HOLLAND HOUSE 235 



This unique Garden such a surprise among 

 its English surroundings is surely a sign of the 

 cosmopolitan taste of the English people, who 

 have so often imitated Italian, Dutch and French 

 Gardens with all their particular beauties : a new 

 note, in fact, is struck by this strange, mystic Garden 

 of Japan. Where it ends, and a little to the left, 

 runs the Terrace of the Italian Garden, bordered 

 on one side by an " evergreen curtain " an Ivy- 

 framed Arcade cleverly constructed from one of 

 the old stable walls, with charming effect. Joining 

 this Arcade is the old ballroom, so celebrated for 

 the breakfasts given there by the late Lady Holland 

 when wit sparkled, politics were discussed, and love 

 whispered. 



It was near here, in 1804, that the well-known 

 duel took place between Captain Best and Lord 

 Camelford. Little need to say that the quarrel 

 was about a woman, and that there was little cause 

 for a duel at all. Lord Camelford was impetuous, 

 as well as eccentric. As an instance of his eccen- 

 tricity may be mentioned his preference for rooms 

 over a Bond Street grocer's shop to his own 

 magnificent house. At the Prince of Wales' coffee 

 house in Conduit Street, near his rooms, the fatal 

 words were spoken. No arrangement could be 

 made to settle the affair amicably as Captain Bes 

 had the reputation of being the finest shot in 

 England, and his opponent fancied any overtures 



