Villas. 8 1 



Within a very few miles of Dublin, the dress- 

 ground at Lord (rough's villa, St. Helen's, fairly 

 illustrates what can be accomplished by skill, with a 

 desire to always have a show in the open ground, 

 even in the most trying seasons and in circumstances 

 untoward as to winds and otherwise. The grounds 

 are exposed to modifications of easterly winds, blow- 

 ing directly in from Dublin Bay, not far distant. 

 Yet, undaunted by difficulties which would deter the 

 inexperienced, and whilst providing for summer and 

 autumn in a style worthy of admiration, the visitor 

 is presented in the months of winter and spring with 

 a very interesting exhibition of hardy herbaceous 

 plants ; Dodocatheons, called American Cowslip, of 

 which there are several kinds, I remarked here : and 

 if the handsome, hardy Cypripediums, C. spedcibilc^ 

 &c. 3 be not already in the collection, I doubt not 

 they will be added if this page come under the eye 

 of his lordship, or any other authority in the place. 



Perhaps these grounds are more of demesne than 

 villa ; and still more so are the neighbouring, grounds 

 of Lord Pembroke, at Mount Merrion, where a very 

 interesting collection is shown by a skilled and 

 obliging gardener. 



I may name, amongst villas near Dublin witn 

 which I am acquainted, that of Sir Arthur Guinness 

 on the north, and that of his brother Edward Cecil 

 on the west side. 



And amongst Ferneries, those of Mr. Jessop, at 

 Cabinteely ; Dr. Hudson, at Merrion ; Mr. Westby, 



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