GAYH1 RST. 



73 



times .in- lon^ departed, and now it is pleasing to li*>k 

 upon the things they have left behind. In the broad 

 and substantial t.i s .ule, wi'h its CUTVed gtbles and bold 

 projections, and, above all, its characteristic Jacobean 

 porch, the cast trout is admirable. On the north side, 

 too, there is much of" the same character. We may 

 admire also the classic feature, on the west side, as 

 well .is those of the neighbouring church, which 



^iu\l by Wren. 



\\'e are here more concerned with the marked 

 features of the gardens of" this very attractive place. 

 \;KT, the poet, who lived at OJney, only a tew 

 miles aw.i\, was in ecstasies with the beauties of the 

 spot. " The situation is happy, the gardens elegantly 

 disposed, the hothouse in the most flourishing state, 

 and the orange trees the most captivating creatures of 

 the kind I ever saw." The (Jayhurst gardens have 

 undergone many changes since that time, and their 

 beauties arc mostly found in the special manner in 

 which the architecture is carried outward, in an original 

 manner, which should offer a suggestion to many, in 

 the dense hedges of yew. The sculptured pillars, 

 with conventional anchors on their sides, suggesting 

 to us the sea voyages of Sir Kenelm Digby, and truir 

 tinials, of hollow obelisk type, so typical of the last 

 years of Elizabeth and the earlier years of James, 

 which have larger counterparts at Montacute and 

 Canons Ashby, rise most pleasantly out of the yew 

 hedging and possess in themselves a most fascinating 



patina of age. Between them, extend long yew ht 

 of fine growth to form the garden enclosure, nit in 

 the unusual curves illustrated in the pictures. There 

 arc also columns of yew, in some places, with ion- 

 necting arches, which are quite striking as garden 

 features. The dark hue of the dense green ion' 

 admirably with the lighter green of the lawn, 

 forms a tine background to the garden flowers. The 

 "immemorial yew " gives, indeed, great distinction to 

 the (iayhurst gardens, and is there not merely in the 

 clipped form, but in natural growth of fine ami 

 beautiful character. When in the spring its "gloom 

 is kindled at the tips," the effect is very beautiful. 

 There are sunny glades and long outlooks under fhc 

 outstretched branches of these solemn trees, which art- 

 part icul.irly delightful. 



But the foliage at (iayhurst is not confined to 

 the yew. There is, indeed, considerable variety at 

 the place. There are water and rose gardens, a 

 fish-pond, wide open stretches in the park, and 

 much natural beauty. But, after all, the great 

 old house, bearing upon its face the evidence of 

 successive generations, and standing in the midst 

 of quaint ami regular gardens, and the masses 

 of the dark tree in natural and simple topiary 

 fashion, are what we should admire in this old garden 

 of Buckinghamshire. Delightful it is to walk in the 

 green gl<x>m of the half-circle of yew beneath the 

 down-stretched arms of the trees. 



77/A FISI/-POHD. 



