The Forest Trees of Wiltshire. 143 



; thoroughly interlacing overhead, and forming the coinpletest and 

 most perfect pointed arch that eye can see or mind conceive. Nor 

 ' is there that sameness that might be supposed. There are some 

 breaks in the Avenue, such for example, as the beautiful open space 

 > — a fine rich-looking lawn — on one side of which, in a sweet 

 sequestered nook, once stood Savernake Lodge : — the ' Octagon/ 

 | where the ' eight walks ' meet ; and some short open spaces, 

 where the old beech lines are varied by oak and beech intermixed, 

 planted at a much more recent period. And in addition to these 

 breaks, the undulating surface of the ground, which shows this 

 noble arch in all its phases, sometimes on the level, sometimes on 

 the ascent, or on the descent, with ever and anon, on reaching the 

 top of an acclivity, a peep at distant portions far beyond, and 

 looking separate from that above you ; — all this relieves it from 

 any approach to monotony. It is a grand and glorious sight, and 

 one that cannot be seen without feelings of admiration, and some- 

 thing akin to awe." 



But what of Longleat ? — Second only to Tottenham, and that, 

 perhaps, only as regards the avenue, — sylvan beauty abounds in 

 every part. The Warminster entrance to the park is called 

 " Heaven's Gate," and certainly, if anything here below deserves 

 such a name, the scene that bursts upon the visitor on passing 

 through that gate warrants it being so called. Unfortunately for 

 the writer, Longleat is, comparatively so little known to him that 

 he is unable to speak of it as fully as he could have wished. But 

 this he can safely say, that, the avenue apart, Longleat may vie with 

 Tottenham in every other respect. The latter, though full of 

 gentle undulations, is too flat to afford those delightful views which, 

 break upon you so frequently at the former. There the dells are 

 deeper, the hills are higher ; and on gaining the top of any of the 

 rather steep ascents, some distant object — a column, a mansion, a 

 hamlet, or at a greater distance some town, meets the eye ; and 

 being viewed over the dense masses of luxuriant foliage at your feet 

 and spreading out before you, renders the scene rich and charming 

 to a degree this pen lacks the power of describing as it deserves. 



Looking down from one of those eminences whence the 



