HAMPTON COURT 59 



out reason, for the destruction of many lovely old gardens, 

 showed regard for the work of Wolsey, Henry VIII., Elizabeth, 

 Charles II. and William. When asked, by George II., to 

 " improve " these gardens he declined, " out of respect to 

 himself and his profession." 



Since the accession of George III., Hampton Court Palace 

 has never been resided in by an English Sovereign. When 

 Queen Victoria came to the throne, one of her first acts was 

 to give orders that the State rooms and gardens should be 

 thrown open to her subjects. This privilege has been most 

 thoroughly appreciated and seldom or never abused. The 

 gardens are noted for the great skill and care with which 

 they are cultivated, and have been models of horticultural 

 practice to thousands of amateur and professional gardeners 

 from all parts of the kingdom for many years. An improve- 

 ment — not indeed affecting the garden itself, but of vast im- 

 portance to the external appearance of the palace — of which 

 it would be difficult to speak too highly, has recently been 

 made. Wolsey's moat, which at one time surrounded the 

 structure on three sides, has been restored on the west front, 

 and a beautifully designed bridge, ornamented in perfect 

 keeping with the old Tudor buildings, has been thrown 

 across it. The whole idea and execution of the work reflects 

 the highest credit on those responsible for it ; and adds im- 

 mensely to the beauty and dignity of the principal approach 

 and entrance to this most venerable edifice. 



During the last two centuries enormous strides have been 

 made in every branch of horticulture. And of no improve- 

 ments have the royal gardeners at Hampton Court failed to 

 take advantage. Except for modern methods, and countless 

 new varieties of plants, the gardens may be seen now much as 

 they were left by William and Mary. Still " very observ- 

 able " is the old " cradle-walk." And though Evelyn, by a 

 rare mistake, calls its trees hornbeam instead of the wych- 

 elms they really are, the rest of his description leaves little 

 doubt about its identity with Queen Mary's Bower. Under 

 that name it has been known for more than two hundred 



