in Somersetshire, Devonshire, and Part of Cormoall. 241 



several inches in circumference. There are here some of the 

 largest Lucombe oaks in the country, and, in short, very large 

 specimens of most trees in cultivation half a century ago. In 

 an architectural flower-garden we observed a very effective and 

 economical imitation of stone flower-baskets. They are formed 

 of paper-printers' blocks after they are no longer of any use to 

 print from. These blocks are made of the best oak, square in 

 shape, and when painted and sanded they bear a close re- 

 semblance to sculptured stone. All that they require is a frame- 

 work in which to fix them as panels. The price is little more 

 than that of old wood sold for fuel. These blocks are also well 

 adapted for forming the panels to fixed garden benches, boun- 

 dary parapets to architectural flower-gardens, and for various 

 other garden purposes. 



A very handsome Gothic chapel has lately been erected in 

 the grounds from the design of C. R. Cockerell, Esq. It is 

 situated at the extremity of the beautiful walk already mentioned, 

 near the public road, so as to be convenient for the public who 

 choose to attend, and on ground so far elevated as to form a 

 fine object from various parts of the surrounding country. It 

 stands on a terrace, and the principal approach to it is through 

 an avenue of cypresses. 



The house is commodious, and rich in books and pictures ; 

 and we were particularly gratified with seeing the nu- 

 merous very artistical landscapes and sketches made by Sir 

 Thomas in different parts of Europe. There is no study Avhat- 

 ever equal to that of sketching landscape, for giving a just taste 

 in landscape-gardening. It is difficult to conceive how persons 

 with minds little cultivated by the study of prints or pictures, 

 and who have not sketched a good deal, can understand the value 

 of breadth of light and shade, of connexion, of grouping, of sym- 

 metry, of contrast (the most important ingredient in all compo- 

 sition, whatever may be the line of art), and of a whole. Without 

 this kind of knowledge all attempts at landscape-gardening must 

 be little better than random work. Without this science of 

 landscape, as it may be called, no person can give a sufficient 

 reason for what he proposes, or foresee its result. At the same 

 time this knowledge alone is not sufficient : a knowledge of 

 trees and their culture is equally requisite ; for otherwise a 

 design may be made that cannot be carried into execution, or 

 commonplace sameness may be the result, instead of arboricul- 

 tural variety. 



There is a good kitchen-garden, well cropped, and the fruit 

 trees cai'efully trained. We noticed in particular some vines on 

 the open wall trained horizontally, and bearing abundantly. The 

 whole place was, and we were told at Exeter always is, in ex- 

 cellent order, for which much praise is due to Mr. Craggs, the 



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