554! Notices of some Gardens and Country Seats. 



notice for its extent and the quantity of evergreens, such as rhodo- 

 dendrons, mahonias, and JRuscus aculeatus, which have been 

 planted as undergrowths. A great many rare pines, firs, cypresses, 

 and junipers have also been introduced along this drive, so that, by 

 adding more, it will in a short lime be interesting as a pinetum. 

 The tower is in the Gothic style, so high as to command a 

 panoramic view of the surrounding country and the sea. It con- 

 tains several rooms ; in one of which, appropriately fitted up, 

 a rich collection of china is tastefully displayed. This tower is 

 understood to have been built by Lady Rolle, entirely unknown 

 to Lord Rolle, and undiscovered by him, as an agreeable sur- 

 prise for his birth-day, October 16. 1839, when he completed 

 his 88th year; and, the following birth-day, Lady Rolle surprised 

 Lord Rolle with the china room. 



Connected with the arboretum, so as to form a part of the 

 tour of the place, is a menagerie containing a rich collection of 

 birds, monkeys, kangaroos, and various other foreign animals. 

 Thus, with the arboretum, the drive to the tower, and the flower- 

 garden, as means of recreation in the open air; the menagerie 

 and the collection of china, for amusement under cover ; and the 

 library and pictures in the house, there is at Bicton every source 

 of enjoyment that can be desired. Nothing is wanting but a col- 

 lection of shells and minerals, for the sake of those who are fond 

 of these departments of science, and this is about to be formed ; 

 a great quantity of shells, and some minerals, having been pro- 

 cured for the purpose, though they are not yet arranged. 



The kitchen-garden was judiciously formed and planted by Mr. 

 Glendinning. It is supplied with water by several basins lined 

 with stone distributed throughout the garden, and fed by a 

 stream which runs from one to another, thus keeping the water 

 always fresh and clear. The wall trees have been all planted 

 above the surface, and they seem to bear abundant crops. The 

 flower-garden contains several acres, and is at a short distance 

 from the house. It is a parallelogram, having the hothouses, 

 &c, which are very extensive, on the north side, with a noble 

 temple in the centre. It is suitably laid out and planted, and kept 

 in the very highest order. The architectural and sculptural orna- 

 ments are vases, stone baskets, statues, busts, and a candelabrum 

 fountain with a jet from the upper part, which rises to a con- 

 siderable height, and has a splendid effect from every part of the 

 garden, but more especially from an upper terrace walk, and 

 when brought in a line with an obelisk in the park which forms 

 the termination to a vista. There is water enough, we under- 

 stand, to form a cascade over stone steps in the ancient style, 

 which would be a magnificent substitute for the green terrace 

 slopes which form the commencement of the vista. 



The whole of the gardens at Bicton are under the direction 



