The Parterre is in front of the Sculpture Gallery, and forms a very interesting feature of this part 

 of the Pleasure Grounds. The variety of form and character of the small beds are generally much 

 admired, being well adapted to render the diversity and colour of the flowering plants, with which they 

 are kept continually furnished during the summer and autumn months, very striking and effective. The 

 plants selected for these beds consist of the best varieties of Verbena, Lobelia, Calceolaria, Geranium, and 

 other gay flowering kinds ; the most conspicuous being the Flower of the Day and Mountain of Light 

 Geraniums, with Verbena venosa, whose brilliant purple colours form a pleasing contrast. All these 

 beds and narrow borders have edgings of box, some of which were planted 50 years ago, and still 

 appear in a perfect state of preservation. The intervening walks are covered with a blue gravel, 

 brought from Staffordshire, which give them a neat and novel appearance. Here are also, on granite 



pedestals, groups of the Fighting and Dying Gladiators, by Westmacott, and Silvenus nursing the infant 

 Bacchus, in bronze, on a circular Portland-stone pedestal. The Parterres are terminated at each end 

 by an ornamented balustrade, on which are placed antique vases. Opposite to these small Parterres, a 

 series of circular flower-beds follow, surrounded by Serpentine Walks, designed by her Grace the late 

 Duchess of Bedford. They are well suited for variety of colour. These borders are separated from 

 a triangular piece of grass by a strong iron basket edging about 12 inches high, on which also border 

 a series of larger flower-beds that form a semicircle to this part, and are bounded by a walk ornamented 

 with vases of various designs placed along the margin ; and on the triangular plots of grass two white 

 marble vases, brought from the Empress Josephine's Gardens, are conspicuous. An avenue of Irish 

 Yew runs along the edges of the straight walk leading from the centre of the Sculpture Gallery 

 towards the Grass Garden, terminated by a large vase, by Kent, and a stone seat surmounted by an 

 open balustrade. 



The other parts of the Garden display equal care, and a great amount of artistic skill and elegance. 

 A remarkably fine and extensive Pinetum, planted many years ago, contributes to the celebrity of Woburn, 

 which also enjoys a high reputation for its collection of Willows. There are some excellent fruit 

 houses and conservatories, containing rare specimens of the choicest plants and fruits ; and in the 

 general arrangement and management of the various branches, ingenuity, energy, and good taste combine 

 to produce the most successful and gratifying results. 



