September 21, 1876. ] 



JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



263 



and trees ; and the visitor, instead of having his standpoint 

 almost within cannon shot of London, may imagine himself as 

 being a hundred miles distant from any " murky town." This 

 marginal walk conducts us from the house to the deer park, a 

 small enclosure stocked with handsome specimens of fleet and 

 timid animals. In this enclosure is a Cork Tree (Quercus 

 suber) 50 feet high, and a trunk girthing 9 feet. 



From this park we reach the lake. At its end is an island 

 on which, nestling amongBt the trees, is an " old ruin," which 

 the "guide," with an air of delicious nonchalance, suggested 

 " might have had something to do with the monks," but after 

 a glance at the arches, &e., he received a reply, " and it might 

 not." It appears, however, that it was used as a Catholic 

 chapel by the Prince of Conde. The dimensions of the ruin 

 are 20 feet by 12 feet inside measure. The lake is also in a 

 great measure artificial. It is about seven acres in extent, and 

 is highly ornamental both by its form and surroundings and 



the great variety of fancy waterfowls which adorn its surface. 

 This lake has been formed by holding up the water in one of 

 large gullies. The embankment is rather a formidable affair, 

 exceeding 100 yards in length, and is of great substance. Its 

 slope to the lower ground is very deep, and is planted with trees, 

 and between these and the water is a broad velvety promenade 

 of perfectly kept lawn. No part of the grounds is more attrac- 

 tive than this cool and secluded retreat. By the margin of this 

 lake is a remarkable example of an Ivy-clad Oak. This tree, 

 roughly girthed, measures 27 feet round its stem at i feet from 

 the ground, and resembles a gigantic Ivy bush, for not only is 

 every branch of the tree densely enveloped with Ivy, but it 

 towers aloft far above the Oak in massive clusters. The Oak 

 is so completely hidden that only two tiny sprays of it are to 

 be seen, and these are perfectly healthy. In striking contrast 

 to the dark drapery of this venerable monaroh is a contiguous 

 specimen of Catalpa syringasfolia with cheerful, large, light 



Fig. 36. — Wimbledon house— The flower garden. 



green foliage. This also is a large tree, and is rendered the 

 more ornamental by its thousands of seed pods, almost exactly 

 resembling those of Vanilla aromatioa. The Catalpa is a noble 

 tree, hardy, distinct, and attractive, and it is a little surprising 

 that it is not more freely planted in pleasure grounds. The 

 golden-leaved variety of it is very conBpiouous ; young plants 

 may now be seen doing good service in Battersea Park. 



Passing by other lakes and other islands we arrive at a 

 grotto whioh the " guide " might well have suggested that it 

 " might have had something to do with the elves and fairieB." 

 This is a small but wonderful work of art, and in its con- 

 struction and ornamentation much patience, taste, and labour 

 have been exercised. Tens of thousands of shells adorn its 

 roof and clothe the stalactitic protuberances which descend 

 from it. The sides are rugged and made to form miniature 

 caverns, out of one of which a crooodile protrudes its ugly 

 head. Mirrors are placed in corners to resemble water, and in 

 the subdued light — for light is admitted only by the door— the 

 effect produced is such as to startle the visitor seeing it for 

 the first time, and to extort from him the spontaneous ex- 

 clamation, " How very singular and beautiful it is !" It is 

 worthy of note and inspection. 



From this point we return homewards through a grove of 

 Wellingtonias alternately planted with Evergreen Oaks, the 

 latter having been raised from acorns gathered and sown by 



Sir Henry Peek. The Wellingtonias are large and healthy 

 specimens, and similarly fine are other Conifers in this grove, 

 such as Thujopsis borealis, CupresBuses, and Biotas. In all 

 probability several of these handsome shrubs will be removed 

 to Sir Henry Peek's new residence which is now being erected 

 in Devonshire. We have now completed the circle of this 

 ornamental park, all round which the walks, grass verges, and 

 lawns are well kept, and arrive at the gardens. 



The first department to notioe is the flower garden. This 

 is of considerable size, and is perfectly unlike the modern 

 flower gardens which are laid out in the present day. There 

 are no formal designs described on geometrical principles, no 

 spar, no Box edging, no unbroken glare of colour, no same- 

 ness to tire, no crowding to incommode. This garden was 

 originally formed by Mrs. Marryatt, and happily it has been 

 preserved in its integrity, and has not been defaced by " im- 

 provements" destroying its original character. Slight additions 

 and alterations have been made, but they have been made with 

 good judgment and taste. The modern has been blended 

 with the ancient, the present added to the past, but in such a 

 manner as to be subservient to the original plan — if plan it is 

 — and not overpowering it by a violent display of the floral 

 fashion of the hour. No small moral courage would be re- 

 quisite to form a flower garden after this style now-a-days, 

 bat where such a, garden exists it would be little short of 



