558 Notices of Gardens in Yorkshire: — - 



These trees are clipped like a hedge on the side next the walk ; 

 and, at intervals, there are openings cut through the mass, to show 

 some striking feature; such as a statue on an island of the lake, 

 or a temple on the opposite hill. An obvious improvement might 

 be made by removing this formal vegetable wall, with its em- 

 brasure-like openings, and substituting a more natural screen of 

 laurels, and other free-growing evergreens, A singular and 

 pleasing effect is produced by a steep bank, thickly planted with 

 common laurels, the branches of which are pegged down so as 

 to hide the whole of the ground ; and which are not permitted 

 to grow higher than about 2 ft.; the young shoots being cut off 

 once or twice during summer : the bank is thus made to present 

 a regular unbroken surface of glossy green. The stream which 

 passes along the valley is here expanded into a lake; and in one 

 part, where there is a greater breadth of level ground, are several 

 ponds, of different shapes, with statues of Neptune, Hercules, 

 and other fabulous creations of ancient superstition, placed on 

 the banks, or on small grassy islands. A handsome building, 

 called the Temple of Piety, stands near these ponds ; and several 

 other ornamental structures, such as a banqueting-house, bath- 

 ing-house, &c., are judiciously situated in different parts of the 

 grounds : one, an octagon tower on the summit of a hill, com- 

 mands varied and pleasing views of the surrounding scenery. 

 The walk from the temple leads through the wood along the 

 brow of the hill ; and here and there a glimpse of the lake, far 

 below, is caught in passing. But the crowning object of all is 

 the magnificent ruin of IFountains Abbey, which is first seen from 

 this walk. A bend in the walk brings the spectator directly in 

 front of the ruin : it, however, is not visible, until a door is 

 opened in the back of a seat-house, which is built quite across 

 the opening cut through the wood that borders the path. The 

 prospect which then suddenly, and without previous warning, 

 bursts upon the beholder, is strikingly lovely ; surpassing, beyond 

 comparison, any thing I ever looked upon of a similar character. 

 The abbey, beautiful even in its desolation, stands before you, at 

 the distance of about a quarter of a mile. A green meadow, 

 bounded on one side by a wood-covered hill and limestone 

 rocks, and on the other by a loftier wooded hill and a brook, 

 slopes gently from the ruin to a lake which seems to wash the 

 base of the promontory upon which the spectator stands. But 

 no description can convey an adequate idea of the beauty of this 

 landscape : it must be seen to be appreciated. Perhaps the best 

 time to view the ruin would be at sunset, on a clear, calm, 

 autumnal evening, when the trees had put on their " livery of 

 sober brown ; " when the declining day and fading vegetation 

 would be most in harmony with its fallen grandeur. 



The History of Knaresborough informs us that " The fabric 



