680 Domestic Istotices : — Sco{la?id. 



space of about 1^ acre, Scotch measure; the soil is of a light black 

 nature, on a sandy subsoil. The northern part of it is quite level, and is 

 divided from the southern by a wall and hedge, the surface of which is of a 

 considerable height, and forms a kind of terrace, from which a fine view of 

 the ruins of the cathedral, tower, &c., is obtained. There are two very 

 good vine-houses, each 27 ft. by 20 ft., containing several sorts of grapes of 

 the smaller kinds, the Black Hamburgh being the only large and late grape 

 in both houses, which shows a great want of judgment in those who selected 

 them : neither has a border been prepared for the roots, which are left to 

 grow in the natural soil of the garden, though it is far too light for the 

 vine, and consequently neither the berries nor the bunches of any of the 

 sorts attain their ordinary size. There is also a small green-house, situated 

 between the two vine-houses, which contains a good collection of plants, 

 consisting of amaryllis, eucomis, leucodendrons, magnolias, neriums, ca- 

 mellias, myrtles, richardias, pelargoniums, &c. A fine specimen of Passi- 

 flora caerulea is growing in a corner of the house, the stem of which 

 measures 8 in. in circumference at the base. This is a badly constructed 

 green-house, and plants are with great difficulty preserved in it through the 

 winter months. There is also a melon-pit placed about the centre of the 

 northern garden, without any thing to screen it from the winds (which are 

 very severe in the spring months from off the sea), and without any means 

 of heating it after the bed is made j while, to make bad worse, the mansion- 

 house shades it till the month of April, The wall trees are trained in the 

 horizontal and fan manners, and consist chiefly of pears, mixed with a few 

 peaches and apricots, &c. The shrubbery is wholly composed of deciduous 

 trees and shrubs, and has a very bare appearance in winter. The fruit-tree 

 border is taken up with herbaceous and bulbous plants, roses, and some 

 fine specimens of Laurus nobilis. The weeds in this garden have been 

 allowed to seed for several years, consequently they come up in great 

 numbers, and it will take many years before the seed can be all got out 

 of the ground again. I can but just say I keep it at the economic point. 

 Few gardens can boast of such a venerable-looking wall as this, and I have 

 made an attempt to show it at the top of the plan. This is the south side 

 of the cathedral, once a magnificent edifice, but of which this wall and 

 three towers only now remain ; two of these are on the east gable (which is 

 still entu-e), and one on the west. The towers were each one hundred feet 

 high, and, when the cathedral was entire, rose considerably above the roof. 

 In the wall are ten windows, six of which (namely, those towards the 

 west) are pointed Gothic, and the other four Saxon Gothic. The style of 

 building on the west gable is much more rich and ornamented than on the 

 east, and the turret still remaining on that side is very superior in the 

 richness of its workmanship. Hoping soon to have something more to 

 communicate, I remain yours, &c. — William Smithy Gardener to John 

 Small, Esq. St. Andrew's, May ]2. 1831. 



The Priory, near St. Andrew's, according to Mr. Cruickshanks, is a neat 

 little place, situated between the town and the sea, and immediately attached 

 to the town. It is the seat of Lyon Campbell, Esq., but is at present let 

 to John Small, Esq.; Mr. Campbell being a young man lately come of age, 

 and not having as yet taken possession of the place. It was very taste- 

 fully laid out by Mr. Campbell's father (the late General Campbell), and, 

 being limited in extent, consists principally of pleasure-grounds. However, 

 there is a small kitchen-garden, and one of the old walls of the cathedral, 

 still standing, forms its north wall ; against which there are two very good 

 vineries, with a small green-house between them. There is also a range of 

 melon-pits, built with stone, and without any Jinings. 



St. Leonard's is almost adjoining the Priory, It was lately purchased 

 by Major Playfair, and is a fine old place, but has been much out of order 



