SEPTEMBER. 



413 



missioners of Birkenhead. A broad central archway for 

 carriages, and two lesser ones for foot passengers, with two 

 lodges two stories in height and forming wings, constitutes 

 the gateway. 



After passing through the gateway and proceeding a short 

 distance, we enter the gardens, where the visual and olfactory 

 organs are now regaled with sights of loveliness and sweetest 

 odors : — 



No tree in all the grove but has its charms, 



Though each its hue peculiar ; paler some, 



And of a wanish gray ; the Willow such 



And Poplar, that silver lines his leaf, 



And Ash far stretching his umbrageous arm ; 

 . Of deeper green the Elm, and deeper still, 



Lord of the woods, the long surviving Oak. 



Some glossy-leaved, and shining in the sun ; 



The Maple, and the Beech of oily nuts 



Prolific ; and the Lime at dewy eve 



Diffusing odors : nor unnoted pass 



The Sycamore, capricious in attire. 



Now green, now tawny, and, ere autumn yet 



Have changed the woods, in scarlet honors bright. — Cowp. 



A great variety of trees, shrubs and flowers bedeck the 

 walks in every direction ; nor are these the only charms. 

 Progressing a little further, we come to a beautifully con- 

 structed rustic bridge, thrown over a portion of a large, clear, 

 meandering lake. This bridge connects an island with the 

 main land, and, as we proceed along the walks of the island, 

 on the margin of the lake, our attention is excited by the 

 stately sailing of majestic swans up and down the stream. 



On the right, there is a small ornamental building, which 

 juts a short way into the water, beneath which is a boat- 

 house containing a boat. The upper part is used occasionally 

 by k band of musicians in entertaining the frequenters of 

 these magnificent gardens. At the end of the lake is a very 

 creditable group of Mazeppa, bound to his wild horse, in 

 sandstone — the sculptor's name I did not learn. In diff'erent 

 parts are several rustic figures, which I suppose to be by the 

 same sculptor. 



A little further is a rockery, which, from the admirable 



