the big E.S. of the self-asserting founder. It is not pretty gardening nor 

 particularly dignified. No doubt it is only a modern acquiescence in the 

 dominating tradition of the place. Even making allowance for, and 

 retaining this sentiment, a better design might have been made, embodying 

 these already too-often-repeated letters. Moreover, the servile copying 

 of the lettering in its stone form only serves to illustrate the futility of 

 reproducing a form of ornament designed for one material in another of 

 totally different nature. 



There is some excellent gardening in a long flower-border outside the 

 forecourt wall. Here the size of the house is no longer oppressive, and it 

 comes into proper scale a little way beyond the point where the broad 

 green ways, bounded by noble hedges of ancient yews, swing into a wide 

 circle as they cross, and show the bold niches cut in the rich green 

 foliage where leaden statues are so effectively placed. 



By the kindness of the owner, the Duke of Devonshire, Hardwick 

 Hall, illustrating as it does a distinct form of architectural expression with 

 much of historical interest, is open to the public. 



54 



