132 HemarTcahle Trees at MamJiead. 



and 30 ft. broad, having no support or protection in any manner, 

 I have never seen anything of the kind that can at all be com- 

 pared with them. 



And, now, I am fearful you will consider my account a tedious 

 one, although it is a subject that I feel a strong inclination to 

 extend to a much greater length, more particularly as these fine 

 trees were planted by my grandfather, the late Mr. Lucombe 

 (the raiser of the Lucombe oak, and the founder of this nur- 

 sery), who lived gardener, for many years, to the above-men- 

 tioned Thos. Ball, Esq., of Mamhead. I will, therefore, conclude 

 with these observations, that I have been assisted (with Mr. 

 Newman's kind permission) by Mr. Willis, the intelligent and 

 eminently successful gardener at Mamhead ; and that we have 

 estimated the dimensions of all rather less than above their real 

 growth. 



If you consider these remarks worth your insertion, I shall 

 have much pleasure in again sending farther notices of our De- 

 vonshire trees. 



TLxeter Niirsery, Jan. 1. 1835. 



Such communications as the above are exceedingly interest- 

 ing to us ; and, as we believe they are so, also, to most of our 

 readers, we shall be happy to hear again from Mr. Pince, arid 

 to receive similar accounts from all quarters. 



To Mr. Pince's account it may be interesting to add the fol- 

 lowing description of Mamhead, from the second volume of 

 Polwhele's History of Devonshire, published in 1793 : — 



" The woods and plantations of Mamhead are numerous and extensive. 

 Many of the trees of which they are composed were introduced by Mr. Thos. 

 Ball, the last of that family ; who, on returning from the Continent, brought 

 with him a quantity of cork, trees, ilices, wainscot oaks, Spanish chestnuts, 

 acacias, cedars, and other species of exotic trees. With these he embellished 

 the boldly swelling grounds at Mamhead ; yet, according to the taste of the 

 times, he either introduced or preserved the formalities of enclosing walls, geo- 

 metrical gardens, and parallel terraces. Most of these incongruities existed 

 when the late Lord Lisburne came to the estate ; who soon engaged in the 

 arduous and expensive task of restoring the ground to what, he presumed, it 

 was before. This has been effectually done; and Mamhead now appears as 

 one natural and extensive enclosure, with various prospects of sea, river, and 

 country. Towards Haldon, the most beautiful plantations of the finest forest 

 trees in Devonshire are crowned, at the top of the hill, by a noble obelisk, 

 which was built by the last Mr. Ball. This obelisk, which stands on Mamhead 

 Point, consists of Portland stone, and is about 100 ft. in height. In front of 

 the house, we cannot but admire the easy swell of the lawn, whose smooth 

 verdure is relieved by groups of trees and shrubs most judiciously disposed; 

 while, at one extremity, the eye is attracted by Gen. Vaughan's picturesque 

 cottage, and, a little beyond these grounds, by a landscape which no scenery 

 in this country exceeds in richness. On this side of the Exe are to be seen 

 the ancient castle and possessions of Courtenay, and Kenton, and the village 

 of Starcross ; on the other side, Exmouth, Lympstone, Nutwell, and the 

 Retreat, with the country stretching away to the Dorsetshire and Somerset- 

 shire hills. In the mean time, the river itself, and the sea in full prospect, 

 give an additional beauty to the scenes I have described." {Folwhele's Devon- 

 skire^ii. 156.) 



