194 LANDSCAPE GARDBNIITG. 



ciation here. The estate derivies its name from Gen. Montgomery,\the 

 hero and martyr of Quebec (whose portrait, among other fine family- 

 pictures, adorns the walls of the mansion). Mrs. Montgomery, after 

 his lamented, death on the heights of Abraham, resided here during 

 the remainder of her life. At her death, she bequeathed it to higr 

 brother, the Hon. Edward Livingston, -our late Minister to France. 

 Here this distinguished diplomatist and jurist passed, in elegant 

 retirement, the leisure intervals of a life largely devoted to«the service 

 of the State, and here still reside his family, whose greatest pleasure 

 seems to be to add, if possible, every year, some admirable im- 

 provement, or elicit some new charm of its extraordinary natural 

 beauty. * 



The age of Montgomery Place heightens its interest in no ordi- 

 nary degree. Its richness of, foliage, both in natural wood and 

 planted trees, is one of its marked features. Indeed, so great is the 

 variety and intricacy of scenery, caused by the leafy woods, thickets 

 and bosquets, that one may pass days and even weeks here, and not 

 •.thoroughly explore all its fine points — 



" Milles arbres, de oea lieux ondoyante.parare 

 Chai'me de I'odorat, de gout et dea regards, 

 El^gamment group^s, n%ligemment 6pars, 



' Se fuyaient, s'approoliaient, quelqiiefois k ]a vue 

 Olivraient dans la lointaiu un sefene impr^vue ; 

 On, tombant jusqu'a terre, et reeourbant leura bras ' 

 Venaient d'un doux obstacle embarraeser leurs paa 

 Ou p&ndaient sur leur t6te en festona de verd-are, 

 Et de fleurs, en pasaant, aemaient leur chevelure. 

 Dirai-je ces foefits d'avbustes, d'arbrisseaux, 

 Entrelagant en voflte, en alcovfe, en bereeanx, 

 Leurs bras Toliiptueux, et leurs tig^a fleuries !" 



. About four hundred acres comprise the estate called .Mont- 

 rgomery Place, a very large pari; of which is devoted to pleasure- 

 grounds and ornamental purposes. The ever-varied surface affords 

 the^ finest scope for the numerous roads, drives, and walks, with 

 which it abounds. Even its natural boundaries are admirable. 

 ■On the west is the Hudson, broken by islands into an outline un- 

 iusually varied and picturesque. On the north, it is separated from 



