462 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



carver, who flourished in Queen Elizabeth's time. The 

 great defect in this style is, that the details are decorative 

 rather than constructive ; they do not grow out of the mate- 

 rials in a legitimate way, but are rather parasites, fastened on 

 the exterior surface. 



The cornices are light, and their shadows are but a line ; 

 instead of a broad mass, as in the Italian style, the plans are 

 generally too regular, and furnish few vertical shadows. 



This building is, perhaps, as good an example of the style 

 as can be found, and abounds in well and finely executed 

 details. The pleasure grounds contain about sixty acres. 

 That portion in front of the Hall is in fine terraces, with a 

 fall of sixty feet, and has walks and flower beds in geomet- 

 rical form, corresponding with the house. 



The first terrace is of stone, and forms the base of the 

 mansion ; down a few steps is a second terrace, five hundred 

 feet long by one hundred and fifty wide, surrounded Avitli* a 

 rich ballustrade with roses on the pedestals ; in the centre is 

 a fine cast iron tazza fountain, from Belgium. The flower 

 beds are in regular figures ; Irish yews are placed at regular 

 distances along the walls, and there are three flights of broad 

 steps leading to the third terrace. 



The third terrace is entirely in turf except the walks ; the 

 fourth is divided in the centre, and has a very fine fountain 

 in each half, constantly throwing jets forty feet high, in fine 

 weather. At the ends of each division are flower beds in the 

 form of shells, around which and the fountains are colored 

 gravel walks, with all the curves and angles appertaining to 

 this style. The fifth terrace is chiefly in turf, with a belt of 

 trees and shrubs along the lower edge. Beyond are mead- 

 ows and pastures, in the valley, for miles ; in the distance, a 

 range of hills. 



All the terraces are of the same size, except the upper one ; 

 the views from them are very extensive and varied. On the 

 right are extensive plantations of Portugal laurel and rhodo- 

 dendrons, with a few choice evergreen trees, planted singly 

 and looking very well ; beyond is a forest of large trees, with 

 a dense undergrowth of laurels, rhododendrons, kalmias, «fcc. , 



