and the outlines of the structure containing the bust of Earl Charles. On the extreme right a portion 

 of the Scollop Walk runs up to the Conservatories, terminated by a flight of steps, and bordered in turn 

 by an ornamental cupola and a balustrade surmounted with flowers in vases. Beneath the walls are 

 numerous flower-beds, from which rise stone columns crowned with vases, and divided by the tapering 

 cypress. In the foreground we discern, between marble or cast metal vases containing flowers, prettily laid 

 out beds, divided by the descriptive walks previously mentioned. The elegant Humea is supported on each 

 side by marble statues, and beneath the wall a mass of flowers scatter over its face the reflection of their 

 gay hues ; and a little beyond them a fountain throws up its clear stream from the midst of a floral circle 

 in front of an alcove or summer-house, quite beneath a turfy bank which forms part of the terrace above 

 it. This terrace, formerly called the " Golden Gate Walk," was altered several years ago by Mr 

 Nesfield, who then named it, in compliment to the Lady Mary Talbot, now Princess Doria-Pamfili-Landi, 

 " Lady Mary's Terrace ;" and effective and beautiful as it is, it but prepares the way to another and 

 another beyond it. In fact, there are five or six terraces, ranging one above the other at this particular 

 spot, all varying, but equally characteristic and interesting. From this we ascend to the Gothic Tower, 

 and, winding up its cork-screw stair, step out on a small balcony, and the beauties of the valley are 

 ours. The view is indeed striking from this point ; terrace rises above terrace on each side, in all the 

 rich tints of their decorative garb — foliage and flower. Immediately below us, to the right, the dripping 

 or cork-screw fountain, composed of heavy stone tiers projecting one above another from a circular 

 tower, the water falling from ledge to ledge to a large stone basin, sends up its pleasant murmurs to 

 where we stand. A little lower down, we trace the outlines and descriptive character of the various 

 terraces, that of the Lady Marys Garden being conspicuous. At its extremity is a very fine Gothic 

 window, and an iron gate of a handsome pattern, which, at one time, with the large pine- apples on 

 the summit of the conservatories, were gilt. In the background Alton Towers throw out their dark 

 shadows in the variety and irregularity of form in which they are erected. The celebrated Pugin 

 was the principal architect; but the building has grown up under the direction of more than one, and 

 at different times, which accounts for the mixed character of its appearance. It looks imposing from 

 this point, which is probably the most commanding in the Gardens. A short distance beyond 

 it rises a high, square tower, called the " Flagstaff Tower," which was intended as the repository of 

 a remarkably fine collection of armour, and other memorials of antiquity ; but it is not used for that 

 purpose now. Looking directly across the valley we distinguish a series of stone steps, which break 

 out here and there from a mass of foliage as they ascend towards the upper ridge ; they are called 

 Jacob's Ladder. A little to their left is the Harpers Cottage, in which years past resided one of a 

 class originally distinct, and occupying, both in public and private estimation, a superior and important 

 position — a Welsh Bard. How unspeakably touching must have been the tones of his harp, sweeping 

 over the valley in the calm eve of a summer's day ! But the harp is hushed, and the cottage hearth 

 is desolate. And yet, how impressively beautiful it must be when, in the glorious hues of summer, the 

 setting sun throws the depths of the vale into a warm and mellow shade ; when the long, silvery streams 

 of the fountains leap upwards across the dark shadows of the pine, and their music mingles with the 

 gushing song of birds ; when the air teems with perfume, and the flowers in dewy coronets hang their 

 heads and silently listen, as it were, to the ecstasies of nature. A little lower down the valley is a 

 large Chinese Pagoda Fountain, which throws a volume of water ninety feet high. To supply this and 

 other fountains, — twelve in number,— cascades, and the whole demand at the Towers, there are eight pools, 

 which rise in irregular terraces and extent to the summit of the hill, to which point it is brought by means 

 of a private canal, cut expressly from a spring of fine water, at a place called Ramshorn, a distance 

 of three miles. To the south-west, peeping above a table-land covered with trees, we catch a glimpse 

 of the walls of an old castle, grim and grey ; and, as we stand here in the midst of its associations, 

 what better place to glance at its earlier history and more solitary state? 



Alveton, Aulton, or Alton Castle, as it has been severally called, the original residence of the Earls 

 of Shrewsbury in this country, was built in the reign of Henry II, by Bertram de Verdun, the founder 

 of the neighbouring Abbey of Croxden. It stands on a rocky precipice, on the south bank of the 

 river Churnet, and was strongly fortified both by nature and art. From the Verduns it descended to 

 the Furnivals, and thence to the Nevills, and by the marriage of the celebrated John Talbot, Earl of 

 Shrewsbury, with the heiress of that race, the manor and Castle of Alton became the property of that 

 nobleman, in whose family it remained till the death of the late Earl, who was the last heir of that 

 branch of the family. It was battered down in the troublesome times of the Commonwealth from the 

 table-land before us, called Bunbury Hill, and has been in ruins ever since. Adjoining the ruins, John, 

 the late Earl, began to erect an edifice, with chapel and cemetery, for decayed priests ; but he left it 



