216 



GARDENS OLD AND NLW. 



Copyright. 



THE CASCADE AND LAKE. 



" Country Lift.' 1 ' 



wall, and descend to the ravine, where, in summer months, 

 brilliant masses of colour light up the surroundings. The 

 natural configuration of the ground has made terraces a 

 marked feature of the place, and it will be seen how sculpture 

 finds its right use at points where the slope is broken. The 

 same characteristic of the ground opens out many delightful 

 views from various positions. One feature is the Harper's 

 or Swiss Cottage, which is well seen across the valley as we 



stand by the great conservatory. Another, in the lower 

 garden, is the terrace of the Muses, which is surrounded 

 by beds of rich and harmonious flowers. 



But wherever he goes in the gardens of Alton Towers, 

 the visitor will find something to his mood. If tireJ of 

 statues and masonry, he will wander through rhododendron 

 groves, and linger in leafy recesses with flowering shrubs 

 for his neighbours. Then he may discover a flight of 172 



steps, known as Jacob's 

 Ladder, which conducts down 

 the slope, and may wonder at 

 a fountain like a Chinese 

 of quite imposing 



pagoda, 

 height. 



Alton 

 commands, 



Copyright. 



THE LION FOUNTAIN. 



"Country fife.'* 



Towers itself 

 as it should, 

 splendid views of its gardens 

 and surroundings, and it is 

 difficult, if not impossible, to 

 discover on the heights a spot 

 from which a delicious prospect 

 or panorama is not spread out 

 below and around. There are 

 special points to be visited in 

 the gardens. Thus we may 

 go to the Gothic Temple upon 

 its sandstone rock, or climb 

 the flag tower, which looks 

 over mile after mile of 

 romantic scenery to the 

 distant Wrekin itself. 



In few gardens can tree- 

 life be more vigorous. Rhodo- 

 dendrons are everywhere, and 

 we tread even upon little 

 seedlings which endeavour to 

 usurp the pathway, so strong 

 and forceful is the growth of 

 this leafy shrub. Many of the 



