278 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



Marie-Antoinette, and now appropriated as the rural pa- 

 lace of the King of the Netherlands,, during the period of 

 the Court being held at Brussels. We were very frankly 

 admitted at the outer gate, the porter, on recognizing our 

 country, politely intimating, that " des Anglais peuvent 

 aller pai'tout." As we were passing the guard-house in 

 advancing towards the palace, a Qui vive ? announced the 

 arrival of the King ; the guard turned out ; and presently 

 a very plain coach and four drove up, wholly unattended. 

 His Majesty was accompanied merely by a military officer, 

 who sat on his left hand. We of course lifted our hats, 

 and our salute was graciously returned. Having procured 

 one of the attendants in royal livery to accompany us, we 

 walked down the beautiful sloping lawn formerly mention- 

 ed, towards the lake. Here formal clumps of trees and 

 shrubs had been planted ; but these having been neglected, 

 are beginning to assume a natural character. The addition 

 of some scattered evergreens and weeping birches would 

 greatly improve the scenery. Still these grounds are certain- 

 ly very fine, even in their present state, when nature evident- 

 ly does much more for them than art. The soil is a rich yel- 

 low loam, very different in quality from any which we had 

 hitherto seen on the Continent. On this strong and rich soil 

 many kinds of trees grow most luxuriantly. The walks are 

 laid with akind of rotten rock, apparently amygdaloidal trap- 

 tuff much weathered, which makes a tolerably good sub- 

 stitute for gravel. The situation of the palace is exquisite ; 

 on an eminence, with gentle declivities around, — richly ver- 

 dant lawns — groves — woods — water — cottages and a wind- 

 mill, some way off, — and the turrets of Brussels in the dis- 

 tance. Our embroidered guide expressed regret that we 

 could not see the Palace, on account of the King's return; 

 .ind he tried to dissuade us from visiting the fruit and 

 Ut'lmi garden, declaring that it contained nothing worth 



