BROWNSEA ISLAND 143 



hedges (Lavender flourishing almost like a weed 

 in the sandy soil) and a Pergola of Apple trees, 

 which in spring is like a fairy web of interlacing 

 boughs, covered with delicate white gossamer 

 blossoms. Though this is called a Kitchen Garden, 

 it has no appearance of the ordinary Garden of that 

 name, but is rather a fantastic maze of walks among 

 a mass of flowers. Down the centre of this Garden 

 runs a long gravel path, which is kept gay right up 

 to October by a border filled to overflowing with 

 herbaceous plants, its whole length edged with 

 Cushion Pinks, which are indigenous to the soil. 

 In the middle of this pathway, to break the long 

 line, a Maypole, or pillar, is set up, hung with 

 festoons of Roses, while branching to right and 

 left are Pergolas of Roses. Under this sweet- 

 smelling shade grow clustering bunches of White 

 Pinks and other flowers. On three sides this Garden 

 is confined by hedges of close-clipped Laurel, and 

 on the fourth by the Grape and Peach Houses. 



In the very midst of the Island, near the Kitchen 

 Garden, are two lakes, one below the other, both fed 

 by springs. These lakes are surrounded by trees, 

 and are so sheltered and quiet that the spot is 

 beloved by wild duck and other water-birds. 



From this lovely Garden, with its Terraces, 

 Fountains, and perfumes, it is necessary to turn to 

 find out a little of the history of the Island on which 

 it lies though in reality the Garden is the Island, 



