Flower-gardens at Dropmore. 



263 



materials which are metamorphosed into forms remarkable 

 for their singularity {Jig. 87.), or en- 

 gaging for their allusion to shapes of 

 established beauty. For example, a 

 tripod for geraniums consists of an old 

 cask, which had contained Roman ce- 

 ment; and an old Italian jar, such as is 

 sent from the oil-shops with grapes or 

 Genoese pickles, forms the basis of an 

 elegant vase, which may be supported 

 on a pedestal consisting of an old tea- 

 chest disguised by pieces of bark. In 

 this way, by the tasteful application of a 

 little labour, and with materials worth 

 almost nothing, are produced pleasing and varied objects and 

 effects. 



There is no greater evidence of attachment to a situation 

 and a pursuit, than to be always doing and contriving some- 

 thing. Various plans of improvement are in progress at 

 Dropmore, some of which relate to the more confined and 

 artificial beauties near the house, and others to the pinetum, to 

 a winding avenue of cedars, and to an extensive piece of ground 

 laying out with water and rough banks, in imitation of wild 

 scenery. As far as we observed and learned, the formation 

 of this water and the wild scenery are in a style which would 

 give satisfaction to Mr. Price. Rough picturesque surfaces, 

 exotic plants and shrubs, and the common productions of wild 

 situations, as heath, broom, furze, ferns, and digitalis, are hap- 

 pily combined. 



In the conservatory there is an abundant crop of Passiflora 

 edulis (Gard. Mag., vol. ii. p. 232. ^-.63.); and against a 

 lofty wall are some plants of Magnoh'a grandiflora, which must 

 be amongst the tallest and oldest in England. Near this wall 

 are some of the finest specimens of the StuartzVz, Malachoden- 

 dron, and Virginica we have ever seen. They were magnifi- 

 cently in flower. There is a handsome range of aviaries, one 

 of which contains a number of canary finches (Fringilla ca- 

 naria), to some of which Mr. Baillie intends giving their 

 liberty, with a view to naturalising them in the woods, agree- 

 ably, as he mentioned, to the suggestions of Rusticus in Urbe. 

 (Gard, Mag., vol. ii. p. 480.) 



The Pinetum at Dropmore occupies perhaps about four or 

 five acres in the space more immediately allotted to that ob- 

 ject ; but its boundaries are of an irregular form, and much 

 broken ; and in all the surrounding scenery various specimens 



s 4 



