HOT-HOUSE. 143 



for the purpose of arresting them, and 

 was conspicuous in and out of the House 

 for the share he took in the proceedings 

 on that occasion which ill-advised act 

 was followed by the civil war, that 

 finally consummated that unfortunate 

 monarch's destruction. 



Passing one room, where my conductor 

 said his lordship was at present engaged, 

 he took me first to the conservatory, full 

 of a variety of the most beautiful and 

 rare exotics; then to the forcing-houses, 

 where multitudinous clusters of grapes 

 hung from the roof in great profusion 

 and perfection. I could but stop and 

 feast my eyes on so pleasing a sight, 

 admiring how art could be made to sur- 

 pass nature, and cause this cold and cloudy 

 clime to rival the productions of the sunny 

 south. Leaving this place with a " linger- 

 ing look behind," I proceeded to the ruins 

 of the old mansion. 



