76 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



from the garden by a flight of wooden steps, which arc pro- 

 bably removed during winter, being intended only for carry- 

 ing in and out the plants. The gardener's entrance is by the 

 western extremity ; and the family have access in a diffe- 

 rent way, immediately to be noticed. The height from the 

 ground is very considerable, the floor for the plants being 

 raised above the level of the first floor of the house, upon 

 two rows of brick pillars and groin arches. We have now 

 to mention, that this grand range acquired great additional 

 interest in our eyes, when we discovered that it was calcu- 

 lated to communicate, directly and under cover, with the 

 mansion-house. This communication is accomplished by 

 means of a splendid passage or gallery. The gallery is 

 supported by arches thrown over the piece of water which 

 surrounds the house, and on the bosom of which a hand- 

 some pleasure-boat was at this time floating with its pen- 

 dant displayed. It is lighted from the roof, is adorned 

 with pictures, statues and casts ; and between these are 

 placed chairs and sofas of various shapes. The effect 

 of the whole is much heightened by means of a large 

 mirror, situated in the dwelling-house, and so placed as to 

 embrace the whole picture-gallery, the two hot-houses, and 

 the vast greenhouse. Other mirrors are so disposed as to 

 multiply ad infinitum the surrounding objects. During the 

 early part of the evenings of winter, we learned that nume- 

 rous lamps are hung, both in the gallery and over a central 

 walk in the plant-houses, so as to display the varied and 

 verdant foliage at that dead season of the year. This en- 

 chantingly refreshing scene can be enjoyed night after 



■olid t.odics, which conduct it rapidly, the intervention of a stratum of air 

 i!k bottom of the flue and the floor of the house, saves the heat 

 from befog quickly abstracted, and enahles it to pass onwards, and he gra- 

 dually given forth iron) the urfucc and sides of the flue. 



