THE SHRUBBERY 81 



the Laurels were simply a carpet of Prim- 

 roses and Violets, with here and there an 

 Oxlip and snowy Wood-anemone. Violets 

 appeared in the ancient steps of a high-lying 

 terrace, and cropped up at the base of walls. 

 Foxgloves, white as well as purple, sprang 

 up among the Laurels. And the fine masses 

 of Lilac and Guelder Rose shutting off the 

 stable-yard, were enabled to flower when freed 

 from the octopus-like Laurels that sucked their 

 life out. There was a disused hill garden 

 lying on a steep western slope surrounded 

 by delicious red-brick walls of 1613, the same 

 date as the seven-gabled house ; and when 

 the monstrous shrubbery in front of it was 

 laid low, the beautiful gateway with brick 

 pillars and stone balls and brick steps by 

 which it was entered, was revealed. That 

 garden had not been dug for seven years, 

 and the Nettles, with 



" Hateful docks, rough thistles, kecksies, burs," 



were nearly shoulder high. Though there 

 was a big lower garden under a south wall 



F 



