20 HOME OF A. J. DOWNING. 



THE HOME OF THE LATE A. J. DOWNING.* 



When siuh a man as Downing dies — a man •\vliosc life has been eminently useful 

 and beautiful — the world desires to know more of him. Many who in his life-time 

 neither knew Mr. Downing nor felt any interest in the pursuits to which he was 

 devoted, now that lie is dead, and especially that his death was so shocking and so 

 sudden, manifest a great anxiety to learn more of his history and of his tastes and 

 pursuits. Many who for years have been in intimate communion with him through 

 his writings, have never, save in imagination, seen his home — the spot which of all 

 others on earth was dear to him. We think, therefore, that at this time the fol- 

 lowing sketches will be very acceptable ; not merely gratifying to that deep and 

 melancholy interest awakened by Mr. Downing's sad fate, but instructive to all who 

 are studying the improvement of grounds. 



Mr. Downing's cottage was the first of his- designs; and probably it was this that 

 drew him and attached him to the study of architecture, and gave us those writings 

 that have done so much to augment the beauty and comfort of country houses, and 

 which he has left us as an invaluable legacy. This fact alone gives increased interest 

 to the house, and will silence the voice of the critic in regard to any errors or imper- 

 fections that may be discovered. 



The grounds are limited — only four acres in all, wo believe, including the vineyard. 

 By the exercise of Mr. Downing's taste and judgment in the arrangement of walks 

 and grouping of trees, it appears much larger. There arc many fine specimens of rare 

 trees on the grounds, Avhich will be referred to in the plan. The defect that strikes 

 the eye now in passing over the grounds, is that the trees in many cases are too close ; 

 but this is a defect which is very natural, and can scarcely be avoided in limited 



* Sec Frontispiece. Explanation. — The following list contains the Key to the letters on the Plan : L, Library, 

 n, Hall. P. Parlor. D, Dining-room. O, OlBce. 8, Study. F, Fir tree. W, Warwick vase. R, Hermitage. A, 

 Arbor. K, Eock-work. V, Borghese vase. G, Green-house. T, Yard to ditto. M, Gardener's house. B, Barn. 

 Key to the arrangement of the most remarkable specimens of trees on the grounds. 



1. Magnolia conspicua— a magnificent tree ; said to be 

 quite visible from the opposite side of the river, a mile 

 distant, when in bloom. 



2. Magnolia acuminata, or cucumber tree. 

 8. Deciduous Cypress. 



i. Magnolia tripetala, (umbrella ) 



5. European Linden. 



6. Tirgilia lutea. A large and fine specimen of a very 

 rare tree. 



7. Salisburia adianthifolia, (Maiden Hair tree.) A fine 

 specimen. 



8. A beautiful, low, broad tree, of the Eem-leaved 

 Beech. 



9. English cork-barked Elm. 



10. European Larch. 



11. Balsam Fir. A lofty, elegant specimen. 



12. American White Spnice. The most beautiful cul- 



tivated specimen we have seen — about thirty feet in di- 

 ameter (of the branches) at the ground. 



13. Common Weeping Ash. 



14. White llorse-Cheslnut. 



15. Yellow do. 



16. Cut-leaved Birch. 



17. A fine broad specimen of a neglected native shrub, 

 Dirca palu.stris, (leather wood.) 



IS. Acer campester, (common English Maple.) Quite 

 a scarce tree, of low stature, with rough corky bark. A 

 handsome specimen. 



19. The large bronze vase. 



20 and 21. Weeping Willows. 



22. Finns e.\ce!sa. 



2.3. Abies Smitliiana. 



24. Abies ceplialonica. 



X. The Sundial. 



In addition to these tliore are many interesting shrubs, plants, «fee., on the lawn, that we have not thought it neces- 

 sary to take note of in such a general sketch as this is intended to be. 



