ASHRIDGE 97 



" Grotto and Garden for Rock Plants " is marked 

 on Repton's plan for the Garden at Ashridge, and 

 this still remains, though it is most likely vastly 

 improved since his day. The usual subterranean 

 passage leads down into this Grotto, planted every- 

 where among the rocks with luxuriantly growing 

 ferns of every sort and size, making an exquisite 

 green bower, the very place for thought and rest, 

 as Andrew Marvel says : 



" Meanwhile the mind, from pleasure less, 

 Withdraws into its happiness; 

 The mind, that ocean where each kind 

 Does straight its own resemblance find ; 

 Yet it creates, transcending these, 

 Far other worlds, and other seas, 

 Annihilating all that's made 

 To a green thought in a green shade." 



The wide Garden Terrace in front of the house 

 is gravelled, and the Box-edged Borders are filled 

 with such pleasant flowers as Snapdragon, Mig- 

 nonette, Geraniums of all kinds, and Calceolarias. 

 At intervals between these borders are little square- 

 clipped Yews and Boxes containing very old scented 

 Lemon Verbena, the stems of which are nearly 

 twelve inches round, gnarled and twisted with age. 



On the Lawn just below the terrace beautiful blue 

 Agapanthus are planted in tubs, adding greatly 

 to the general effect. Straight from this Terrace 



