192 HOBSE POETBAITUKE. 



vateer when on their way to adorn the park of some Eng- 

 lish nobleman, and are of rare workmanship. The lawn 

 in front of the building extends to the coppice that makes 

 such an appropriate setting to the pellucid water. A car- 

 riage-road is cut in a sinuous form through the turf of 

 the lawn, and vases and statues are interspersed beneath 

 the trees. The road leads to a summer-house on the 

 bank of the lake : the house is ornamented with represen- 

 tations of fish and fruit beautifully carved. Towards the 

 lake there is a ballustrade, several steps leading from it 

 to the water ; tiny boats are moored there, the white sails 

 hanging listlessly against the masts. A walk leads from 

 this summer-house adown the bank, the laurel meeting 

 overhead, and forming an arch of wondrous beauty. Look- 

 ing up, there is nothing to be seen but a canopy of bril- 

 liant colored flowers, intermingled with polished dark- 

 green leaves. The walk leads to the point of land that 

 forms the bay on the eastern shore, which sweeps round 

 in a sharp curve to the left. At this point is another 

 ornamental summer-house, but on a different plan from 

 the larger. The lower part of it is hidden from the house 

 by a group of pines, though when you ascend the stairs to 

 the upper story you are more entranced than ever with 

 the different views seen from that point. Every inch of 

 the lake is under your eye, and through openings in the 

 trees detached pictures any of which, if truthfully depic- 

 ted, would make a reputation for an artist are visible. 

 The house is only partially in view, the portion seen being 

 that which makes the most beautiful background to the 

 sylvan picture. The section of the lawn seen through this 

 vista is perfect in its details, trees, shrubs, flowers, vases 

 and statuary, all being in the very best places for effect. 

 You turn to another opening in the pines, and the tur- 

 rets, dome, and images on the house stand in bold relief 

 against the western sky. To show the master's hand that 



