166 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



surviving son of Sir Montague John Cholmeley, his mother 

 having been Lady Georgiana, fifth daughter of William, eighth 

 Duke of St. Albans. 



The architectural features of Easton Hall, as it now stands 

 on the hill, belong to a much earlier form than that of the 

 building of 1805, but the bulk of the structure is much more 

 recent, and embodies all the best features of the domestic 

 Tudor style. There could, we are apt to think, be nothing 

 better. The large and lofty windows, with their many-storied 

 panes, the perforated cresting of the house, and its picturesque 

 gables and chimneys, are, indeed, the features of a fine archi- 

 tectural conception, and in its spacious and dignified character 

 Easton Hall is very attractive and impressive. Within it is 

 extremely beautiful, and it has a very fine collection of 

 mediaeval arms and armour. 



There is a good approach, and a characteristic gate-house, 

 with turrets and cupolas and an oriel window over its arch, 

 leading into the gravel forecourt, with the raised portions of the 

 gardens on the left and a fine ascent to the upper grounds. 

 On the more level land, near the house, there is space for fine 

 lawns, with an abundance of flowers, and the hedges are of 

 the best. The situation is, indeed, all that could be wished, 

 for the eminence is well wooded, and, by a somewhat steep 

 declivity, the land descends thence to the river Witham, with 

 a charming outlook beyond. The park has much foliage, and 



FROM THE WITHAM. 



is very fair to behold, though at Stoke Rochford Park, on the 

 other side of the Great North Road, the woodland attraction 

 may perhaps even be greater. 



The problem that lay before the garden-maker was com- 

 paratively simple at Easton, but in simple matters great 

 triumphs may be achieved. At the same time there were 

 dangers to be avoided. On the garden side of the house are 

 grand architectural conservatories, and on the terraces there is 

 much excellent tub and other gardening. The blue African 

 lily is a feature here, with many handsome evergreen, bushes. 

 Pleasant regions are on the upper slopes, and the yew hedges 

 are very fine. One admirable hedge of great length lines the 

 edges of the descent to the river, to which we may now turn. 

 There is and was abundance of wood upon the crest and slope, 

 and contrast in the gardenage is afforded by the numerous 

 grass terraces, which form an easy and downward way to a 

 broad lawn diversified with beautiful flower-beds near the 

 water. 



It deserves to be noted that the plan of placing grass 

 terraces in this situation has a very excellent effect, though 

 some might have chosen to give greater variety to the descents. 

 The grass, however, is admirable, and if masonry terraces 

 had been adopted the arrangement would have had to be 

 entirely different. At least, it may be said that a long series 

 of architectural terraces on this great slope might have dwarfed 



ths house itself. These are 

 matters in which the nicest 

 discrimination requires to be 

 exercised. Otherwise there 

 may be great outlay, with 

 results not altogether 

 satisfactory. 



The stairway by which 

 we go down is admirable, and 

 thegarden stonework through 

 out leaves nothing to be 

 desired. Sentinel yews mark 

 the way to where that beautiful 

 bridge spans the still water. 

 This, indeed, is a fine Achieve- 

 ment in stone, and the double 

 arching of its construction, 

 the stairways of ascent, the 

 perforated parapet, and the 

 globular terminals, make an 

 admirable picture reflected in 

 the placid mirror belo^v. By 

 the water-side are walks in 

 which it is pleasant to linger 

 in the evenings of summer 

 when the shadows lengthen, 

 for gay and fragrant beds of 

 flowers are there, and beyond 

 is another ascent to an 

 avenue of trees. The river 

 is canalised, and its silver 

 surface brings a " little patch 

 of sky " into that enchanting 

 valley. The whole garden 

 area is surveyed from the 

 upper terrace by the house, 

 the broad reaches of the park 

 closing a delightful prospect. 

 It will be noticed that the 

 composition is symmetrical. 

 Through the midst of the 

 pleasaunce runs the long 

 pathway from the descent, 

 over the bridge, and between 

 the wall-like hedges to the 

 avenue beyond, and on either 

 hand are all the beauties that 

 can enrich a modern garden, 

 while picturesque garden- 

 houses are there, from which 

 new charms may be enjoyed. 



