234 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



artistic taste. 

 How well all was 

 done the pictures 

 will disclose. In 

 bringing to per- 

 fection such a 

 place as Leigh- 

 ton Hall, de- 

 veloping its 

 i n d i v i d u a 1 

 character, and 

 surrounding it 

 uithgardenslike 

 these, many 

 qualities were 

 called for, but 

 the chiefest of 

 them was love 

 tor the higher 

 forms of art, and 

 the resolve to 

 givesplenduur to 

 the dwelling. 



A re hitec- 

 turally, i.eighton 

 Hall is imposing 



and stately. It is well and substantially built of stone, in a 

 tasteful adaptation of the mediaeval style of the fourteenth 

 century, with tall gables and mullioned windows, and covers an 

 ample space of ground. There rises from it a lofty octagonal 

 buttressed tower, \\ iih an embattlement, somewhat ecclesiastical 

 perhaps in its character, and having a turret and a gallery for the 

 outlook. There is much to survey in this romantic val. j , and 

 the tower promise-; to those who climb a truly glorious prospect. 

 Within, of course, the house is choice and beautiful in design 

 and plenishings, and is somewhat famous for its pictures and 



THE EAST TBRRACE FROA\ THE SOUTH-EAST. 



other art 

 treasures. With- 

 out are the 

 arti stically at- 

 tractive gardens, 

 \v h i c h a r e 

 mainly our sub- 

 j ect. Such a 

 house demanded 

 beautiful grounds 

 for its comple- 

 ment, and it is 

 deserving of note 

 thatthe harmony 

 between the 

 mansion and its 

 surroundings is 

 such as we 

 should desire. 

 The opportuni- 

 ties were many, 

 and they have 

 been well used. 

 An undulating 

 space at the loot 

 of the hills 

 suggested special treatment, .<nd gave unusual opportunities 

 to the garden architect. It was decided, for the convenience 

 of the ways, and also, we may suspect, for the stronger 

 character of the gardens, that the hollows should be 

 spanned by bridges. The Lion Bridge illustrates the 

 style of work, and alike in solidity and elegance is admirable. 

 Its buttressed piers rise from a sylvan dell, and carry a 

 roadway fl.inked by a balustrade, and having pleasant seats 

 for those who would linger thereby. Those who would 

 descend may do so by a simple but truly admirable stairway, 



THE SOUTH-EAST TBRRACE. 



