

252 AN AMERJCAN KEW. 



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AN AMERICAN KEW. 



ON the banks of the Thames, about a dozen miles frora London in 

 a southerly direction, lies the ancient tovvn of Twickenham. In 

 the seventeenth century, Alexander Pope had a villa there ; soraewhat 

 later, Horace Walpole built his rococo castle at Strawberry Hill, a mile 

 beyond the village ; and close by, to the north, is Whitton, where Sir 

 John Suckling lived. Within an easy hour's walk stands Harapton 

 Court, built by Cardinal Wolsey of haughty aud unhappy raeinory, 

 and approached through the raagnificent avenue of Bushey Park. 

 Nearly as far in the opposite direction is Richraond, with its venerable 

 bridge and famous hill, the latter comraanding a view of rural English 

 landscape which, as Thackeray says, looks as if it had its hair curled, 

 like the waiters at the inn on its suramit. A mile down the river from 

 Puchmond, and six miles from London, extend the renowned botanical 

 gardens of Kew. 



It will be seen, therefore, that Twickenham was not a bad place 

 for a suburban residence : the roads were excellent, the scenery and 

 associations delightful, and, by taking the train, oue could be at Waterloo 

 railway-station, in the heart of London, in half an hour. I lived there 

 several years, and know something about it. 



The most agreeable expedition of all, taking one month with 

 another, was to Kew Gardens. In winter, it was a luxury to sit in the 

 hot-houses; in sumraer, it was lovely throughout. You could travel 

 thither by train ; but the best way was to go on foot. Passiug through 

 Twickenham town, and through the church-yard, with its gravestones 

 centuries old,you carae out upon the river banks. Here a broad, well- 

 kept path followed the enchanting windings of the stream, and skirted 

 the lawns of pretty villas on the left. On the right, soou appeared 

 the green heights of the Hill, with clumps of mighty oaks, and the 

 gleaming ramparts and windows of the hostelry over all. At its foot, 

 on the river, were boat-houses and " hards," with slender rowing-craft 

 drawn up, or lying afloat, or pushing off into the current with their 

 freight of white-jerseyed oarsmen. Aud now carae into view the 

 quaint, hog-backed bridge, with its high stone parapet, and the eddies 

 swirling against its picrs; and Richmond itself, red with brick, white 

 with stucco, green with trees; irregular and diversified in outline; 

 resting snug against the base of the Hill, and clambering sorae distance 

 up its long slope. 



You crossed the bridge, lingering on the way to admire the railroad 

 bridge a few hundred yards farther down, reflected in the river-rairror. 

 Between the two bridges are a couple of islets, only a few yards in 

 diameter, but with trees growing on them ; and hereabouts are gener- 

 ally raoored three or four fishing-punts, in which sit patiently, all day 

 long, stout, middle-aged fishermen, watching their cork floats drift 

 down the stream, and faithfully hoping that each new cast will bring 



