610 Notice of some Gardens and Country Seats 



oxide of manganese, and is much employed as a scourer of 

 oxygen (that was the substance which I put into the gun-barrel) ; 

 and on exposure to red heat it gives out oxygen : so you will 

 readily perceive that it may be found in a gaseous state, also in a 

 liquid state, as well as in a solid form." 



The young men said that the lessons they had received would 

 not soon be forgotten, and hoped he would not be long in giving 

 them more instructions in chemistry. Sandy replied that he 

 would do so, for there were still many things worth knowing, 

 and of importance for gardeners to know, connected with gaseous 

 chemistry ; such as hydrogen, carbonic acid gas, nitrogen, &c, 

 and the important parts they performed in the economy of 

 nature. 



West Plean, Oct. 13. 1842. 



Art. III. Notice of some Gardens and Country Seats in Sussex, 

 visited in October, 1842. By the Conductor. 



Oct. 14. — London to Wadkurst Castle. The scenery, as observed 

 from the railroad to Tunbridge, is pleasing, from the fresh green 

 of the pastures, and the rich yellows of the oak woods on each 

 side ; but, as there are but i"ew deep cuttings or high embank- 

 ments, nothing occurs that makes a very strong impression on a 

 railroad traveller. We leave the railroad at Tunbridge, and 

 proceed on the common road by Tunbridge Wells, passing a 

 number of new villas, in various styles and degrees of taste, and 

 some ornamental cottages with neat gardens. Beyond the Wells 

 the cottages are more numerous, and many of them are highly 

 ornamental. In short, we do not recollect a road, at the same 

 distance from London, where so much has been done in orna- 

 mental cottage building. The impulse has, probably, been given 

 by the Earl of Abergavenny, who has erected many lodges for 

 the different entrances to Eridge Park, besides others seen from 

 the road for his numerous tenants and dependants. Pass several 

 of Read's improved hop-oasts; and also Highlands, an extensive 

 establishment for insane persons, remarkable for the beauty of 

 its grounds, 60 acres in extent, and the elegance of the build- 

 ings. Here, we were informed, Mr. Read was gardener for 

 many years, and invented his very excellent syringes, which, with 

 his subsequent improvements, far surpass all others. 



Wadkurst Castle, Benjamin Harding, Esq., occupies a con- 

 spicuous situation, commanding extensive views over a richly 

 wooded country, the central feature being a long winding valley. 

 The castle is a modern erection with four octagon towers ; but 

 it is being enlarged and remodeled under the direction of E. B. 

 Lamb, Esq., and will, when completed, exhibit a specimen of 

 good interior arrangement, correct taste, and excellent work- 



