588 Notes on Coimtry Seats and Gardens. 



arches of trelliswork with creepers placed across it at regular distances. The 

 beauty of this lawn, therefore, is not to be tested by the same associations as 

 that of the other lawn ; and, while the latter is to be considered as addressing 

 itself to the painter, the former addresses itself to the florist. The beds are 

 for the most part raised, and many of them have edgings of wire or trellis work, 

 naked or covered with ivy, honeysuckle, sweet briar, or other fragrant or evei- 

 green shrubs. 



Bayfordbury^ near Hertford; W. JR. Baker, Esq. — Sept. 28. This is a 

 splendid place, the lawn of which, and the park scenery beyond, have been laid 

 out with as exquisite taste, on a large scale, as the lawn at Theobalds is on 

 a small one. We have not seen two places so much to our mind in the 

 course of the summer. The house is in a commanding situation, in a park at 

 Bayfordbury, which probably contains near 1000 acres ; and in the vicinity 

 of the house the trees and shrubs are arranged in a manner which leaves 

 scarcely any thing to be wished for. The house itself has nothing to re- 

 commend it in point of architecture, but it is grand and imposing by its 

 magnitude, and most commodious and convenient by the number, arrange- 

 ment, and ample size of the rooms. The principal dining-room and the 

 library are remarkably well proportioned, and the walls of the former are 

 covered by a unique collection of portraits of the members of the Kit-cat 

 Club. The bed-rooms are arranged in three distinct divisions, each division 

 having a well-lighted central passage, as an axis. The division on one wing 

 over the kitchen offices contains all the family apartments, nurseries, &c. ; 

 that in the opposite wing, for bachelors and gentlemen without families ; and 

 that in the centre for strangers with famiUes, and stranger ladies. The prin- 

 cipal and servants' stairs to each of these divisions are quite distinct. All 

 the offices and servants' rooms are above ground, which gives the windows of 

 the living-rooms a commanding view over the park, both on the entrance and 

 lawn front, without which, indeed, there can be no grandeur of effect. The 

 living-rooms on the lawn side open under a deep central portico; and to the 

 right and left is a broad balcony, which extends the whole length of the hving- 

 rooms, and descends to the architectural flower-garden at each end by a flight 

 of steps. The descent from the central portico is to a broad terrace walk, 

 between which and the house is the architectural flower-garden just mentioned. 

 But, lest it should appear tedious to continue a description which must fail to 

 give an idea of the beauty and magnificence of the place, we shall conclude by 

 observing that the situation of the house, its general mass, and the position of 

 the flower-garden, remind us of Stowe ; but that the lawn and its treatment 

 at Bayfordbury are altogether superior. 



A vei'y complete pinetum has been planted ; and an arboretum is commenced, 

 by distributing the larger-growing trees and the thorns throughout the park, 

 and placing the smaller and more delicate trees and the shrubs in a plantation 

 by themselves, which will be so arranged that every species can be seen in 

 succession. There are a number of fine old cedars on both fronts of the 

 house, which have been planted about the middle of the last century, and spruce 

 and silver firs, larches, oaks, and yews of the same date. In the lawn, and 

 also in the arboretum, are a number of specimens of Araucaria imbricata of 

 vigorous growth, from 1 ft. to 6 or 7 ft. in height, which have never received 

 the slightest protection. There are also several large specimens of Picea 

 Webbifl?z«, Pinus Sabini«?!«, and P. macrocarpa, and various other rare kinds. 

 There is, indeed, no species of Jbietinse or Cupressinae in the country, of 

 which there is not one or more plants in the collection here ; and they have all 

 been planted on raised hills of prepared soil, and are thriving accordingly. 

 Mr. Baker has tried with success the greffe Jierbace, and intends next ye&v to 

 make a great many trials on the summits of Scotch pines, common spruces, 

 and silver firs, of 10 or 12 feet in height. Perhaps Picea Wehhidna, grafted 

 at this height, or even at a greater height, might escape the spring frosts. It 

 is interesting to observe here, on the lips of the wounds of the stock in tlie 

 case of grafts which had failed, buds emitted in the heart of the sheaths of 

 eaves, thereby poving that each tuft is an abortive shoot. 



