GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



surroundings, it is chiefly natural landscape, with picturesque- 

 ness of character, and floral wealth that we discover. That 

 pretty village of Belton, which has been alluded to for its 

 rural charms, lies on the north, while the many-acred 

 park, rich in umbrageous glories, and roamed over by 

 herds of deer, is upon the south side. The woodland 

 character most attracts us here, with many a glade for 

 our delight, many a cloud of bluebells in the spring, 

 many a primrose bank, and many a 

 ferny hollow. 



The house may be approached by 

 several ways, but the principal entrance 

 is by a conspicuously straight road on 

 the south side, which has a glorious 

 avenue of elms, one of the finest, indeed, 

 in the kingdom. On the same side, but 

 more towards the east, is the notable 

 Belmont Tower, already referred to, 

 which is approached by a very beautiful 

 avenue of limes, upwards of a mile 

 in length. The other side of the park, 

 where the character of the land is 

 different, is skirted by the river Witham, 

 which flows through part of the gay 

 pleasure grounds near the mansion, adding 

 a very distinct and natural charm to the 

 place. It is, happily, unspoiled and 

 pellucid, so that in dry weather water for 

 the house can be obtained from it. 



The landscape features of Belton 

 have been suggested. They consist in the 

 enhancing of the natural character of the 

 land, of wood and water, by judicious 

 treatment, careful planting, and the 

 variegation of foliage, combined with the 

 effect of noble avenues, and rich groups of trees and shrubs. 

 Some features dear to the old landscape gardener may also be 

 discovered, as in the picturesque cottage known as the 

 " Villa," with a broad sheet of water hard by, and in 

 others near the course of the Witham. These, like the 

 grottoes, temples, pagodas, and other varied adornments 



represented, and, judging by the growth, soil and climate must 

 be well suited to leafy evergreen shrubs. These may be 

 particularly noticed in that part of the grounds known as the 

 Wilderness, where the Witham pursues its course, and the 

 yew and box make luxuriant growth. Spirasa ariasfolia, the 

 big summer plumy spirsea., is very handsome in this place, 

 and near a rustic bridge, clothed with clematis Jackmanni, 

 honeysuckles, and other creepers and climbers, aie some 



Copyright. 



"Country Life.' 



THE SUNDIAL. 



Copyright. 



THE WILDERNESS GATE. 



of the gardenage of what may be called the middle period of 

 garden design, add points of interest to the grounds. It is not 

 necessary to insist upon the attraction of fine trees and 

 shrubs. Oaks, planes, elms, and beeches are conspicuous, 

 with groups of evergreen and flowering bushes freely planted. 

 These add greatly to the beauty of the place, with a 

 changing charm, at every period of the year. As in in .my 

 other fine English gardens, box and yew are thoroughly well 



weeping beeches, very pleasing and distinct trees in the 

 landscape. 



But all, as we have said, is not landscape gardening at 

 Belton, and as our picture of the principal flower garden 

 reveals. Here is one of those splendid areas of green turf and 

 colour, enclosed by hedges cut like walls, which are seen, 

 with some varying characters, in many 

 great English gardens. The well- 

 gravelled straight paths, the green, 

 close-cropped grass, the yews standing 

 like sentinels as you walk, each in its 

 bed, square or round, and radiant with 

 flowers, the urns and statuary, all 

 enclosed by the hedge, are inviting, 

 indeed, in the evenings of summer, when 

 the shadows lengthen in the sun. You feel 

 that this is the rich jewel set in the land 

 when you turn to the pleasant prospect 

 beyond of wood and hill. It is a stately 

 pleasaunce of happy effect, harmonising 

 with the house, and yet strong in its own 

 classic character. By contrast it enhances 

 the beauty of the woodland, and itself 

 derives much from the presence of its 

 leafy neighbours. We have often re- 

 marked that the garden must be appro- 

 priate to the house, and if not every 

 mansion demands such a noble Italian 

 garden as this, it cannot be questioned 

 that the splendid enclosure is wholly 

 suitable to the house at Belton. 



The formality does not by any means 

 imply the exclusion of flower beauty in 

 prodigal profusion. As at Belvoir, a few miles distant, 

 spring flowers are greatly used in the flower garden. 

 Thousands of pansies, aubrietias, wallflowers, primroses, 

 and other blooms gladden the eye, and fill with fragrance 

 the air in the opening of the garden year. Bulbous plants 

 are there, too, in great numbers in the grass, making 

 the spring-time truly enjoyable at Belton. The brilliant 

 hues in the beds, the nodding daffodils, the countless 



" Country Life." 



