68 



GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



terminating in a small but wcll-laid-out rose garden, 

 while the pond-edge shows a remarkable growth 

 of the water-loving irises (I. laevigata), and the 

 allied species known as sibirica and orientalis. These 

 have crossed spontaneously, and have enriched the 

 pond-edge with numbers of beautiful seedlings of 

 intermediate character. The kitchen gardens and 

 plant-houses are to the right, and a capital rock 

 garden in the form of one simple dell covered with 

 rock-loving plants in large masses. This massing 

 of plants was practised from the very first, and is 

 even more noticeable on the further side of the pond. 

 This is reached by passing round the end by a 

 picturesque old pollard oak, where the look-out is to 

 the north-east, across the meadow levels to St. 

 Martha's Hill. The return journey on the northern 

 side of the pond is still more interesting to the 

 flower-lover. Informal paths pass between low banks 

 of heaths of a few of the best kinds, such as the 

 Irish heath (Menziesia polifolia) and the Cornish 

 heath (Erica vagans). Beyond are groups of azaleas, 

 kalmias, bamboos, spiraeas and others of the fine 

 plants that revel in peat and moisture. Everywhere 

 is evidence of the refined taste in horticulture that 

 makes good use of the best of plants. 



The garden was made under the happiest 

 conditions labour and material unstinted, owners of 

 fine taste who knew what they wanted, and with the 

 willing help of the best of gardeners, who, in addition 

 to a thorough knowledge of all branches of his 

 business, put his whole heart into the work, and so 

 achieved not only its successful issue, but added 

 greatly to the owners' interest during the progress of 

 its making. Indeed, in these few words about the 



garden at Great Tangley, it is only right to put on 

 record the name of Mr. Whiternan, not gardener 

 only, but also his employers' faithful and valued 

 friend. 



The house was gradually filled with such 

 furniture of bygone days as was most suitable. The 

 owners well knew how to do it. Every piece looked 

 as it it might always have been there. In the new 

 library, built by Mr. Webb, there could be rather 

 more latitude. It was a room well fitted for the 

 pleasure of peaceful study, delightful and restful, and 

 a fitting place for its precious store ot rare and 

 beautiful books and other treasures of fine art. 



After Mr. Wickham Flower's death, however, 

 all passed under the hammer. Many of the fine 

 contents gained deserved attention at Messrs. 

 Christie's salerooms, while the house was left 

 desolate. This, happily, was but a passing phase. 

 The property was purchased by Colonel E. H. 

 Kennard, a gentleman who has served his country 

 both as a soldier and as a legislator. Tangley is now 

 one of his chief interests, and to a thorough know- 

 ledge of its history and of its past, he joins an 

 intelligent desire to maintain it for the present and 

 preserve it for the future. To an originally con- 

 siderable collection of old English furniture and old 

 Italian pictures, he patiently adds desirable and 

 adequate examples, so that already the interior is 

 resuming its distinguished appearance. The gardens, 

 more fortunate than the house, never lost their lovely 

 denizens, and these, even in the interlude of owner- 

 ship, never suffered neglect, and the whole remains a 

 fine garden creation, excellently and lovingly 

 maintained. 



J HE MANOR 1-RO.M THE EAST. 



