412 PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. BOOK I. 



up from seeds deposited in their crevices, and partly rent or 

 broken down by the increase of the roots of those trees; one 

 of which, upon an alcove in the corner of the garden, has ar- 

 rived to considerable height, and cleft the wall to the founda- 

 tion. The compartments of the garden are subdivided by grass 

 walks, some of which are still kept mown ; but the borders and 

 parterres can only be distinguished by the wild luxuriance of 

 the shrubs, flowers, and fruit-trees, by the flights of steps which 

 connect different terraces and hanging slopes, or the ruins of urns, 

 dials, or artificial ponds. When viewing that place, I could 

 not help admiring this old garden as one of the most interest- 

 ing things about it; but my guide, apparently wondering at my 

 delay in such a scene, apologized for its appearance by observ- 

 ing, that as soon as the new garden was finished, this one would 

 be removed, and the whole thrown open and joined to the 

 lawn!! At Ingleston, the same thing has lately been done; 

 not only with the garden, but also with an old mansion and 

 tower ! ! Had part of the garden walls and these olcf ruins 

 been allowed to remain, and been properly connected and va- 

 ried, the place would have been rendered highly interesting 

 at a small expence. But every thing has been cleared and 

 levelled — new plantations formed, to clump up groups and 

 open groves, or counteract the natural character of the ground; 

 and huge masses of masonry are erecting with rapidity ; but, 

 alas ! the characteristic beauties of the place are destroyed — 



