114 Notes on Gardens and Country Seats : — 



have enjoyed had there been time to have walked deliberately 

 through this delightful and beautiful place. Elevated as it is, 

 the prospects are extensive, over a fine tract of country ; whilst 

 in its internal arrangements there is every thing that is calcu- 

 lated to yield satisfaction and delight. Although quite a stranger, 

 I was very kindly received by Mr. Stucker, the gardener, who 

 has now, for about thirty years, had the management of the 

 gardens. Being afflicted with the rheumatism, he kindly sent 

 his son to show me through the grounds, which every where 

 indicated care and attention, with a neatness which is seldom 

 surpassed. The walks are numerous and diversified, displaying, 

 at the same time, taste blended with variety. There are several 

 erections in the pleasure ground, one of which is named the 

 " Temple of Friendship," in which is a fine bust of the late 

 Mr. Fox, and also one of Lord Holland. On the lawn I ob- 

 served a fine specimen of the Taxodium distichum (deciduous 

 cypress), about 30 ft. high. In a glass-fronted house, there are 

 some of the finest specimens of camellias, in tubs, I ever saw : 

 one of the striped reached to the top of the house, about 16 ft. 

 high, with its top bent down, which is preferred to shortening 

 it. There is also a very fine plant of the double white, with 

 many others, all in a fine thriving state, with deep green foliage. 

 The house they are in has a flat opaque roof, where they re- 

 main throughout the year, and which is devoted entirely to 

 camellias. Mrs. Fox, now (1836) in her eighty-ninth year, still 

 enjoys the variety that the place is so highly capable of yielding, 

 by being drawn round the grounds, in fine weather, by one of 

 the domestics. 



Copse Hilt, Wimbledon ; Lord CottenJiam. — This residence 

 is situated on the left of the road leading from Wimbledon 

 Common to Kingston, via Coombe Wood ; and stands on high 

 ground, overlooking a large tract of country towards the south- 

 west: hence the trees on the lawn, near the house, consisting 

 of the cedar of Lebanon, tulip tree, &c., wear a less luxuriant 

 appearance than hi many situations less exposed. The mansion 

 has a conservatory attached, and a flower-garden in front, laid 

 out in beds on the turf. Improvement is necessary to make this 

 garden more agreeable to taste, as well as convenient for keep- 

 ing it in order. The kitchen-garden would be an excellent one 

 were it walled round, and a cross wall built through the centre; 

 but, being deficient of these, less interest is felt in walking 

 through it. It is situated at a considerable distance from the 

 house, which makes it rather inconvenient ; but its being placed 

 in the lower part of the grounds, and sheltered on the north, 

 renders it excellent for vegetation. Proceeding from the kitchen- 

 garden to the house, the walk leads through a very interesting 

 piece of lawn and shrubbery, where rhododendrons, and other 



