73 



GARDFNS OLD AND 



the death of Sir Thomas Wise 

 in 1675, his daughter and 

 heiress, who had married 

 Edward Tremayne, of Colla- 

 combe, in Lamerton parish, 

 carried Sydenham to the 

 family that now possesses it. 

 "Squire Tremayne," as his 

 neighbours call the present 

 owner, is very popular in 

 North Devon, and it is delight- 

 ful to find how much he and 

 the Hon. Mrs. Tremayne 

 cherish this beautiful mansion, 

 and with what simple and 

 delightful character they have 

 invested its gardens. 



Within and without, as 

 our pictures disclose, it is 

 wholly satisfactory. The 

 noble dining-room, with the 

 great fireplace dating from 

 1656, the many oak wainscoted 

 chambers, and the magnificent 

 staircase, hung with numerous 

 family portraits, and lighted 

 through those glorious 

 windows, all maintain the 



beautiful aspect of their earlier day, and it is pleasant to watch 

 the pigeons fluttering in through the open windows of the 

 dining-room, encouraged to enter for their food, or to heai 

 them cooing from the chimneys and gables above. 



The gardens of Sydenham House are indeed in happy 

 harmony with the mansion, and they owe much to Squire 

 Tremayne. Approaching them from the direction of Coryton, 

 we are impressed with the extraordinary beauty of the 



Cup) rigl:t. 



FEEDING THE PIGEONS. 



' Country Life." 



country. We pass through fine woodlands, and by emerald 

 meadows and cottages wreathed in foliage and flowers, to find 

 the landscape growing in sylvan beauty, a sombre fir here 

 and there enhancing the effect of the tender greens of beech 

 and oak, with their undergrowth of ferns, hollies, and 

 rhododendrons. 



At our feet the river pursues its course, and we cross 

 a bridge to the gardener's cottage, almost hidden among 



MANVAH U.H >M;D WINDOWS. 



"Country Life.' 



