SIR TITUS SALT. 163 



society, a coal society, a funeral society, and other benefit 

 societies for the sick. 



In December 1867, Mr. Salt was enabled to return to his old 

 residence at Crow Nest. We give a description of the place 

 from his biography : — 



Crow Nest. 



* The mansion is of hewn stone, and consists of the centre 

 portion, with a large wing on either side, connected by a suite 

 of smaller buildings, in the form of a curve. . . . The conser- 

 vatories are also situated on the south side, in a line with the 

 mansion, and are so lofty and extensive as almost to dwarf its 

 appearance. The central conservatory is more spacious than 

 the others, and contains, in a recess, an elaborate rockery and 

 cascade, of French workmanship, which were objects of great 

 attraction at the Paris Exhibition. The lake was constructed 

 after Mr. Salt's return, and affords another illustration of his 

 fine eye for the beautiful and picturesque in nature. It is of 

 uniform depth, well stocked with fish and aquatic birds, the 

 latter finding shelter on the island in the middle. The vineries, 

 pineries, and banana house are situated at a considerable 

 distance from the mansion. We have previously stated that 

 Mr. Salt took great delight in the cultivation of fruits and 

 flowers, but the banana was his special favourite at the Crow 

 Nest, and it attained dimensions rarely met with in this 

 country. Its luxuriant foliage, immense height, and gigantic 

 clusters of breadfruit more resemble those of a tropical than 

 of a temperate clime. 



* Let us enter the mansion itself On the right hand of the 

 entrance hall stands the colossal bust presented by the work- 

 people in 1856, close to which is the business-room, so called 

 because it was used for the reception of visitors who called 



