m the Environs of' LicJiJield. 3 1 1 



about it which old and lofty trees usually confer. The proprietor has, of late, 

 modernised and improved the pleasure-grounds, carefully preserving all the 

 finer specimens, and tastefully blending with them those of more recent intro- 

 duction. There is a handsome cedar of Lebanon here, which, though not remark- 

 able for its size, is the most vigorous I ever saw ; and a common beech, said 

 to be the largest in this part of the country, about 60 ft. high ; diameter of the 

 trunk, at 1 ft. from the ground, 7 ft. 2 in. ; and that of the space covered by the 

 branches 110 ft. The soil, which is of rich sand, on sandstone, seems to be 

 particularly favourable to the fir and pine tribes ; for, in a grove of the Pinus 

 sylvestris, I observed some trees almost as magnificent as they are to be seen 

 on the mountains of Strathspey, their native abodes. I am convinced that 

 magnolias, and other trees of America, would thrive well here. The few fine 

 exotic shrubs which have been lately planted are in a most healthy state. i?ho- 

 dodendron ponticum grows to a great height at this place. The spirited pro- 

 prietor, I am told, has expended some thousands of pounds, lately, in improving 

 his pleasure-grounds and garden : they are still capable of being beautified; and 

 it is to be hoped that the good work will be completed. 



Armitage Park, Leister, Esq. — A splendid residence, with very varied 



and extensive pleasure-grounds. The family have been long from home, and 

 there is an air of desolation stealing over the place, that I thought not alto- 

 gether disagreeable. There is only one individual employed here, and his 

 operations are principally confined within the walls of the kitchen-garden. In 

 the park, there is a common hawthorn, 30 ft. high ; diameter of the trunk, at 

 1 ft. from the ground, 4 ft. 2 in. ; and the diameter of the space covered by the 

 branches 45 ft. It is a handsome tree, and, when in flower, must form a very 

 lovely object. In the shrubbery there is a cherry, 48 ft, high ; diameter of the 

 trunk, 2 ft. 10 in, 



Beaudesert, the Seat of the Marquess of Anglesei/. — The kitchen-garden is 

 under the management of Mr. Hodson, who has been here for many years. I 

 was sorry to think that this enthusiast in his profession should toil so ardently 

 on a spot that produces such meagre crops. A great part of the garden lies 

 much too high ; and the crops planted in it are every year destroyed by the 

 winds and frosts of spring. The wall trees, even now (May 1.), are thickly co- 

 vered with laurel branches, to preserve the bloom; and, as Mr. Hodson observed, 

 his neighbours in less elevated spots, though close to him, have fruits and 

 vegetables some weeks earlier than he can possibly raise them. After having 

 seen his plots of vegetables, I examined his pine-pits. The plants seem to be 

 exceedingly healthy ; but, as is generally the case, a portion of them is in- 

 fested by that insect called the scale, which had been conveyed to him, he said, 

 on some young plants he had got from His Lordship's gardener in Ireland. Mr. 

 Hodson, I understand, is famed in this quarter for growing pines; and, from 

 the appearance of his pits, it would seem that he is really eminent in this de- 

 partment of his profession. 



On the way from the kitchen-garden to the mansion, there is a very large oak, 

 the trunk of which is entirely scooped out by decay. There is a door, as it 

 were, at one side; and the shell is sufficiently roomy to contain eight people 

 standing within it. The late Lady Uxbridge often sat within this tree, and 

 loved to hear 



" The spirit of the winds 



Growling among its boughs." 



There is a circular hole in the bark, or shell, of this tree, through which she 

 used to place a telescope, in order to amuse herself by looking at objects in 

 the surrounding country. Though an extraordinary tree, it is by no means to 

 be ranked among the largest in the estate. Being adjacent to the house, it is 

 pointed out to strangers on account of its grotesque appearance, and its being, 

 at one time, the favourite resort of this lady. 



The flower-garden is in front of the mansion, and under the care of Mr. 

 Birch. There is much of the magnificence of nature here. Art, too, hath 



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