362 Britton's Illustrations of Toddington. 



amount of light they receive is more direct, and much greater. 

 I do not contend that such walls, erected in less favoured spots, 

 or destitute of the accompanying shelter, would produce the same 

 happy results ; but there are many places affording such advan- 

 tages, where the trial may, without fear of disappointment, be 

 made. To be able to do so must, however, depend upon cir- 

 cumstances ; as it is evident that the first part of the process 

 must be finding an available bank. To raise such artificially 

 would be attended with great expense, and, in all probability, 

 would not answer the purpose when raised, as such bank would 

 maintain a more variable, and, in most cases, a lower tempera- 

 ture, than such as are supported by so stable a body as the firm 

 earth. It might be supposed that such banks would be well 

 adapted for growing grapes ; but, from the pendulous nature of 

 the bunches, this is not the case. The paving of such banks is 

 a very simple process, it being only necessary to cut the bank 

 into the required form as smoothly as may be ; then to pave it 

 with bricks, laid flat, in good mortar: when completed, the 

 whole to be washed over with coal tar, and the operation is 

 finished. 



Thus may be raised, at a very trifling cost (compared with 

 what would be requisite to raise a common wall of the same 

 extent), a surface capable of procuring to its possessor many 

 enjoyments. The angle at which these inclinations ought to be 

 constructed may possibly be of much importance. I have seen 

 them, however, vary considerably in this respect, and do appa- 

 rently equally well. Raised so as to meet the sun's rays per- 

 pendicularly, at a time the fruit may be expected to ripen, may 

 possibly prove a tolerably correct guide. 



Folkstone, June 4. 1841. 



REVIEWS. 



Art. I. Graphic Illustrations, uith Historical and Descriptive Ac- 

 counts, Jo Toddington, Gloucestershire, the Seat of Lord Sudelei/. 

 By John Britton, F.S.A., Honorary Member of the Royal Institute 

 of British Architects, and of several other- English and Foreign 

 Societies; Author of "The Cathedral and Architectural Antiqui- 

 ties," &c. ito, pp. 46, 29 plates and 3 woodcuts. London, 

 1841. 



The purpose of this volume, Mr. Britton informs us in the dedication, address- 

 ing himself to Lord Sudeley, is, " to illustrate and describe a mansion which 

 has been designed by yourself, and superintended in its whole progress of ex- 

 ecution under your direct and special cognizance. I know not of any parallel 

 instance where a house of equal extent, diversity of parts, richness of decora- 

 tion, and harmony of arrangement, has been the work of an amateur architect. 

 Earl De Grey, I am aware, has raised a splendid seat at Wrest, in which His 

 Lordship has manifested an extent of architectural knowledge, and a degree of 



