" This seat on an open barren estate was planned, planted, built, decorated, and inhabited the middle of 

 the eighteenth century, by Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester." 



On this side, of the house there is a Terrace Garden, consisting of successive slopes and flats, in the 

 centre of which, at the base, are several flower-beds of various forms, a scolloped shell, and the initials 

 of the Earl of Leicester in box. The walks are laid down with red gravel. On each side, near the 

 balustrade, are two specimens of Irish ivy, which very effectively supply the place of Portugal laurels, 

 those plants not being hardy enough to stand the cold north winds ; they look well, and are quite a 

 novelty in the features of the place. 



The south front of the house is of a magnificent character, displaying to perfection the masterly 

 design of its construction. The flower beds are all in sunk pannels, intersected by tracery and scroll-work, 

 flanked by " ribbon borders," and ornamented with urns and vases filled with flowers ; two of the former of 

 a large size, inscribed with the letters L. L. in bass-relief, being by Raymond Smith. Broad and extensive 

 gravel walks, with stone borders, run in parallel and angular lines across its surface ; and at the bottom 

 of the principal walk, leading from the centre of the building, is a grand characteristic fountain, by 

 Raymond Smith, of " St George and the Dragon," carved in the finest description of Portland stone 

 (see Plate). 



From the front of the Conservatory, on each side of the walk, runs a chain pattern, flanked by 

 vases and beds of Rhododendron, similar to those in the large compartments nearer the House. At the 

 end of this walk stands a very fine Roman Sarcophagus of marble, filled with flowers, and bearing a 

 Latin inscription. 



There are three gates of bronze, partly gilt, and surmounted by the Earl's coronet and initials. 

 From the Terrace the walk continues to the Temple or Pavilion, and from thence it is bordered by cast- 

 iron vases, filled with flowers ; " which vases are all that remain of the old garden designed by Sir Francis 

 Chantry." This walk is terminated by a small flower garden, which, with the whole range that look 

 so beautiful and tempting, was executed from designs by Nesfield. 



In the Pleasure-ground is a " shell-house," the entrance door being guarded, but very harmlessly so, by 

 two shells from Sebastopol. A small fountain and sun-dial stand near, and we noticed a very fine 

 specimen of the Corsican larch. The American garden, filled with plants of the best description, joins 

 this, and its effect is considerably heightened by the variegated walks that intersect it. Further on, a 

 walk of great extent winds amongst lines of standard roses, and beds of Bamboo, Arundo, and others, 

 adjoining which is an old thorn, sixty-two yards in circumference. 



In the Park is an extensive lake, which has lately undergone great improvements. It is considered 

 to be one of the finest pieces of artificial water in the countiy, and the beautiful and picturesque 

 scenery to which it gives effect, forms, from the Obelisk, a striking and happy feature in the magnificent 

 and extensive view that spreads around. 



