44 MY CARD EX. 



give each plant the position it loves. There are probably not less 

 than three or four hundred species of plants. There is scarce a 

 season in which some are not in flower, and mostly this mound is 

 laden with flowers of the choicest and loveliest description. 



Here the flowers of the Alps luxuriate by the side of the flowers 

 of the Pyrenees ; here the lovely anemones of Rome grow side by 

 side with the wild, crocus of Switzerland; and here many a little gem 

 which is heedlessly passed by rustics as an inglorious weed, is cultivated, 

 and becomes a reminiscence of bygone visits to other places. After 

 examining the alpinery we look at the water-cress bed, where this 

 universally appreciated esculent grows in great perfection in pure 

 water ; we look at our terrestrial orchids and violet garden, and come 

 upon the Croquet-ground (plate n). Our croquet- 



n 

 n 



n 



n 

 n 

 I 



ground has been selected for the partial shade which 

 noble elms afford from the sun in the afternoon, a 

 time at which this game is usually played. The 

 croquet-ground itself is an oblong with rounded 

 corners. The scene from it, when either the roses 

 or the phloxes are in blossom, is most delightful ; 

 and near it we have a rustic building (plate 12) 



covered with thatch, used for refreshment when my friends favour 



the garden by their presence. 



By the side of the alpinery we have a picturesque bridge with 



a specimen of Arundo donax, and fine examples of the English reed 



(plate 13), and in the background abundance of foxgloves. 



" Foxglove and nightshade side by side 

 Emblems of punishment and pride." SCOTT. 



We return by the apple-tree walk to examine our system of cold 

 frames, where much of the horticultural work is performed ; we return 

 by the border of the lake, which commands a view of the paper- 

 mill (plate 14) in the "occupation of Mr. Manico ; we then observe 

 the fish ladder and the eel trap, and cross the bottom of the lake by 

 a bridge to the mill tail (plate 15), where a totally different scene 

 presents itself to the eye. The water of the river coming from the 



