Blenheim. 103 



painter's eye must allow to be the result of the numerous single 

 plants and groups introduced by the duke. 



Beyond the lake, and above the cascade, is formed what is called 

 the rock garden. It may occupy an acre, and is surrounded by a 

 fence, rather too conspicuous, both from within and without, of 

 rude flagstones set on end. The doors in this fence are formed 

 of similar stones, turning on pivots, so as to turn either way, as 

 easily as a common turnstile. We passed very hastily through 

 this garden, but we saw it sufficiently to enable us to form a de- 

 cided opinion, and to rank it with the rockwork at Syon, and that 

 in the beautiful alpine garden of Lady Boughton, near Chester. 

 (VII. 55 1.)* The styles of the three rockeries are totally dif- 

 ferent, though their object is the same, viz. that of displaying to 

 advantage alpine plants. The object of Lady Boughton is, to 

 show a range of the summits of rocky hills; that at Syon, to 

 display a ridge of massive blocks of stone intermingled with 

 vegetation ; and that of the Duke of Marlborough, to show 

 rocky scars on the face of a steep bank. One great advantage 

 which the latter has is, the possession of abundance of stone of 

 the same kind (viz. the limestone of the locality), abounding 

 with organic remains. There is nothing particular in the dis- 

 position of the stones in the scars; but the stairs, which pass 

 obliquely through them from one scar to another, and thus con- 

 nect different horizontal galleries, are very well managed. Each 

 plant has a separate nidus, with appropriate soil ; and the more 

 rare sorts are numbered in a particular manner by the duke. 

 On a wooden tally, 9 in. long and 1 in. broad, painted lead 

 colour, there is about an inch on the upper part painted yellow : 

 on this an upper row of black dots represents hundreds, a lower 

 row tens, and the lowest units. Among the plants are a number 

 of rare alpine species in general mixture ; and sometimes, if we 

 are correct in our recollection, green-house species are intro- 

 duced among them. Where the rockwork is so extensive as it 

 is here, much more effect would be produced by keeping the ex- 

 otic species by themselves, for the purpose of producing a dis- 

 tinct succession of scenes. This principle, indeed, ought to be 

 extended to the disposition of even the hardy alpines, which 

 should have appeared in masses of one order in one place; 

 but neither at White Knights, nor at Blenheim, has the duke 

 ever shown any taste for beauty, but as displayed in objects 

 taken singly. The stones composing the rockwork are a good 

 deal covered with moss, which takes off from their new and raw 

 appearance. On the whole, this rock garden, defective as it 



* We have since heard that this rockery has been removed. We should 

 have been very much gratified by a plan and view of the flower-garden and 

 the rockery at Hoole House, but we find that it cannot be obtained. — Cond. 



h 4- 



