Conservatory it is crossed by a broad gravel walk leading to that building, and flanked by small cypher 

 beds planted with dwarf flowers and the graceful humea, and then sweeping onwards down the face of 

 a hill seems to lose itself amongst masses of variegated shrubbery. 



The Conservatory, a most striking and commanding building, was erected three years ago, at a cost 

 of nearly £10,000. It is of a mixed kind of architecture, partaking both of the Gothic and Moorish 

 styles. Two domes, or cupolas, each 60 feet high, rise from the body of the building, which is 

 160 feet long, by 75 feet wide. The principal part of the skeleton is composed of cast iron, with 

 wrought-iron ribs and girders, the sash-work being of wood. Hollow columns support the span-roof 

 and carry off the water, and the whole is ventilated by sashes regulated by ornamental chain baskets. 

 It is used chiefly as a winter garden, and for the cultivation of bulbous plants, and about the time of 

 Christmas, when those rich flowers, with great quantities of azalias, camellias, ericas, rhododendrons, and 

 several varieties of creepers, with numerous other plants, are in full bloom, the appearance of the 

 interior is remarkably beautiful and imposing. It is surrounded by broad gravel walks, on the borders 

 of which are placed, in large moveable tubs, several sweet-bays, trained to represent orange trees. 

 There are also some antique vases, chiefly in terra cotta, on pedestals, and down a walk extending 

 from the centre facing the Hall are similar ornaments, a small fountain (dolphins) and copies of the 

 celebrated Warwick vase. On the summit of the hill, exactly above the Conservatory, are two pairs of eagles, 

 and a couple of horned owls, inclosed in an iron cage with a rock-work column, in which recesses are 

 made for their retreat. From this point, or rather a little below it, a most excellent view of the 

 Gardens, Conservatory, the Church, just peeping through the trees, and surrounding country is obtained. 

 To the left, in a hollow, is a small lake which seems never free from the noise and bustling gaiety of 

 great quantities of wild fowl ; and on its margin stands, half withered and alone, a picturesque and ancient 

 oak. To the right extends a deep fringe of large forest trees and evergreens, with borders of flowers ; 

 and immediately behind the fountain is a handsome purple beech, and a fine horse-chesnut tree. 

 These two trees, towering from the midst of clusters of brilliant flower-beds and the undulating carpet 

 of fine turf, are noble features in this scene, and give more than common interest to its beautiful 

 and expressive character. 



On the opposite side of this line of trees stands the Museum, a small Gothic building, containing 

 many valuable specimens of natural history, and other interesting objects. Facing it are some fine 

 groups of beech and lime trees, whose lower branches rest on and spread a considerable distance over the 

 surface of the soil — a circumstance attributable, we were told, to the horizontal direction taken by the roots from 

 being unable to penetrate the strata of hard sandstone on which they stand. A short distance above the 

 Museum is what is considered the gem of the gardens, a specimen of the Picea nobilis. It is certainly 

 fine and beautifully formed, and may well claim that distinction. In height it is about twenty feet, and 

 was found a few years ago amongst a mass of miscellaneous shrubbery. There are also, relieved by a 

 succession of large circular beds of flowers and standard roses, several excellent specimens of Deodars and 

 Coniferoe generally, including a thriving Douglas ii. In this part of the grounds the walks are beautifully 

 curved, with rich and most effective borders. The Sunk Walk, as seen from the embankment of the 

 small lake above it, especially commands attention, both for the taste displayed in its decoration, and 

 the expressive diversity of its more permanent features. 



We stood on this embankment of the sheet of water, called Jordan's Pool, which contains the 

 " Large Fountain " (see Plate) ; below, on the right, extends another small lake, in which are placed 

 the colossal stone-like figures that compose the " River-horse Fountain " (see Plate). The early morning 

 had been densely misty, and the entire face of the surrounding country hidden from view ; but as the 

 day advanced the vapoury mass gradually rolled away, and the sun at length shone out in all the genial 

 splendour of an autumnal day. A vista through some trees carried the eye across a well-wooded 

 undulating country to the Dudley hills, and the coal-fields of South Staffordshire, and on to the distant 

 outlines of the mountainous parts of Shropshire and Worcestershire. Slightly to the right were seen 

 portions of the finely-timbered and extensive grounds and park of Himley, the splendid ancestral domain 

 of Lord Ward, who is also owner of Dudley Castle, and many other large estates in this part of 

 the country. Scarcely a breath of air was felt, and the water lay still and unruffled as a mirror, 

 reflecting the depths of the blue sky, and the gigantic outlines of a mist-gathered cloud that towered 

 high above the wave-like foliage of the woods. As we stood admiring the beauty and tranquillity of the 

 scene, a bubbling sound of water, at first gentle and gathering force by degrees, broke out, and we 

 beheld the commencement of one of the most beautiful aquatic displays it is possible to conceive. This, 

 the large fountain, is on a level with the surface of the lake, and composed of five jets, the central 

 one throwing a column of water 150 feet high ; the supply being obtained from a large reservoir on the 



