102 Notes on Gardens and Country Seats: — 



the nurseries ; a long straight line of tulip trees, and another 

 long straight line of trees of Magnolm conspicua. There are 

 many circular masses of heaths, which seem to thrive here re- 

 markably well. Erica stricta is now between 3 ft. and 4 ft. high, 

 forming magnificent bushes, and covered with flowers. .Erica 

 mediterranea grows most vigorously, and has already attained 

 the height of 5 ft. The same may be said of E. australis ; and 

 all the other hardy species are proportionately vigorous. Among 

 the trees which thrive remarkably well here are, the tulip tree, 

 Judas tree, Virgilia, Ailantus, Nyssa aquatica, liquidambar, sas- 

 safras, and the Balearic box, which, like the common box, is 

 of a much more beautiful green when grown under the shade of 

 trees than when fully exposed to the sun. There are some old 

 trees of Catdlpa, 30 ft. high, with heads from 30 ft. to 50 ft. in 

 diameter, now covered with flowers. Among the other old trees, 

 besides the oaks, are some deciduous cypresses and Lombardy 

 poplars ; but the greater part of both these latter have been cut 

 down since we last saw the grounds in 1810. The poplars were 

 generally considered to be the oldest and finest in England ; the 

 few which remain are decayed at the top, and cannot last many 

 years. The deciduous cypresses are also decaying ; though large, 

 they are smaller than those at Syon. There is a Portugal laurel, 

 the branches of which are 100 yards round at the base; those 

 of the Portugal laurel in Eastwell Park, in Kent, are consider- 

 ably larger. A green-house in a tent-like shape has been formed 

 at one angle near the house; and a handsome rustic shed, open 

 on all sides, and covered with shingles, has been erected in the 

 interior of the grounds. There are various other covered seats, 

 but none of them are good. There is a circular piece of green 

 trelliswork, with gilt balls, which we consider the ne pins ultra 

 of bad taste and absurdity. It would disgrace a cockney tea- 

 garden ; and the sooner it is swept away from the grounds at 

 Blenheim the better. So much for the details of all that part of 

 what is called the duke's private garden, which lies between the 

 palace and the cascade. 



We shall next say one word on the manner in which the single 

 plants, and the small groups and masses, have been distributed 

 over the lawn. This has not been done with much taste. They 

 are too equally scattered over every part, so that breadth of 

 effect in the lawn is in a great measure destroyed : they might 

 have been sufficiently distinct to show the individual beauties of 

 the plants, and yet, at a distance, have formed large groups and 

 masses. We do not object to the introduction of the two 

 straight lines of rare trees before mentioned; on the contrary, 

 we think they afford an agreeable contrast to the prevailing 

 character of intricacy and variety ; but we do decidedly object 

 to the spotty frittered appearance, which every one possessing a 



