272 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1905 



evidence, may dwarf to some extent the shaded features. The 

 other portrait depicts Dr Benjamin Franklin, the celebrated 

 American diplomatist and author, and was bequeathed by the 

 third Earl's grandfather, who commanded a Brigade during 

 the American Eevolution, and received it from his aide-de- 

 camp, Captain Andre, "the amiable spy" afterwards hanged 

 at Washington, who had looted it from Franklin's house 

 in Philadelphia, while in the occupation of British officers. 

 In the Library was exhibited a ponderous copy of the New 

 Testament in gold print, by De la Eue, Cornish & Eock, 

 London, a gift to Earl Grey of Eeform fame, containing 

 three hundred and sixteen pages, with notes from the 

 exposition of Matthew Henry. 



As so much remained to be explored, the members were 

 escorted by Mr Mansfield to the gardens which constitute a 

 striking feature of the demesne ; and in proceeding thither 

 noted a Japanese bog-garden, overshadowed by cut-leaved 

 Alders, and a peculiarly handsome specimen of Cedrus Atlantica 

 argentea, of some ten summers, occupying a conspicuous station 

 on the lawn. The impression formed at the outset of the 

 bestowal of an unusual amount of thought and technical skill 



on the enrichment of the landscape, was but 

 Flower- deepened on reaching the flower-gardens, where 



Gardens. the indication of a woman's genius proved 



unmistakable. On the East of a fine herbaceous 

 border lining the walls of the kitchen-garden, has been 

 designed on a slightly raised greensward a graceful rose- 

 arbour, composed of a series of elegant, light iron arches, over 

 which climbing Polyantha Eoses made a splendid show. The 

 lawn is figured with plots of hardy shrubs, two of which, 

 remarkably handsome examples of Cupressus Lawsoniana lutea, 

 were planted by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, on 

 the occasion of their visit to Newcastle a few years previous, 

 when they were the guests of Lord and Lady Grey. As it 

 was the time of flowers, the varied display of colour throughout 

 the gardens was most notable, affording a sense of delight 

 which the brilliant sunshine only helped to deepen. Much 

 could only be hurriedly glanced at, but in their perambulation 

 the party found time to remark the following : — Cupressus 

 macrocarpa (10 feet high at entrance to garden) ; Ficea 



