HISTORICAL GARDENS 313 



nor's," about two acres ; a kitchen-garden towards the 

 river of more than three acres, two L-shaped canals 

 with wide walks between, an " apothecary's garden " 

 for medicinal herbs, bleaching yards, and the church- 

 yard. The front garden, with its canals in Dutch 

 style, ended in a terrace along the river. This garden 

 was subject to much abuse by the landscape school 

 of designers. "It was laid out," wrote one in 1805, 

 " when the art of landscape gardening was at its 

 lowest pitch ; the principal absurdity in the garden 

 is cutting two insignificant canals as ornaments, whilst 

 one side of the garden is bounded by the noble stream 

 of the Thames." The writer adds that the gardens 

 were open on Sundays in summer, and were much 

 frequented as a public promenade. These severely- 

 criticised canals were filled up in the middle of last 

 century, and the space is now grass with avenues on 

 either side, and a central obelisk, a monument to our 

 soldiers who fell in the battle of Chillianwallah. 



The statue of Charles II. as a Roman emperor, by 

 Gibbons, in the centre of the court, was given by Tobias 

 Rustat. The view over the simple, spacious garden 

 from this central court, to the long balustrade v/ith 

 steps down to the lower terrace, is very satisfying, and 

 in keeping with the stately architecture. The Governor's 

 house has its own special garden, a fine, wide terrace 

 and large, straight beds, and a delightful red-brick wall 

 covered with trailing plants and fine iron gateway. The 

 old pensioners, in their long coats and weather-beaten 

 faces, enjoying their " peace pipe " and their well- 

 earned repose, add very greatly to the picturesque 

 efl?ect of the Garden, and all its surroundings. The 

 churchyard, clearly seen through the railings along 



