148 LONDON PARKS & GARDENS 



from the fountain, to a broad walk bordered with flowers 

 leading to one of the entrances to the Park. At right 

 angles to the other steps a walk leads from the fountain 

 to another part of the garden, which is planted with old 

 fruit-trees on the grassy slope. It is at the foot of these 

 steps that the water-colour sketch is taken. The " eagles 

 with wings expanded " are the supporters of the Lauder- 

 dale arms. The whole garden is delightful, and so much 

 in keeping with the house that it is easy to picture the 

 much-disliked Lauderdale, the genial King, and fascinat- 

 ing "Nell," living and moving on its terraces. Pepys 

 gives a glimpse of one of these characters at home. He 

 drove up alone with Lord Brouncker, in a coach and six. 

 No doubt the hill made the six very necessary, as in 

 another place Pepys talks of the bad road to Highgate. 

 They joined Lord Lauderdale " and his lady, and some 

 Scotch people," at supper. Scotch airs were played by 

 one of the servants on the violin ; " the best of their 

 country, as they seemed to esteem them, by their praising 

 and admiring them : but, Lord ! the strangest ayre that 

 ever I heard in my life, and all of one cast. But strange 

 to hear my Lord Lauderdale say himself that he had 

 rather hear a cat mew, than the best musique in the 

 world ; and the better the musique, the more sick it 

 makes him ; and that of all instruments, he hates the 

 lute most, and next to that the baggpipe." These 

 sentiments may not prove that Lauderdale was " a 

 man of mighty good reason and judgement," as Lord 

 Brouncker assured Pepys when he said he thought it 

 " odd company," but at least it shows him honest ! 

 How many people who sit patiently through a per- 

 formance of the " Ring " would have as much courage 

 of their opinions ? 



