GARDENS OLD AND NEW. 



Dorset house of Clifton Maubank, which resembled temples. Opposite to the house is the noble gate- 



and was of about the date of Harrington Court, whereas way leading out to the meadows, with great square 



t" T? i i > i i i r . i 11 i 



Sir Edward's building is of the pure Renaissance type, 

 as may be seen in the garden front of the house, which 

 faces somewhat to the east. It is a many-windowed 

 wall that looks out over the fair garden space, and 

 quite characteristic in its Roman soldiers standing in 

 the upper niches. It would appear probable that the 

 roundels below the first floor windows were intended 

 to be filled with heads of Roman emperors, such as 



V 



GARDEN GATES AT MONTACUTE. 



Giovanni da Majano had supplied to the gatehouse at 

 Hampton Court. Nothing can exceed the charm of 

 the oriels, which, on the side elevations, are bracketed 

 out from the structure. 



\Yc turn now to the forecourt or east garden 

 enclosure, which is completed by a most admirable 

 balustrade, all green and grey and golden with the 

 lichens which have clung to its welcoming surface, 

 ;uul broken ami enriched by corner buildings, central 

 gateways and intervening obelisks and miniature 



piers curiously crowned and overgrown with climbing 

 plants, which are a great feature of the place. On 

 either side of this gateway, and at the corners of 

 the enclosed garden furthest from the house, are two 

 garden-houses which have probably no equals else- 

 where in England. Their round bays, pillared 

 angles, enriched cresting and quaint roofs have a 

 charm which will not escape anyone who sees our 

 pictures. These are, indeed, 

 veritable garden triumphs in 

 stone, and are in happy associa- 

 tion with the rest of the thought- 

 fully planned incidents which 

 break the balustrade. The 

 descent to this enclosure from 

 the house is by a broad flight of 

 steps leading down from the 

 terrace which fronts the mansion, 

 and at whose margin are the 

 singular columns supporting 

 lamps and clustered from base to 

 summit with clematis. The area 

 enclosed has a fountain basin iii 

 the midst of the level expanse, 

 and yews at intervals in the 

 grass which margins the sur- 

 rounding balustrade. This garden, 

 retaining the sentiment of walled 

 enclosure and flanking towers, 

 but with all idea of defence super- 

 seded by the sense of secure 

 peace and easy access, is most 

 noteworthy, not merely for its 

 intrinsic charm and merit, but as 

 marking an historic moment in 

 English mode and manner of 

 living. 



On the north side of the 

 house a garden door gives access 

 to another terrace, whence there 

 is a flight of steps to a green 

 space, in the midst of which is 

 a most beautiful balustraded 

 fountain basin. Along the garden 

 walls are flowering bushes, and 

 climbing plants cling to the 

 kindly stonework. From the 

 picture of the north terrace stair- 

 way an idea will be gained of 

 the remarkably beautiful effects 

 resulting from the stone employed, 

 which gives rootage to many of 

 those beautiful mosses which are 

 one of the delights of an old 

 garden. 



It is not surprising to 

 find this beautiful Somerset 

 pleasaunce essentially formal in character, although 

 so enriched with the green things that grow that 

 the spirit of formality does not impress us. It 

 is an example of gardening both interesting and 

 elaborate, and certainly one of our best illustrations 

 of the period to which it belongs. The walled court 

 and the terraces command romantic views of the 

 glorious country in which the house stands. We 

 walk among the admirable clipped yews, which are 

 one of the distinctions of Montacute, all quaint and 



