its surface at regular intervals. Also, in each ground-floor window, arranged in ornamental boxes, a con- 

 tinuous line of the Golden Chain Geranium completely realizes the novel idea of producing by means of 

 floral embellishment an effect similar to, and, comparatively speaking, as rich as that of decorative gilding. 

 A rippling sound of water, too, comes even here — a sound that ever pleases and softens with its gushing 

 murmurs and floating song — it is a fountain ; and there, in marbled grace, amid the refreshing garlands of 

 foliage and flower, Eve seems to watch the changing beauty of her face in the crystal mirror below. 



Four steps below us — revelling in light and shade — is the extensive Parterre, with its smooth 

 verdant carpet, broad walks and narrow pathways of fine gravel ; its Fountain (the Three Graces), Urns, 

 and Marble Vases, of which there are four unique specimens rising from the centre of the principal angular 

 compartments on large granite pedestals. The divisions between the beds — which are chiefly of an oblong, 

 circular, and serpentine form — of these compartments consisted formerly of very light-coloured gravel, but 

 the consequent glare and attracted heat of the sun's rays were found to be excessive, and detrimental to the 

 effective outline of the plants. A fine mossy turf has lately been substituted, and the result is most 

 gratifying. A short time ago the plan of the outer borders underwent a change ; it now presents a 

 flowing chain pattern, distinctly formed by carefully kept box-edgings. In the centre of each link is 

 a cypher filled with flowers, and from every fourth there also arises a tapering cypress. As a novelty 

 in the arrangement, the narrow pathways and interstices running along the outer chain were laid down 

 with differently-coloured gravel, and the effect shows itself advantageously, especially from the Terrace. 



The plan of the Parterre is square, and its general appearance particularly striking ; perhaps more 

 so than any other part of the garden. It is entirely surrounded by a stone balustrade, on which are 

 placed numerous vases containing flowers ; and at the angles of the side facing south are two temples 

 containing mythological statues. From these angles balustrades with vases stretch in a slightly curved 

 and irregular line east and west, forming the boundary of the Italian Gardens, and are terminated by 

 two beautiful Italian Pavilions. Any attempt to particularise the variety or order of flowers used in 

 this garden would be useless ; every year they are diversified, every year more expressive ; and the 

 thousands of plants required each season in its decoration brings the arrangement to a gigantic scale- 

 Besides, it is not what is new and rare that is alone effective : harmony of colour ; the true definition 

 of contrast ; the graceful blending of the trailing with the erect species ; the grouping ; and the elasticity 

 of the whole are the real artistic powers of floral architecture. Whether these remarks are identified 

 with the scene before us the criticism of others must decide. 



The outlines of prospective scenery from this point are not grand, in the common acceptation of the 

 term : there are no rocks nor nakedness ; no rugged mountains towering in the distance ; nothing isolated, 

 abrupt, or frowning about it. Even the view is, in a measure, contracted, and altogether unrelieved 

 by ruined battlement or ivy-grown tower ; but all is fertile, undulating, and peculiarly adapted to receive 

 and enrich the beautiful combinations of picturesque landscape. 



From the Parterre, sad and poetical, in irregular height rise groups of the pyramidal cypress, 

 shading with dark green lines the rich and startling masses of Geranium and Calceolaria, Purely 

 Oriental in character, it mingles with and gives a thoughtful expression to those of European fame, 

 without detracting from their sweet distinctiveness, or having an isolated appearance amongst so 

 much beauty. To the right, bordering the balustrade, a dense mass of evergreens, mingled with native 

 flowering plants, stretches on to the wood, interspersed here and there with grassy glades, and vistas 

 opening on some fine old tree or group in the park. The park is only partially seen ; but it rises 

 undulating away to a ridge of hills clothed with waving fern, and dotted with the decaying sons of an 

 ancient forest, which grotesquely throw their naked, straggling arms among their more vigorous brethren ; 

 and there in the shade, unalarmed by the sounding horn, the ringing shout, or deep bay of the hound 

 of olden times, those noble characteristics of an English park— fallow deer— placidly repose. 



Before us, in verdant tranquillity, relieved by the richness of artistic treatment, lie the Italian Gardens. 

 At their extremity the bright and silvery lake seems dreaming away into the foliage of the woods, with 

 green islands darkling on its bosom, and noble swans nestling on its surface, watching the life-like 

 shadows that look up to them from the face of the blue sky below. And look ! skimming lazily on, 

 their feet dragging in broken lines across its surface, the coot and moor-hen make for the sedgy and 

 tano-led bank, where the duck and mallard linger with their native brood till the yellow leaves of 

 autumn's last days bring in lettered and ringing flight the countless masses of their south-bound race. 

 Even the ancient grey heron, in all the clumsy pride of his ancestors, is mounting the air in laboured 

 circles, free from the dangerous swoop of other days; and as he flaps his huge wings above the tall 

 trees, how naturally the mind travels back to an age so romantically strange and so different from the 

 aspirings of our own. On its margin the sturdy branches of the oak bend over, and their leaves 

 kiss, as it were, the murmuring ripples as they beat faintly on its pebbly shore; while, grouped here 



