FOX. HASTINGS. 257 



A friend of mine, upon viewing the grounds on 

 a fine summer day, in 1840, gave expression to 

 his feelings in the following lines 



Long midst thy groves, fair DROPMORE, could I stray, 

 For you are fair, indeed from the bare heath 

 You sprung by magic of his classic mind 

 And owe your landscape to a GRENVILLE'S skill. 



Yes ! you were grateful, solace sweet you gave 

 To temples aching for his country's weal, 

 To nerves all wearied with the constant strife 

 Of angry senates, in tumultuous times. 



Your groves have soothed him with their umbrage cool, 

 Your laughing lawns have spread their greensward soft 

 To tempt his steps, strolling in converse sweet 

 With kindred souls, co-equal in their lore, 

 And striving each for England's happiness. 

 Yes, you were grateful, here in peace be dwelt, 

 Rich in connubial and fraternal love. 



DROPMORE ! those hands yet tend with pious care 

 Your charms, and as He left them, still they glow, 

 While riper beauty consummates his plan. 



W. N. 



Mr. Fox delighted in planting and ornamenting 

 St. Anne's Hill, where masses of some of the finest 

 rhododendrons and azalias in England may be 

 seen, and where the effects of his good taste are 

 very conspicuous. Burke and Warren Hastings 

 passed their most tranquil, and, perhaps, happiest 

 days, in laying out and improving their gardens 

 at Hallbarn and Daylesford; and Mr. Pitt had 

 equal pleasure at Holwood. The late Marquess 



