200 DARENT-HULME. [l866. 



exact level of the springs in the valley, and that the 

 well-diggers must touch water when they reached that 

 depth. 



The laying out of the ground and planting were 

 carried out according to his own plans, those of a 

 professional landscape gardener who had been called 

 in not being approved. An Arctic plantation crowned 

 the highest point, and a clump of berberis where the 

 soil was most surly; a sophora and a lavender walk 

 were marked off, but taking precedence of all, the 

 only level strip of ground was transformed into an 

 acacia walk. This straight formal path, bordered by 

 tuft -headed acacias, was to remind him of a garden 

 in his beloved France. It may be added that these 

 little acacias have had a hard struggle for existence : 

 they found the chalk an unfriendly soil, and have 

 had to be replaced from time to time. 



When the foundation of the house was laid, it was 

 characteristic of our geologist that he invited a little 

 festive gathering of relatives to share in the proceed- 

 ings and rejoice with him. The building was an 

 interest and a recreation, and it is not surprising 

 that it was destined to illustrate geology within and 

 without. Tertiary flints faced the outer walls, while 

 the coigns and mullions were of white Paris stone. 

 Within, the mantel -shelves throughout were to de- 

 monstrate the use of English marbles. As a matter 

 of course, the decorations were geological. The grace- 

 ful fronds and foliage of the Coal-measures were to be 

 adapted for cornice ornament, while extinct animals, 

 which had flourished in this country in bygone ages, 

 were stencilled in panels on the dining-room ceiling, 

 and were not grotesque. 



It was in this year (1866) that Prestwich was ap- 



