A VISIT TO MONTGOMERY PLACE. d95 



Blithewood, the adjoining seat, by a wooded valley, in the depths of 

 which runs a broad stream, rich in waterfalls. On the south is a 

 rich oai wood, in the centre of which is a private drive. On the 

 east it touches the post road. Here is the entrance gate, and from 

 it leads a long and stately avenue of trees, like the approach to an 

 old French chateau. Half-way up its length, the lines of planted trees 

 give place to a tall wood, and this -again is succeeded by the lawn, 

 which- opens in all its stately dignity ^ with increased efiect after the 

 . deeper shadows of this vestibule-like wood.' The eye is now caught 

 at once by the fine specimens of hemlock, lime, ash and fir, 

 w'hose proud heads and large trunks form the finest possible acces- 

 sories to a large and spacious mansion, which is one of the best 

 specimens of our manor houses. Built many years ago, in the most 

 substantial manner, the edifice has been retouched and somewhat 

 enlarged within a few years, and is at present both commodious, and 

 architectural in character. 



Without going into any details of the interior, we may call at- 

 tention to the unique effect of the pavilion, thirty feet wide, which 

 forms the north wing of this house. It opens from the library and 

 drawing-room by low windpws. Its ribbed roof is supported by a 

 tasteful series of columns and arches, in the style of an Italian ar- 

 cade. As it is on the north side of the dwelling, its position is al- 

 ways cool in summer ; and this coolness is still further increased by 

 the abundant shade of tall old trees, whose heads cast a pleasant 

 gloom, while their tall trunks allow the eye to feast on the rich 

 landscape spread around it.* 



To attempt to describe the scenery, which bewitches the eye, as 

 it wanders over the wide expanse to the west from this pavilion, 

 would be but an idle effort to make words express what even the 

 pencil of the painter often fails to. copy. As a foreground, imagine 

 a large lawn waving in undulations of soft verdure, varied with fine 

 groups, and margined with rich belts of foliage. Its base is wasbed 

 by the river, which is here a broad sheet of water, lying fike a long 

 lake beneath the eye. Wooded banks stretch along its margin! Its 

 bosom is studded with islands, which are set like emeralds on its 



* See Downing^a " Landscape Gardehing," p. 4)7. 



