190 



GARDENS OLD AND NFW. 



garden. The form may have changed to some extent, but 

 the spirit lemains, and the style is wholly appropriate in its 

 terraced symmetry and simple grace. 



Mr. Edmund Tumor of Stoke Rochford, who died in 1829, 

 \vas a well-known antiquary, and author of " Collections for the 

 History of the Town and Soke of Grantham," which is an 

 interesting survey of the antiquities and annals of many 

 interesting places, and contains "authentic memorials" of 

 Sir Isaac Newton, the great astronomer, who was born at 

 Woolslhorpe close by. 



The existing house of Stoke Rochford is modern, and a 

 very noble example of the best Jacobean style, with some 

 elements of an earlier character. The older manor house 

 stood somewhat nearer the bridge over the ornamental water. 

 The character of the hall is seen well in the pictures, and is 

 unquestionably imposing and picturesque, with a good deal of 

 richness and gaiety in its composition. The noble conservatory 

 built by the architect as a part of the structure, and therefore 

 perfectly harmonious, will be observed at the south end. It is 



The house is surrounded by a beautiful park, rich in its 

 variety of surface, and distinguished by the presence of fine 

 patrician trees, some thorns being especially noteworthy. A 

 spring rises near the bridge and forms a sparkling cascade, 

 issuing from the limestone, and herons may often be seen 

 haunting the borders of the brook, and seeking food for 

 their young. The situation lent itself to the hand of 

 the gardener, for there were level expanses for his regular 

 ornamental efforts, and the slope gave scope for excellent 

 terracing. The pattern gardening, with box edging, is 

 very good. The grass descents, by which many pleasant 

 garden resorts are reached, give character to the place, and 

 the foliage is very beautiful wherever we look. 



Note how the sunk croquet ground is embowered by 

 imposing masses of dark green, and you will see how the true 

 character of the old enclosure by tall yew hedges, extremely 

 fine and as good as may be found in most places, is retained. 

 The effect is most admirable in this typical example of good 

 gardenage. '1 here is colour, both rich and varied, and stroiv 



A bTATL'E IN SHADOW. 



crested by ornamental stonewoik ai.d characteristic urns, and 

 its roof is thus concealed. There have been many arguments 

 as to the merits of architectural conservatories. They may 

 not always gratify every aspiration of the flower-grower, 

 but there are situations in which th y are wholly Miccessful, 

 and SU ke Rochford seems to be one of them. None, at 

 least, can gainsay the high architectural merits of the 

 con.-i-rvat ries there. 



The enclosed fore-court on the west front is true to the 

 spirit of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and in 

 the lofty gables and bold chimney stacks the;e is much 

 that is attractive, while a bold (lay of light and shade 

 has been obtained by a skillul grouping of the structural 

 masses. The character of the house is, indeed, both animated 

 and staU-ly. The forecourt is enclosed by a most beautiful 

 clairvoyee, and the entrance gate is an admirable piece of 

 work, while the enriched flanking piers, crested by splendid 

 sculptured urns, are in excellent charactef. Better garden 

 architecture could scarcely be. 



character imparted in a most successful way. These glorious 

 dark hedges and superb belts of trees offer a pleasing contrast 

 to the sunny outlook over the green lawns ; but, indeed, the 

 whole place is rich in its variety of attraction. The sculpture. 

 which is never intrusive, fills a right place in this well- 

 arranged pleasaunce, and the carved urns and vases are 

 particularly noteworthy. They are of the finest art character, 

 with the elegance of old Greece, and are in more c'elicate style 

 than is commonly found in garden sculpture. In this matter, 

 as in many others, Stoke Rochford may serve as an example. 

 No garden that is not purely natural can ever dispense 

 with distinctive features, be they of a topiary character, 

 or sundials or temples. Long usage has sanctioned the 

 introduction of the urn, \\hch is endeared in memory 

 by associations of literature and emotion, and the artistic 

 successes attained in its adornment as is exemplified at 

 Stoke Rochford are proof enough that the practice is 

 sound. Here are distinctions found in very many good 

 gardens. 



