THE 



GARDENER'S MAGAZINE, 



NOVEMBER, 1836. 



ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



Art, T. Notices of Gardens iii Yorkshire. By J. B. W. 



Studley Royjl. — Studley Royal, near Ripon (In the 

 West Riding), is the residence of Miss Lawrence. The pleasure- 

 grounds are celebrated for their beauty and extent, and by many 

 are considered the finest in the north of England. They are 

 said to have been formed about the beginning of the last century, 

 by a Mr. Aislaby, the proprietor of the estate at that period. 

 A particular account of all that is worthy of remark in these 

 grounds would fill a magazine ; I shall, therefore, only cursorily 

 notice the principal features. 



The situation must have been highly picturesque before art was 

 called in to assist in its adornment : it is a narrow valley, or, 

 rather, dell, with high, irregular, wood-covered sides, and tra- 

 versed by a stream. Art has certainly done much towards the 

 improvement of particular scenes ; yet the impression left upon 

 the mind by the whole is, I think, considerably lowered by 

 that art being made too apparent. The road leading through 

 the park to the pleasure-ground passes by the side of a large 

 pond, into which the water from the grounds empties itself by 

 a fall of some five or six feet ; and on each side of this waterfall 

 is an ornamental refreshment-room for the accommodation of 

 visitors, to whom the grounds are open every day except Sunday. 

 Several guides are also appointed by Miss Lawrence, to point 

 out and explain to strangers the principal objects of interest in 

 the grounds : this libei'ality, however, is only a small trait in the 

 excellent character of this most estimable lady, who is said to 

 distribute in acts of benevolence the greater part of an immense 

 income. The entrance from the park is by an iron gate, with 

 some low mean-looking lodges on each side of it. As we pro- 

 ceed along the principal walk, there is, on the left, a tall screen 

 of yew and other trees, intended to hide the view of the other 

 side of the grounds and the water in the bottom of the valley. 



Vol. XII. — No. 80. tt 



