GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



'THE WHITE SEA. 



natural gardening style. Yet it lias the quality of stateliness 

 springing from its largeness of character and long vista of 

 uninterrupted beauty ; and anything which had broken up the 

 garden, as by the planting of masses of trees, would have 

 spoiled that charm. As it is, we look out upon a well-propor- 

 tioned expanse, where there is a due subordination of parts, 

 and where everything contributes to the effect of the whole. 

 And it must be noticed that these various parts of the garden 

 are all satisfactory in themselves, that they have an indi- 

 viduality which is, perhaps, too rare in gardens. Note 

 especially the great blocks of the pavement, and the marked 

 feature of the '"fortifications." Moreover, it is characteristic 



A GARDEN S>HAT. 



of this garden that it belongs to the landscape ; it is a part of 

 its surroundings ; it is wholly in harmony with its natural 

 framework. Here, then, we may truly say, is a triumph in 

 gardenage a success which is not open to all, but which a 

 few, who have gardens in like situations to that at Sedgwick 

 Park, may also attain. 



We have not, of course, alluded to all the charms to be 

 found in this lovely Sussex garden. There are beautiful 

 terraces, with excellent masonry, ascents into woodland 

 pleasaunces, and excellent groups of shrubs and flowers, all 

 flourishing in perfection. The yuccas are a great feature, but 

 it would be tedious, and is unnecessary, to attempt to cata- 

 logue or describe the lovely 

 things that grow in this 

 favoured place. Water and 

 wood, the green expanse and 

 ihe radiant flower-bed, the 

 dense hedges of yew and the 

 waving beauties of undipped 

 trees, all play their part in the 

 beauties of these gardens. 

 There is something very fas- 

 cinating in the zeal with which 

 Mrs. Henderson has pursued 

 her task to its completion, and 

 much that is delightful in the 

 quaintness of many of the 

 ideas that are expressed in 

 her garden fancy. Look, for 

 example, at the picturesque 

 aspect of the green "port- 

 holes," and at the ivy enclo- 

 sure of the "upper deck." 

 To work in a garden fair is the 

 delight of many a lady ; to 

 shape and fashion a garden is 

 given, perhaps, to few. But 

 it would be pleasant to think 

 that this Sussex garden had 

 inspired other ladies to work 

 out fancies of their own. 



