54 
‘‘ Boscobel Oak,” which is associated with the name of Lady Gren- 
ville. One of the finest attractions, however, to which the party 
were introduced by Mr Herrin, was an imposing Cedar Avenue, com- 
posed of Cedars of Lebanon, which, planted eighty ago years, have 
now attained to an average height of something like 80 feet and a 
girth of about 8 feet. There are 170 trees in this fine avenue, 
planted some 25 feet apart, and although it is about 50 feet across, 
the heads of the trees on each side of the avenue have mingled, 
and, shutting out the sun, give to the place a sombre and reposeful 
aspect. The trees are in vigorous health and growing freely, and 
the well-developed foliage has a fine glaucous tint, with thousands 
of cones nestling among it on the upper branches, all the cedars 
here bearing abundance of cones this season. There are. many 
other splendid cedars on the grounds, in fact, the Cedars—Lebanon, 
Iodian or Deodar, and Mount Atlas—are a leading feature at 
Dropmore. Of the Cedar of Lebanon there is a grand example 
standing near the house, which has the credit of being the first 
coniferous tree set out on the estate. It was planted by Lord 
Grenyille in 1792. It is now 104 feet in height, and at 3 feet up 
—the height at which the estate officials have measured all the 
Dropmore trees—it girths 13 feet 7 inches. Near the Cedar Avenue 
grows a handsome, silvery-foliaged specimen of Abies nobilis, which 
was planted in 1835, and has now a girth of 7 feet 5 inches; but, 
like many examples of its species, it has unfortunately lost its 
top by the storms. 
The mansion-house at Dropmore is a comfortable-looking plain 
white building, with pillared portico; and lying around it are 
beautiful pleasure grounds, gardens, and conservatories, laid out 
with the greatest skill and taste. In the flower-garden, in front 
_of the mansion, the beds and borders were glowing with the rich 
colours of many brilliant varieties of flowers; while southward 
lay a well-wooded park, over which the view extended to beyond 
Windsor in the distance. In the large and well-kept kitchen 
garden, roses and flowers of the herbaceous species were in pro- 
fusion; and the fruit trees on the walls were hanging thick with 
magnificent peaches, apricots, and other choice fruits. Among 
numerous objects of interest was a very pretty Fuchsia Garden—a 
favourite flower with the late Lady Grenville—which was greatly 
admired. 
A long and most interesting ramble was enjoyed through the 
extensive grounds; wild and exceedingly picturesque in many 
