8o 



ROYAL GARDENS 



ing. Pathways wind through this deHghtful wilderness. 

 One of them leads to a pretty, thatch-roofed summer-house. 

 It occupies a corner formed by the east and south boundaries, 

 and being almost concealed in foliage, is a cool and shady 

 retreat in summer, and a place for quiet seclusion at all times. 

 In front of this arbour, a wide terrace-walk extends the whole 

 length of the garden on the side next the Mall. At its 

 further end is a seat, and between path and fence is a long, 

 rather narrow border filled with a great profusion of brilliantly 

 coloured and sweet-scented flowers. The terrace is continued 

 on the same level about half-way along the garden's western 

 side, and has grass banks sloping down to the principal lawn. 

 From the spot where the terrace ends, looking south, be- 

 tween many trees of garden and park, glimpses of the grand 

 towers of Westminster add historic and architectural interest 

 to the sylvan beauty of the scene. Along both south and 

 west terraces, on the top of the slope, vases filled with bright 

 flowers are set at intervals ; and, facing the mansion, two 

 flights of stone steps lead down to pathways crossing the 

 lawn. Immediately in front of the house these paths join a 

 broad walk, which, starting from the boundary wall over 

 against St. James's Palace, continues until it is lost in the 

 grove of trees and shrubs at the other end of the garden. 



Every one will remember the high wall with its gates on 

 the east side of the roadway between Marlborough House and 

 St. James's Palace. On its inner side the ground is banked up 

 nearly to the top of the wall, and thereupon are planted, as a 

 screen, some shrubs and small trees. Between them and the 

 wall, near the old Chapel, runs a short and narrow pathway. 

 It is reached by stone steps from the broad walk just inside 

 the garden gates. Although the wall appears so lofty from 

 outside, within it is only high enough to be a sort of parapet 

 to the little walk. Here there are one or two seats. The 

 place overlooks the open square of St. James's Palace, where the 

 quaint and picturesque ceremony of changing guard is gone 

 through every morning. On fine days there is always a small 

 crowd to see the interesting performance, and listen to the 



