

GIANTS AND PIGMIES. 



67 



permission to visit and view the mansion and grounds, we 

 landed and availed ourselves of our privileges. Ascending the 

 beautiful covert way, arched with trees, at the top we behold 

 the extensive array of terraces and gardens. After a walk 

 through the gardens and on the terraces, and a survey of the 

 panorama of the Thames as far as Windsor Castle and beyond, 

 we enter the mansion. Attention is directed to the splendid 

 pavement of Staffordshire tiles in the entrance hall, Minton's 

 present to the late Duchess of Sutherland in return for 

 patronage andencouragement of the celebrated potteries. The 

 library is inspected and art treasures admired, especially the 

 ancestral and other family sculptures and paintings of historic 

 interest. A number of aspirants ascend to the top. We are 

 contented and satisfied with what we can see Avith less effort. 

 A German professor and I direct our attention to the geology 

 of the heights. Amid the profuse vegetation we observe a 

 corner having an outcrop, showing Chalk with flints. We are 

 in the Cretaceous formation underlying the London Clay and 

 other beds. "We reach the foot of the covert way on the side 

 of the Thames and wait for the gathering of our party. His 

 Grace apologizes for his absence, and regrets his inability to 

 entertain us oersonallv. 



36. We have assembled once more. We are in,i.;ed to 

 partake of a little refresliment after our arduous work (?) 

 Looking around to see that all is right, we observe first of all 

 our gaily decorated big " Beatrice " ready for our embarkation 

 — little " Beatrice " has mysteriously disappeared. Looking 

 over our party, its numbers are diminished. Their presence 

 seems to be required in advance. Certain knowing ones 

 decline to fvnswer inquiries. It appears that our movements 

 have been watched from the opposite bank of the river. Two 

 gentlemen appear and politely request us to arrange ourselves 

 in a group beside our launch. Here we are English, Scotch, 

 Irish, Bufisian, Austrian, French, German, Dutch, American, 

 Austral^oian, Canadian, Swedish, Norwegian, Chinese and 

 Japanese, &c. Being brought to order, a photographer points 

 towards us his Camera. This over, we embark and make a 



