276 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



flowers in stone Vases, and good reproductions in 

 lead of antique Statues, all help to make up the 

 wonderful effect of this unique Court. 



Passing on to the Stone Court the beauty of 

 which must fill any one with admiration and 

 through the house, the great hall where so 

 many celebrated scenes must have taken place is 

 entered. One of these was most likely the 

 amusing incident which occurred when Charles, the 

 witty Earl of Dorset, was entertaining some boon 

 companions, amongst whom were poets and wits. 

 The conversation flagged, and Dorset suggested 

 that every one should write an impromptu, and 

 that Dryden should decide which was the best. 

 Every one worked anxiously and hard except their 

 host, who in a minute threw his paper down on 

 the table. At length, when all the paper lay 

 beside his, Dryden was called upon to decide, 

 and without hesitating gave the palm to Dorset ; 

 an opinion endorsed by every one when they 

 read the following : "I promise to pay Mr. John 

 Dryden, or order, ^500 on demand. DORSET." 



After crossing a third Court, an iron gateway is 

 reached, which leads to the Gardens on the east 

 side of the house. To the left lies an old Walled 

 Garden filled with a mass of delicious old Lavender 

 bushes and Fig trees, the foliage of the latter pos- 

 sessing greater artistic value than almost any other 

 tree. The contrast formed by the large glossy 



