BAGSHOT PARK 45 



storm or sun can always be found in one or other of these 

 seats. A statue of Mercury on a granite pedestal stands in 

 the centre. Between these quaint-looking hooded seats are 

 clipped golden Yews, which impart a charming brightness 

 to the scene at all times of the year. The little garden is 

 happy in its setting of shrubs and conifers, with fine Oaks 

 and Beeches in the background, and a good specimen of the 

 Incense Cedar, Libocedrus decurrens, close by. 



The ground to the north-west of the mansion rises con- 

 siderably, presents a pleasing inequality of surface, and is 

 enriched with judiciously disposed beds of shrubs and flower- 

 ing trees on the sloping sward. Close to the house an Italian 

 water garden is in course of construction, and will contribute 

 much to the beauty of the surroundings. Towards the top 

 of the slope above, and extending for about 300 yards, is 

 an imposing turf terrace bounded on one side with magni- 

 ficent specimens of clipped Retinosporas, of unusual size and 

 in perfect health. On the other side a border of mixed shrubs, 

 with a margin of Tritoma Uvaria near the grass, partly hides 

 His Royal Highness's Pinetum (on the higher ground beyond), 

 which forms a noble background to the rest. Two broad 

 glades above the grass terrace lead into the Pinetum, and 

 have a fine eff^ect from the west front of the mansion. On 

 a knoll at the end of the further glade a superb Cedrus 

 Atlantica rears its stately head in proud pre-eminence above 

 all other trees. The terrace loses itself in a green ride of 

 the adjacent wood, which, bounded by immense Rhododen- 

 drons, leads to a charming lake below. The Pinetum men- 

 tioned above was commenced by His Royal Highness in 

 1880, and now contains many vigorous specimens of great 

 beauty. The site for every tree here is selected by His 

 Royal Highness himself. He is well acquainted with the 

 habits of each species, and watches the development of every 

 specimen with keen enthusiasm. The collection is ever 

 increasing in variety and interest. Worthy of mention are 

 Cedrus Libani, C. Atlantica, C. A. Glauca (the latter one of 

 the very finest conifers), Wellingtonia gigantea, Psuga Doug- 



