The Forest Trees of Wiltshire. 148 
thoroughly interlacing overhead, and forming the completest and 
most perfect pointed arch that eye can see or mind conceive. Nor 
is there that sameness that might be supposed. There are some 
breaks in the Avenue, such for example, as the beautiful open space 
—a fine rich-looking lawn—on one side of which, in a sweet 
sequestered nook, once stood Savernake Lodge :—the ‘ Octagon,’ 
where the ‘eight walks’ meet; and some short open spaces, 
where the old beech lines are varied by oak and beech intermixed, 
planted at a much more recent period. And in addition to these 
breaks, the undulating surface of the ground, which shows this 
noble arch in all its phases, sometimes on the level, sometimes on 
the ascent, or on the descent, with ever and anon, on reaching the 
top of an acclivity, a peep at distant portions far beyond, and 
looking separate from that above you ;—all this relieves it from 
any approach to monotony. It is a grand and glorious sight, and 
one that cannot be seen without feelings of admiration, and some- 
thing akin to awe.” 
But what of Lonerzat?—Second only to Tottenham, and that, 
perhaps, only as regards the avenue,—sylvan beauty abounds in 
every part. The Warminster entrance to the park is called 
_ “Hfeaven’s Gate,” and certainly, if anything here below deserves 
_ such a name, the scene that bursts upon the visitor on passing 


through that gate warrants it being so called. Unfortunately for 
the writer, Longleat is, comparatively so little known to him that 
he is unable to speak of it as fully as he could have wished. But 
this he can safely say, that, the avenue apart, Longleat may vie with 
Tottenham in every other respect. The latter, though full of 
gentle undulations, is too flat to afford those delightful views which 
break upon you so frequently at the former. There the dells are 
deeper, the hills are higher; and on gaining the top of any of the 
rather steep ascents, some distant object—a column, a mansion, a 
hamlet, or at a greater distance some town, meets the eye; and 
being viewed over the dense masses of luxuriant foliage at your feet 
and spreading out before you, renders the scene rich and charming 
_ to a degree this pen lacks the power of describing as it deserves. 
Looking down from one of those eminences whence the 
