GHENT. 83 



to have been the security against depredations or sudden 

 attacks, afforded by the surrounding moat. 



In proceeding to the extremity of the grounds, we came 

 to a small neat cottage ; from the little windows of which, 

 one looks out upon the real country, — with smiling ham- 

 lets in view, — peasants engaged in the labours of the field, 

 — and cows grazing in extensive meadows ; a broad canal, 

 in some places with a single row of large trees, forming, as 

 usual, the only boundary of the place, instead of a wall, or 

 a hedge, or a stripe of planting, as in England. 



A splendid Palladian bridge, having the roof supported 

 by marble columns, and with stone sphinxes at each end, 

 conducted us, on our return, toward a summer-house, the 

 windows of which have the panes stained of different co- 

 lours, — the yellow glass, in particular, producing a very 

 rich and warm effect, from being now touched by the 

 slanting rays of the declining sun, scattered and partly in- 

 tercepted by the neighbouring trees. In a lawn not far 

 from the house., stands a circular aviary, formed of wire. 

 It is about twenty feet high, and perhaps fifteen feet in 

 breadth. In the centre is an upright pole, with cross 

 perches for the birds. The only inhabitants, at this time, 

 were some turtle-doves. 



The vegetable ornaments of the extensive garden-grounds 

 are in general of the most select kinds. The shrubs are 

 disposed in clumps, of various sizes. The American plants 

 are fine, being surpassed only by those at the villa of 

 M .Hopsomere, formerly described. Ceanothus Ameri- 

 canus, or New Jersey Tea-tree, which, in the best districts 

 of England, reaches only three or four feet in height, was 

 here fully ten feet high. Cephalanthus occidentalis, or 

 American button- wood, had attained nearly the same size. 

 Among the larger trees, a fine specimen of the weeping 



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