Garden, which is so faithfully transcribed that any other description is unnecessary ; and a little 

 further on we come to the head of a beautiful cascade, which swells and tumbles over its rocky ledges 

 till it is lost in a small lake below, over which is thrown a bridge, considered to be a perfect model 

 of Southwark Bridge, London. The view from this point is very picturesque, and deservedly admired. 



A little further on we pass some very fine specimens of the Hemlock Spruce • and, branching across 

 the valley, commence ascending " Jacob's Ladder," till we reach a pretty walk, completely arched in by 

 continuous masses of trees and shrubs. There are many of these cool and shady walks leading 



in different directions over the Gardens, and they always open at a point from whence the most exquisite 

 scenes flash out, creating surprise and delight by their variety and richness. There is a conspicuous amount 

 of artistic skill in the arrangement of this effect ; the eye, becoming accustomed to the dark green 

 foliage of the canopied way, is the more easily struck by the sudden display of masses of brilliant 

 flowers ; and this thought forcibly struck us as we reached a dais of turf, and looked on the 

 charms of the Vista Valley. On this dais formerly stood a large Chinese Temple, but it is occupied 

 now "solely by Yew trees, clipped in a conical form. On the opposite side we have a good view of the 

 Conservatories, six in number ; but in the winter, the corridors running between each are closed in by 

 sliding doors, so that they have the appearance of one large house. In summer these corridors are 

 filled mostly with scarlet Geraniums. Fronting this building, and crowning the columns of the 



Colonnade in that Garden, are white marble statues of the Muses, flanked by Melpomene and Thalia, 

 with Apollo in the centre ; and a little to the left, looming, as it were, through the foliage of the trees, 

 is a massive druidical building, in imitation of a portion of Stonehenge. Ascending another terrace to 

 a small verandah, we obtain a fine view of the corresponding terrace on the opposite side, on which are 

 beautiful marble statues of Ceres and Ganymede. The latter is one of two that many years ago were 

 the supporters of a very elaborate marble chimney-piece at Heythrop House. It had been removed to 

 an old lumber-room, and was only found five or six years since, when it was erected on the spot it 

 now occupies. We next reach another terrace, and, beneath the verandah of the Harper's Cottage, enjoy 

 the beautiful and rich scene that glows before and around us. Above the Ganymede Terrace and further 

 to the left is what was formerly called the Dutch Garden, from being entirely devoted to that character 

 of plants, but now known as the Prometheus Garden. In the centre is a statue of that demi-god, 

 and a fountain dashes its jetty stream far above it. From this point a very distinct echo is obtained 



from the Garden alluded to. 



Following the path leading towards the entrance to the Gardens we passed some remarkably dense 

 masses of Rhododendron, which appear to thrive in a wonderful manner ; some single plants presenting 

 extensive dimensions in different parts of the Gardens. When in full flower the effect they produce is 

 imposing and brilliant indeed, every variety known being cultivated. Proceeding up a gravel road to the 

 left, we come to the Entrance Gateway to Alton Towers, which was recently erected at the commence- 

 ment of the high walls which range on either side of the road, that on the right being very massive 

 and imposing. In fact, walking leisurely along, we could easily fancy ourselves before the walls of 

 some feudal stronghold in its brightest days, so strongly is the character exemplified. Through this 

 gateway the public are not admitted, so that this side of the house is strictly private. Passing through 

 a low postern door in the wall, we come to the New Gardens, the whole of which, with the " houses," 

 four in number, were laid out and designed by Mr Whitaker about eight years ago. The houses, which 

 contain some rare specimens of plants, are light, useful constructions, about sixty feet in length and twenty 

 feet wide, with a span roof, and the whole of the trellis-work and fastenings composed of galvanised iron. 

 The site of the Vegetable and Fruit Garden opposite, eight years ago, was an immense rubbish heap, 

 surrounded by a wild, uncultivated piece of land. Within six months after commencing, the accumulation 

 of years was removed, and the whole extent laid out, planted, and is now in a most flourishing condition. 

 We next come to the Conservatory Garden, in the centre of which is a fountain of wrought stone, the 

 basement formed into a star, and the jets representing the Prince of Wales's feather. The Conservatory, 

 also the work of Mr Whitaker, is a very fine building, about ninety feet long and twenty feet wide, 

 composed of galvanised iron and plate-glass. In the centre it rises into a lofty dome, flanked at the 

 extremities by two smaller ones. In addition to the usual collection of plants, it formerly contained 

 some fine busts of Napoleon, Cicero, Seneca, and others ; also a beautifully-carved marble column, and 

 rare pieces of sculpture, some being copies from the Vatican, consisting of Mnemosyne, Pomona, Flora, 

 Ceres, Minerva, Winter, and others. It connects the ground-floor rooms with the Picture Galleries and 

 Armoury, a magnificent suite of rooms, 460 feet long, with windows of richly-stained glass, representing 

 some era in historical warfare. The collection of armour, previous to its late distribution, was considered 

 to be one of the finest in England, and consisted of numerous unique specimens of every age and form, 



