162 Notes on Gardens and Counlry Seats. 



North Stoneham Park, J. Flerrdng, Esq. — This is a large and 

 ancient park, the Flemings having had a residence here in the 

 time of Elizabeth. The fine avenue of sweet chestnuts which 

 led to the old house still remains, but the house is removed. A 

 new house has been lately built, which we went over ; and many 

 alterations have been . made in the grounds : but the whole, 

 though it contains many fine features by nature, appears to a 

 stranger sadly bungled. Perhaps it may seem uncharitable to 

 condemn a place before it is finished; and, therefore, we shall 

 only allude to one or two points, upon which, we think, there 

 can be no difference of opinion. The approach from the high 

 London road to Southampton shows a distant glimpse of a small 

 part of the house immediately on passing the lodge; whereas, 

 according to every reasonable principle, it ought either to show 

 an advantageous view, or none at all, in order that the first im- 

 pression received of the house may be favourable. The road is 

 so exceedingly steep, that, in many parts of it, a carriage could 

 not stand still, either in ascending or descending, without a 

 stone being put under the wheel ; and this, we think, is a test for 

 trying when a road is loo steep. Near the house, the road is 

 so conducted as to show three fourths of the pleasure-ground on 

 the lawn front ; which, to make the most of a place, ought to be 

 first seen from the drawingroom windows. Besides, the purity 

 of the expression of the entrance front ought not to be interfered 

 with by the expression of the lawn scenery. The water consists 

 of a number of pools, on different levels, one being placed 

 below another down the slope of the ground ; whereas, had the 

 water been carried across the declivity, one grand lake might 

 have been formed all on the same level ; and the effect from the 

 lawn front of the house would have been magnificent. When we 

 mention that the elevation of the house exhibits half columns 

 and sunk panels, after the manner of cabinetwork, it will 

 readily be conceived that we cannot approve of it. It is one of 

 the architectural monstrosities of the present day, that columns 

 are introduced in cabinetwork ; and panels with raised and 

 sunk mouldings in masonry. There is one point of gardening 

 about this place which is highly commendable ; a number of 

 scions of different species of thorn were obtained from the Lon- 

 don Horticultural Society, and from nurseries; and, being 

 grafted half standard high, they were afterwards transplanted to 

 the pleasure-ground. Every enrichment of this kind, to plea- 

 sure-ground and park scenery, is a real benefit to the country ; 

 by its immediate influence, and by its example. Some trellis- 

 work, in front of a magnolia wall, looks like an attempt to imitate 

 the trelliswork in front of the kitchen-garden at the Grange, 

 without understanding the difference. We were sorry that the 

 gardener, Mr. Leslie (who, we were informed by Mr. Rogers, 

 is very intelligent and persevering), was from home. 



