280 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



exist. The long green walks 

 enframed with tall and dense 

 hedges are a very distinctive 

 feature of the place. The 

 same may be said of the 

 manner in which the fore- 

 court is laid out, though 

 that is comparatively modern. 

 The approach is particularly 

 fine. The visitor leaves th 

 older hall, and entering 

 through the striking Eliza- 

 bethan gatehouse, finds before 

 him a broad flagged pathway, 

 leading up to the noble loggia 

 or entrance corridor before the 

 house, which was a feature 

 characteristic of the time 

 found at Hatfield and other 

 great mansions. The flagged 

 approach is margined by turf, 

 in which are set the decorative 

 ribbon beds. The fine trees 

 are very noticeable, and the 

 woodland surroundings are 

 superb. What may be par- 

 ticularly remarked of the 

 garden front is that it pleases, as the visitor looks round him, 

 by its delightful contrasts of architecture, garden, and land- 

 scape, the cool grey stone of the Hall enhancing the effect of 

 its green and floral surroundings, and these again adding much 

 to its stately and dignified aspect. Then, again, the noble 

 flowe r border along the old south wall and similar borders 

 in other parts of the gardens are extremely beautiful, and they 

 also add richness and colour to the green lawns and the grey 

 stonework. 



For the rest, little description is needed. The Duke 

 of Devonshire maintains the gardens in truly beautiful 

 order, and the park and surroundings are very attractive. 

 Wood and pasture form that foil and contrast to the house and 



Copynght. 



THE GREEN WALK OF YEWS. 



"Counlt-v Lift.' 



its pleasaunce, which are so marked a note in the character 

 of Hardwick and its surroundings, and, as at Chatsworth, all 

 is freely thrown open for the public to visit and enjoy. They 

 have the opportunity " of understanding a mansion which 

 speaks loudly of a changing time in our history, and that 

 is still the exemplar and representative, in its masterful 

 and distinctive form, of the ideas which inspired our 

 ancestors more than 300 years ago. 



The pictures of Hardwick which accompany this article 

 illustrate better than words can tell what are the features of 

 the place, and it will be seen that they are rich, attractive, 

 and very varied. Derbyshire possesses many great mansions, 

 but scarcely any so famous as this. 



Lof) right. 



THE MOUNTING-BLOCK AND GATEHOUSE 



"Coun'.ry Life." 



