic- 

 turesque episode in the garden, and without reference to its avowed purpose. 



Nearly adjoining the plot just described is a large circular hollow, surrounded with 

 masses of shrubs and trees, and having a fountain in the center, which plays over a pile 

 of moss-covered rocks. On the west side of this spot is another fountain, half shrouded 

 by trees, which are mostly weeping willows. Many of the trees here take picturesque 

 forms, and are covered with ivy. The water trickles over masses of stone, clothed with 

 many species of wild plants, and is very pretty in summer, or when the sun is shining 

 little scene is quite complete in itself, and being in a corner, and a hollow, much shut 

 plantations, it furnishes an agreeable change. 



