74 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



and of E. multifiora var. alba : the latter was still in beau- 

 ty, and formed a compact hedge of flowers ; the former was 

 now in seed, but must have been extremely brilliant in 

 the spring months*. For the general excellence of the exo- 

 tic trees and shrubs, it must be confessed that Nature does 

 much more here than Art. The soil and situation are ex- 

 ceedingly propitious, and this more than compensates any 

 deficiency in horticultural management. 



The principal artificial ornament of the place consists in 

 a rotunda with six Ionic columns. It is placed on the 

 highest part of the grounds, so as to command a view of 

 the whole, and also of a considerable extent of the sur- 

 rounding country. Beneath the temple is a cave, having 

 the walls formed of irregularly-shaped balls or concretions 

 of argillaceous stony matter : these are brought from the 

 upper part of the country, where they are found among 

 the sand. A sinuous passage, only obscurely lighted, 

 leads to a sombre chamber, where a female figure in bas 

 relief is seen reclining on a tomb, in an attitude of grief. 

 The presence of water increases the gloom : a branch from 

 one of the canals is made to enter the cave, and a little 

 bridge of rock-work affords the means of passing it. 



From the size and appearance of many of the exotic 

 trees and bushes, this garden of Mr Hopsomere's has evi- 

 dently been longer established than any we have yet seen 

 about Ghent; and from it, the taste for the cultivation of 

 American plants has probably spread to the neighbour- 

 hood. 



• At the new Botanic Garden of Glasgow, our common native heath, 

 Erica vulgaris Lin. is employed for forming the edging to a large compart- 

 ment appropriated to plants which require hog-soil. The effect is excellent ; 

 and the heath-edging is found to hear being dressed with the shears, like 

 dwarf-box. 



