108 
PARK AND VILLA SCENERY. 
Cedar. These are all beautiful when grown in soil which they affect. Cunning- 
hamia, Araucaria, and Dammara, are magnificent furniture for the noble lawn ; and on 
this subject we refer to an article on the Pinetum of Dropmore, which appeared 
in vol. hi., 1128, of the late Mr. Loudon's Gardeners' Magazine. 
The classification of trees in the woodland scenery around a mansion is a novel 
feature : the park demands the skilful adaptation of single trees, or of small groups 
placed in situations where a new effect is produced by every change of position ; but 
another department remains to be considered, and upon this mainly depends the 
grace and beauty of the whole, — it is the gem set in the centre of the sylvan 
boundary ; we allude to — - 
The pleasure-grounds in the vicinity of the mansion. In this fine estate, created 
by the present proprietor, these grounds present a lovely picture, diversified with 
every species of softened beauty upon which the eye can delight to repose. A noble 
lawn extends in one connected whole, but so modified with fine masses of trees and 
planted clumps, that there is no platitude or sameness to be detected. In former 
years a wretched piece of water lay by the side of a steep bank. This pond has been 
extended to 30 or more acres, by filling up a valley, and other pieces of water have 
been added, to the extent of 10 acres more. This small lake is varied in its figure : it 
is not a flat, uninteresting sheet of water, but is so disposed, so varied in its figure, 
so interspersed with trees and plantations, aided by one or two bridges, apparently of 
rough unhewn stone, that the whole water-scene is quite disguised and broken. 
Wild fowl resort in abundance to the water, and everything conspires to add romantic 
beauty to the whole. The planting of the home, ornamental grounds, is in beautiful 
keeping. Above 13 miles of noble gravel walks lead through its varied scenery. 
The islands, promontories, and shores of the pieces of water, overhung with trees, 
are most judiciously placed ; while near the dwelling, trees have been placed in small 
groups, the roots of many so judiciously raised above the surface as to give a slight, 
but yet natural protuberance. Among these trees stand pre-eminent the scarlet 
oak, (Quercus coccinea,) which flourishes here with peculiar luxuriance. The tree is 
one of the finest of the American species ; its leaves are six or more inches long ; 
they change to a rich scarlet, and continue long on the tree. Nothing, in point of 
colour and figure, can rival this oak, unless we except a perfect copper beech ; both 
are admirable, and calculated to stand as solitary trees in conspicuous situations. 
Grotto Scenery is here and there attempted : in one instance a rude garden, 
made up as it were of rocky masses on the sloping sides of a vast excavation, is 
surmounted by a terrace-shelf, which passes round it. In showery seasons, much 
water enters, and remains within, forming a pond with a side of rock : in 1844 the 
object was defeated by the excessive drought, and the cavity was dry ; but one 
circumstance excited particular attention, and it is worthy of notice. The soil on 
the sides was evidently yellow clay. At four places near the surface, but still on the 
sloping sides, as many large Hydrangeas were planted among the masses of rock; 
