204 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



undoubtedly singular. Details were drawn from York Minster 

 and from many other ecclesiastical edifices in the land. Rich 

 tracery filled the windows, but it was of cast iron, and many 

 a storied pane cast its glow of colour upon the richly-carpeted 

 floor. The ingenuity and resource of Mr. Porden were extra- 

 ordinary, but he laboured undoubtedly under a difficulty in his 

 effort to breathe new life intothe dead bones of thegreat medieval 

 style. His efforts were high y appreciated, nevertheless, and 

 some were moved to rapture by the wonders they saw at 

 Eaton Hall. The structure had been built at a cost of about 

 1,000,000, but the late Duke was naturally not contented 

 with all that had been done. In his day Gothic architecture 

 was better understood than in the early years of the century, 

 and he therefore employed that eminent architect, Mr. Water- 

 house of Manchester, to revise, if the term may be used, the 

 work of Mr. Porden, and to bring it into conformity with the 

 truer spirit of mediaeval art. It was this vv.iy that Eaton 



and at once realise the spaciousness of its chararter. Here- 

 about the land is mostly level, but where the hand of culiure 

 has worked, beautifying what it touches with the richness of 

 foliage, in variety of charm, all sense of monotony disappears. 

 Indeed, at Eaton Hall, as at most other great places in England 

 which have remained in the good hands of possessors wruhav.2 

 treasured them, many lessons may be learned, and none mora 

 valuable than t uit of the supreme importance of foliage boldly 

 used to impart the great masses which give dignity and reprise 

 on the one hand, and the brighter aspects of sylvan cruru:ter 

 on the other. Washington Irving was used to remark that it 

 was the character of an English gentleman to love his woods 

 and trees. To "build like Bathurst" and t> "plant li-e 

 Boyle" was indeed, long before his time, the honourable 

 ambition of the patrician Englishman, and how well that 

 ambition has bten realised we may see at Eaton Hall. 



Entering, the.i, by the Grosvenor Lodge, we pause a 



THE SOUTH OR ITALIAN GARDEN. 



Hall assumed the fine and imposing character which it now 

 possesses. 



There have always been many visitors to delight in the 

 attractive scenes that abound in the neighbourhood, to survey 

 the beauties of the house and its gardens, and to learn the 

 interests of its stables. When Syntax journeyed that way 

 and how he- did so may be seen in Rowlandson's illustrations 

 it was his good fortune to meet, as many may now, with a 

 trusty guide, albeit in these days the guide may not be such 

 an important civic dignitary as he seemed to be in those. For 

 the guide of Syntax accosted him in this wise : 



" In this famM town I office bear; 

 Nay, I'm of some importance here 

 An alderman, perhaps a mayor; 

 And I shall find it, sir, a pride 

 Through ev'ry part to be your guide." 



Those who approach Eaton Hall will generally do so by 

 the principal entrance from Chester. They could, indeed, do 

 no better tlrm thus to reach the great domain by the Grosvenor 

 Lodge. They are brought to the threshold of a noble place, 



moment to reflect that its picturesqueness arises from the fact 

 that it is a structure inspired by St. Augustine's Gateway at 

 Canterbury. Then for three miles there is an enchanting drive 

 through the park, diversified by many a belt of noble trees, 

 and affording to the visitor glorious prospects of the widespread 

 " Vale Royal of England." This approach brings him to the 

 grand entrance, which is a lofty vaulted portico on the 

 western side. It would be pleasant to survey the beauties 

 of art that are within. What deserves to be noticed is that 

 the greatest richness of handicraft prevails through nit the 

 structure. The masonry work, like the statuary in the garden, 

 and the wood-carving and inlaying are exceedingly g^od. The 

 most capable artists have been engaged on the creation, and 

 the interior is a triumph of skill. Here is an art collection 

 which ranks among the best in the land. Here is a library 

 famous for its riches, and how gloriously those riches are 

 housed ! Here we have a multitude of choice and rare objects 

 brought from many lands. 



We shall not be tempted, however, to enter the hall or 

 to survey its treasures. Our business is with the exterior 



