and there, so coy yet so beautiful, the lily sleeps and awakes with the sun through the whole summer 

 time of its existence. There is a boat, too, gliding round that point ; and the dreamy splash of the 

 falling oars, with the faint echo of a measured song, come lazily on the air, in soft, suggestive unison. 



• Gradually rising from the lake, the ground assumes a bolder character, and forms a distinct ridge 

 clothed entirely by a fine old wood, called the King's Wood, whose wave-like and diversified foliage 

 seems to roll in the sun like the slumbering swell of the ocean. About half-way along it a flowing 

 bend points out the situation of the " Spring Valley," which, with its delicious spring of water, contains 

 many fine specimens of Ferns. At the extremity of the wood rises a conical hill, crowned by a colossal 

 statue of the late Duke of Sutherland, erected by a grateful tenantry, and which forms a conspicuous 

 feature in the landscape. To the left the country is a little more open, and bounded by slightly rising 

 ground and trees. It thus forms an amphitheatre, of a purely sylvan character, and many a long and 

 weary mile might be plodded ere such another view rewarded us. 



We will take a peep at the Private Conservatory to the right ere we descend from our golden- 

 wreath promenade. There are many favourite plants running over the trellis work, and playing fantastic 

 gambols about its roof. The orange trees scatter their grateful perfume around us ; and fine moss 

 tempts us to a seat beneath the foliage of the palm-like and elegant Seaforthia. Around are arranged, 

 in china-covered boxes, many specimens of Lichens and Ferns ; and facing " Eve at the Fountain," 

 mentioned before, is a most elaborate and beautifully-carved marble spiral column. There are also 

 many ornamental pieces in China and Parian, which have a pleasing effect. A very fine Corridor, 

 half circular in shape, is connected with the Conservatory and the main building, the space between 

 being laid out in raised flower beds ; the doors dividing it are very handsome, composed of iron, and 

 coloured blue and gold. The Corridor, containing varieties of Lichens, Ferns, Ivy, &c, leads to the 

 western or principal entrance, over which rises a square tower of wrought stone ; and on three of its sides are 

 carved, in bold relief, the family arms. The area in front is a large gravelled circle, entered from the park 

 between two small lodges, on the summit of which are placed bronze figures of deer ; and the centre contains 

 a large statue of Diana, on a granite pedestal. The view from this corridor is very good ; and the long, 

 gently-rising gravel road, leading directly away between sloping turf-covered banks to a large group of 

 trees in the park, heightens the effect. Through a side door we follow a walk leading to the Parterre, 

 passing, on the outside of the Conservatory a marble statue of Apollyna, of which a view is given from the 

 opposite side of the water. We now stroll leisurely on to the Private Wing Terrace Garden, at the 

 steps of which are two beautiful large antique bronze Vases, containing Geraniums and the graceful 

 Humea. The Terrace is approached by three pairs of stone steps, and on each side are arranged 

 iron-baskets of flowers. The chief attractions from this spot are the beautiful glades which run so 

 prettily out to the lake, or rest on the light columns of the pavilion for a moment, ere they 

 glide on to the Italian Gardens. Here also the " Rivulet " winds its pleasant way beneath the 

 clustering branches of trees and flowers across the green and daisy-dotted turf. How gentle it seems 

 to flow ; but we listen in vain for the rippling laugh and pebble-murmuring song. The " Rivulet " is 

 a simple serpentine bed of the familiar " forget-me-not ;" and the happy idea of its representation of 

 water originated with the Duchess of Sutherland some years ago, at Lilleshall, in Shropshire. It was 

 at one time called " The Ribbon Border," but latterly it has assumed its proper designation. Down 

 three or four steps we enter upon another division of the garden, called the Private Wing Garden, 

 which is laid out in a very effective manner; and rising in its centre is a fountain — three Cupids 

 supporting a basin. The private Orangery runs parallel with this, and is fronted by a fine arcade, 

 terminating in an open-arch tower of elegant construction. From beneath this tower steps lead down 

 into the garden, and at their base is an excellent view of some very recently-finished and beautiful 

 glades, which stretch across the pleasure grounds, forming with many other objects a series of great im- 

 provements, carried out under the immediate superintendence of the Duke and Duchess. In accomplishing 

 this, several large forest trees have been removed ; and it is singular how effectually and artistically the 

 gaps have been filled up, and the ground-work re-established in so short a time. Retracing our way, we 

 cross the Parterre to the steps leading to the Italian Gardens (Plate 2). These steps are a novelty ; 

 their form is bow-like, the edge of stone, and the space between each, which gradually descends and is 

 composed of gravel, varies from five to seven feet. They are six in number, and have a stately 



appearance. As we stand on the topmost step, let us contemplate for a moment the scene that genius 

 has converted from a swampy waste into a model of elegant dignity and character. The Italian 

 Gardens are spread before us ; and as we gaze, how easy it is for fancy to bring over us those skies 

 so " darkly, deeply, beautifully blue ;" the fragrant and gold-dotted groves of the orange and citron ; 

 the graceful clusters of the luscious vine ; the dark grouping of the purple pomegranate ; the o-reen 

 forests of the olive ; and the poetry and song of Italy — beautiful Italy ! 



