NOTES ON GARDEN DESIGN 159 



at Sandringham. There every advantage is taken of natural 

 hill and valley ; and where the ground is undulating, paths are 

 curved, and where level or nearly so, straight walks are the 

 rule. Paths leading straight away from a house or terrace 

 should always have a definite end. This may be marked by 

 erecting some ' object of interest,' as a statue, fountain, sun- 

 dial or built arbour in large gardens, or by a small sundial 

 or suitably constructed summer-house in small ones. And 

 if a path leads in the exact direction of a specially lovely 

 distant view, some smaller and less obtrusive point may mark 

 its end, such as a group of diminutive flowering shrubs, a 

 tiny rock garden, or a specially selected mass of quiet- 

 coloured flowers. At Bagshot Park the end of one straight 

 path leading from the terrace is exceptionally and most 

 happily treated. The walk diverges and embraces four sides 

 of a little square garden which is set with one of its angles 

 towards the centre line of the path. Facing inwards 

 opposite each of the three other corners there are clipped 

 yew arbours furnished with very well proportioned and 

 comfortable seats. The middle of the square or ' diamond ' 

 garden is ornamented with a statue of the running Mercury, 

 and the background consists of splendid flowering trees and 

 shrubs, conifers and (still further behind) noble beeches and 

 oaks. And a straight path leading away from the terrace on 

 the west front at Sandringham, has its further end marked 

 in an interesting and very uncommon manner. A Chinese 

 temple, or Joss-house, shelters a bronze antique figure of the 

 seated Buddha. The beautifully carved and fretted wooden 

 building is surrounded on three sides with trees so carefully 

 chosen as to make it seem quite at home in a thoroughly 

 English garden. The ends of straight paths, avenues and 

 vistas at Hampton Court, too, are most successfully dealt 

 with. 



To treat walks and paths with success is one of the chief 

 difficulties a garden designer has to meet. Very many 

 gardens are disappointing because too little attention has 

 been given to this matter ; and a whole volume might be 



