EARL OF CHATHAM 157 



In some Parts the Water is wide, in others narrow; here it 

 serpentises, and there spreads away, as if it was really pushed 

 off by the Hills and Rocks. The Banks are sprinkled with 

 Flowers, which rise up even through the Hollows in the Rock 

 work, as if they had been produced there naturally. They have 

 a great variety of them, for every season of the year. 



Beyond these streams there are always Walks, or rather Paths, 

 paved with small Stones ; which lead from one Valley to another. 

 These Paths too are irregular; and sometimes wind along the 

 Banks of the Water, and at others run out wide from them. 



... I have already told you that these little Streams, or 

 Rivers, are carried on to supply several larger Pieces of Water, 

 and Lakes. One of these Lakes is very near Five Miles round ; 

 and they call it a Meer or Sea. This is one of the most beautiful 

 Parts in the whole Pleasure Grounds. 



On the Banks are several Pieces of Buildings, separated from 

 each other by the Rivulets and artificial Hills above mentioned. 



But what is the most charming Thing of all is, an Island, or 

 Rock, in the Middle of this Sea ; raised, in a natural and rustic 

 Manner about Six Feet above the Surface of the Water. On this 

 rock there is a little Palace, which, however, contains an hundred 

 different Apartments. A particular account of the Emperor of 

 China? s Gardens near Pekin, in a letter from F. Attiret^ I757. 1 



I ORD CHATHAM'S taste in laying out his grounds was ex- EARL OF 

 **' quisite. In the pleasing gardens of South Lodge, Enfield 

 Chase, he designed a Temple of Pan, and its accompaniments, 

 which are highly commended by Mr Whately, in his " Observa- 

 tions on Modern Gardening." Mr Hayley likewise mentions Mr 

 Pitt's admirable taste in selecting points of picturesque scenery. 



About 1754, Hayes Place, Kent, was purchased by Pitt. He 

 rebuilt the house, and considerably added to the Grounds. Here 

 1 See Illustration in Appendix. 



