680 Nok'S on Gardais and Cowiiry Seats : — 



kind in one place ; and this principle has been carried even 

 to the smaller shrubs, the herbaceous plants, and the flowers 

 annually planted out in the dressed grounds. The massesin 

 groups have not the formality attributed to those of M. Sckell ; 

 but blend naturally into one another, as first recommended 

 by SirWm. Chambers, and afterwards by Price, and ourselves. 

 We were struck with this mode of planting, on entering the 

 approach from theLondon road. This approach is above a mile 

 long, and the greater part of it is planted either on one or both 

 sides. The first trees are oaks, blended with a few larches; 

 then follow chestnuts, with a few Scotch pines ; next sycamores, 

 then limes, then elms ; next oaks ; next larches ; then spruce 

 firs, then Scotch pines, then beeches; and, lastly, when arriving 

 at what may be called the Park, or perhaps, rather,Jerme ornee, 

 pines and firs mixed This approach has been recently made 

 and planted ; and appears to pass through lands intended to 

 be cultivated, with the exception of a narrow strip of forest 

 scenery on each side. On arriving at the second gate and 

 lodge, we enter the park; where the trees are of about fifteen 

 years' growth, and are admirably disposed. They are so 

 thinly sprinkled, that each tree of the pine and fir kind has 

 sufficient room to extend its branches from the base upwards, 

 without being crow^ded by the adjoining trees. The effect of 

 this is, that a very few trees, irregularly placed, produce the 

 appearance, not only of a thick plantation, but of one of the 

 greatest variety of outline ; a continually varying succession of 

 prominences and recesses, of different forms and sizes, being 

 presented to the eye in driving along. We consider it one of the 

 greatest excellences of this place, that the fir plantations are 

 judiciously thinned ; the trees being clothed with branches from 

 the ground upwards, and their lower branches just touching 

 each other, and no more. The stems of the oak are pruned 

 to a certain height (some of them, in our opinion, too much so) ; 

 but, in general, we have rarely seen plantations so much 

 to our mind, with reference to ornamental effect, particularly 

 those of the pine and fir tribes. A considerable portion of the 

 grounds is preserved in their original wild state, covered with 

 heath and dwarf furze; and this part, being passed through 

 previously to arriving at the dressed grounds near the house, 

 has an excellent effect. The house, to a stranger, appears not 

 badly placed ; but, it seems, since the large lake of water was 

 formed, a very superior situation has been discovered for it. 

 Thither we would certainly recommend it to be taken ; for it 

 appears that, even on its present site, it will require to be 

 rebuilt before it can be rendered properly habitable. A roof 

 so completely cai'icatured by " tall-boy^s," we do not think we 



