112 Notes on Gardens and Countrij Seats : — 



which, as far as I can recollect, is not much exceeded by the 

 far-famed orange trees at Versailles, those having only the ad- 

 vantage in the length of their boles; whilst these, including 

 about 4 ft., the height of the tubs, do not much exceed 1 1 ft. in 

 height. This flower-garden, with its conservatory, has a strik- 

 ing effect ; and, at the moment of entering it, my thoughts were 

 involuntarily led to Dropmore. Opposite to the orangery, a 

 straight walk leads to the opposite extremity of the flower- 

 garden, where there is a recess constructed, somewhat corre- 

 sponding in its architecture with the orangery, in which an 

 ornamental seat is placed. Upon the whole, I was much 

 pleased with this place ; and, were it in keeping equal to what 

 it deserves, and were exotics introduced on the lawns, such as 

 are agreeable to the taste of modern gardening, there would be 

 but few places, in proportion to its size, on the banks of the 

 Thames, and so near London, that could compete with it. 



Oatlands. — Persons of taste, who may have visited this place 

 in days long gone by, must view it now with regret. The present 

 occupier. Lord Egerton, holds it on a lease, which is fast draw- 

 ing to a close : hence, perhaps, the little interest His Lord- 

 ship feels in keeping up the grounds. The number of hands 

 formerly employed for the forcing-houses and kitchen-garden 

 alone are only now allowed for the whole place, which is in- 

 formation sufficient to judge from, as far as it regards the keep- 

 ing up of the pleasure-grounds, &c. It is, however, satisfactory 

 to know that the beautiful grotto, which has been admired by 

 thousands, still exists unimpaired, although divested of its 

 almost indispensable accompaniment, the water : inattention to 

 the pipes has led to this result ; and now, instead of the bath 

 being full, and the limpid stream seen, broken, and trickling 

 over, and down between the interstices of a "portion of rock and 

 shellwork on one side, to fill the pond in front of the grotto, 

 all is dry and cheerless. Whoever, in future, may become the 

 occupant of this once-admired place, it is to be hoped, will 

 endeavour to restore all that is calculated to make this spot, in 

 particular, regain its former fame. 



Walton ; Lady Tankerville. — This place retains all the 

 variety and beauty for which it has been remarkable for many 

 years. The fine specimens of plants and trees, both exotic and 

 indigenous, are still improving, and becoming more imposing as 

 their years increase. Mr. Richardson, the gardener, with un- 

 diminished ardour in his profession, still holds on "the noiseless 

 tenour of his way." It is now more than forty years since our 

 first acquaintance took place at Kew, where we worked together 

 for some time. I always feel a more than ordinary satisfaction 

 in visiting a place where I can recognise an old Kew companion ; 

 and, as such, I felt a particular gratification in once more having 



