ITS TOPOGRAPHY. 31 



partly submerging the curious structure called 

 the " Fortification." Previous to this alteration 

 the straight cut canal -like branch of the lake, 

 pointing east and west, gave a watery termina- 

 tion to the broad and formal vista from Wanstead 

 House. From a plan, dated 1735, in the posses- 

 sion of the Trustees to the Earls of Mornington, 

 and prepared by a French landscape-gardener 

 named Roche, who seems to have derived his 

 inspiration from the gardens of Versailles, it appears 

 that several other rectangular sheets of water of a 

 similar character were designed, some of which 

 could never have been completed. 



From the grotto the path follows the verge of 

 the lake [near the north end of the lake a path on 

 the left leads to the high road to Snaresbrook 

 Station] and, circling round its northern end, 

 returns by the opposite side, passing the Lincoln 

 Islafid, upon which is the heronry. Formerly the 

 herons preferred the island in the upper pond, to 

 which they gave its name, but many years ago 

 they migrated to Lincoln Lsland, and have ever 

 since built their nests in comparative seclusion on 

 the tops of its highest trees. It is much to be 

 hoped that the crowds who now assist at the 

 spectacle will not give them notice to quit. To 

 ensure the necessary seclusion the path on the 

 north side of the lake is sometimes closed in May 

 and June. To complete the circuit of the lake is 

 a walk of rather more than a mile. To reach 

 Manor Park or Forest Gate Stations, follow the 

 southern boundary of the Park as far as the new 

 road, which, as I write, is not yet commenced, but 

 which, it is hoped, will soon be completed ; this 

 leads to Wanstead Flats, on the opposite side of 



