8 Notes on Gardens and Country Seats ; — 



in the same way as that has been done which is at Hampton 

 Court. The vine is in a vigorous state, and has made fine long 

 and strong wood this season, at that end of the house which was 

 lengthened last. I was told there were about 2000 bunches 

 hanging on it when I saw it. The berries were finely swelled, 

 and coming to a good colour ; and some of the bunches towards 

 the eastern extremity of the plant, upon the youngest wood, must, 

 I think, have weighed 2 lb. The sight was splendid, and left 

 me no room for regret in going a few miles out of j,Tiy way to see 

 it. If the dimensions which have been given me of the house 

 at Hampton Court be correct, namely, 72 ft. by 28 ft., it will be 

 found that there are 54- square feet more in the area of the house 

 at Cumberland Lodge, than in that at Hampton Court. 



Hampton Court Gardens. — These gardens, now under the 

 control of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and under 

 the improving hand of Mr. Johnson, are renovating, and be- 

 ginning to assume a more pleasing character than they did a few 

 years ago. The fine broad walks are in good order, and most 

 of them now appear nearly full of gravel, which has been effected 

 by the addition of gravel at the sides, and lowering the verges. 

 Mr. Johnson intends to proceed in this way until the whole are 

 completed. The large middle walk, running lengthwise, and 

 formerly of gravel, has been thrown into grass, which, I think, 

 will be considered an improvement. The walks in the wilder- 

 ness are also being renovated, and, when completed, will form 

 fine shady promenades for the visitors. Mr. Johnson 4ias been 

 introducing as many of the climbing roses as he has been able 

 to get against the long wall, which has been effected by budding 

 chiefly upon the common china rose, in which he has been more 

 than ordinarily successful. He finds a difficulty in bringing many 

 of the showy herbaceous plants and annuals to that perfection 

 which is desirable in the borders, on account of the numerous 

 old yews, hollies, &c., that are growing there, and which, much 

 as they may be considered in character with the place, prove 

 highly detrimental to the flowers. The introduction of new 

 soil for the herbaceous plants avails but little, as, by the time 

 they get established, the roots of the trees are found penetrating 

 through it in all directions, and thus robbing them of their 

 intended nourishment. Howevei-, by Mr. Johnson's judicious 

 management, no doubt all will be done that can be towards em- 

 bellishment, and particularly with the assistance of such kinds 

 of plants and flowers as will be found to be most in character 

 with the place. 



The number of visitors at Hampton Court during the summer 

 months is almost beyond calculation. Sundays and Mondays 

 are the principal days for mechanics, artisans, &c., who pour 

 out of London in multitudes for a day's recreation. On these 



