96 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



blossoms few people realise the subtle charm which 

 lies in these humbler plants, or how much suffering 

 they have soothed with faith to help their magic 

 power. 



Ashridge is a very proper place for a " Garden 

 of Simples," as in the old days the monks spent 

 much of their time cultivating herbs, and were 

 the only doctors of the poor. Many a pilgrim 

 who came to worship at the shrine of the Precious 

 Blood received bodily as well as spiritual healing. 



Strangely few care to possess Herb Gardens 

 now, being either careless or forgetful of their 

 delicate charms, and preferring some more brilliant 

 growth. 



There is in the Garden at Ashridge a large 

 piece of ornamental water, made one severe winter 

 to give employment to a number of men out of 

 work. This pond is rectangular in shape, enclosed 

 on three sides with high banks and with a trimly 

 cut Yew hedge running round it. As the pond 

 was used for skating, several flights of stone steps 

 were made to lead down to the water's edge. 

 Though handsome in itself, the pond is of no 

 value as a feature of the Garden. Water as a 

 rule is a great additional beauty to any spot, but 

 here it has been sunk so much below the level 

 of the ground that no rippling reflection can be 

 seen ; indeed, it remains hidden from view unless 

 it is looked at almost from the bank. 



