On leaving the balcony garden, and descending- by the steps to the panel garden (a lower terrace), 

 the view is very striking, with the loggia directly in front, in the boundary line within which is a 

 large open space, filled with beds, vases, arid statues. Towards the bottom the steps branch 



off right and left, forming a circular sweep, the area of which is filled with a fountain in a large stone 

 basin, with a circular walk leading from the steps round it. A wide central walk starts from this 

 direct to the loggia, and four grass terraces diverge to the right and left, having the fountain 

 as a common centre. Passing through the loggia, a deep dell separates the highly-dressed grounds from 

 those beyond. This part has only very recently been added ; in admirable contrast to the excess of 

 art lavished upon this spot, is the garden containing a rustic bridge, thrown over a chasm, where a wild 

 luxuriance prevails, as if nature had been partly left to her own dictates, and crossing the dell by the 

 bridge, we find ourselves among great masses of shrubs (selected chiefly for their foliage), herbaceous and 

 common wild plants — everything, in fact, which conveys the idea of wild and natural scenery. Looking 

 from the upper pavilion — or, indeed, any part of the higher grounds — these masses of shrubs are completely 

 under the eye, and it was important that they should, by contrast, set off the floral embellishment 

 within the boundary, as well as form a back ground for the panel gardens and other part of the grounds 

 on a line with them ; and, we doubt not, as they grow up, they will produce the desired effect. 



The lower gardens extend, perhaps, a mile in length, and the two are connected by a magnificent 

 flight of 137 stone steps. The upper gardens and the central lower garden are laid out to correspond, 

 the whole forming a fine example of the Italian style. A stone balustrade, adorned with vases, traverses 

 the entire circuit of this portion of the grounds, uniting with the terrace part of the house at each 

 end, and terminating in an open temple of exquisite proportions at the opposite side of the lower garden ; 

 it gives completeness to a design, which, for beauty and elegance, stands unrivalled. 



Another part where we lingered, with fond delight, was the broad grassy terrace, skirtino- the ground 

 lying between the Italian gardens and the Swiss cottage. This green walk is nearly a mile in length, 

 and terminates at one end with a flight of steps and balustrade to a platform from which diverge walks and 

 drives into the woods. From this eminence there is a vista, its entire length, passing through the lower 

 ground, and ending near the Swiss cottage at the other extremity of the grounds. This drive is margined 

 by parallel beds of Savin, Irish Yews, Arbor- vitas, vases raised from the ground, filled with choice 

 Geraniums, &c. To the right of the panel garden is the French garden, enclosed within a Laurel wall, in 

 which, set in niches cut out of the wall, are a number of marble busts, four feet high. This garden is 

 laid down on gravel with Box edgings, and is planted with dwarf flowering plants, as Lobelias, Brachycomes, 

 Cupheas, Golden-chain Geraniums. — (See Title Page ) 



Proceeding southward from the panel garden by the long walk, we reach the fountain garden, which lies 

 to the right. — ( See Title Page.) This is nearly circular in shape, and has a fountain in its centre, from which four 

 walks radiate, throwing the garden into four divisions. There are, besides, a boundary wall and a conservatory 

 wall, taking the sweep of the garden to the west. This wall is built hollow, and is heated by hot- 

 water pipes ; the west side is covered with greenhouse and half-hardy climbing plants, which have the 

 protection of glass during winter ; the plants grow with great luxuriance, and bloom profusely in the summer 

 months, when the glass is removed. On the garden side plants of a more hardy nature, including Roses, 

 &c, are planted ; and the border at the base contains many interesting half-hardy plants. 



The four divisions of the fountain garden are each planted in six colours, with white to begin 

 and finish with. Each division has its separate plants, but the height of each is the same. 



Commencing with the centre it is white, which is continued all round through the four divisions ; next 

 purple, yellow, scarlet, blue, pink; and lastly, white again, at the outside. This arrangement takes up a 

 vast number and variety of plants, as the height and habit have to be studied, as well as the colour of 

 each; but the arrangement, when well done, is unique and very pleasing. 



Beyond the fountain garden are some beds on gravel, with raised stone edgings, and planted with 

 mixed colours; amongst other, the shot-silk bed is very conspicuous; its composition — variegated-leaved 

 Geraniums, mixed with Verbena venossa, or any light-purple variety— is now well known. 



Below these beds is the Rosery, which contains a very choice collection of summer Roses. The 

 climbing varieties are trained to a fancy iron trellis, which forms bowers over the walks. A circular bed 

 in the centre is in the form of the heraldic York and Lancaster Rose, with red and white Roses and a 

 yellow centre bed ; little lower down is the Rustic seat. 



Towards the southern extremity of the grounds is an exceedingly characteristic Swiss cottage, with 

 the accompaniments faithfully carried out. It contains a museum of curiosities collected by Sir William 

 Middleton, and among others, some interesting relics of Napoleon the First, the Duke of Wellington, 

 Lord Nelson, &c. Sir William has lately finished a large garden for Ferns, and a very beautiful addition 



