HISTORICAL NOTICES. 
27 
the rarest trees and shrubs, were conspicuous features 
hefe. Some of the latter are now so remarkable as to 
attract strongly the attention of the visitor. Among 
them, is the chestnut planted by Washington, which 
produces the largest and finest fruit ; very large hollies ; 
and a curious old box-tree much higher than the mansion 
near which it stands. But the most striking feature now, 
is the still remaining grand old avenue of hemlocks (Abies 
canadensis). Many of these trees, which were planted 
100 years ago, are now venerable' specimens, ninety feet 
high, whose huge trunks and wide spread branches are in 
many cases densely wreathed and draped with masses of 
English Ivy, forming the most picturesque sylvan objects 
we ever beheld. 
Lemon Hill, half a mile above the Fairmount water- 
works of Philadelphia, was, 20 years ago, the most perfect 
specimen of the geometric mode in America, and since its 
destruction by the extension of the city, a few years since, 
there is nothing comparable with it, in that style, among 
us. All the symmetry, uniformity, and high art of the 
old school, were displayed here in artificial plantations, 
formal gardens with trellises, grottoes, spring-houses, 
temples, statues, and vases, with numerous ponds of water, 
jets-d’eau, and other water- works, parterres and an exten- 
sive range of hothouses. The effect of this garden was 
brilliant and striking; its position, on the lovely banks of 
the Schuylkill, admirable ; and its liberal proprietor, Mr, 
Pratt, by opening it freely to the public, greatly increased 
the popular taste in the neighborhood of that city. 
On the Hudson, the show place of the last age was the 
still interesting Clermont, then the residence of Chancellor 
Livingston. Its level or gently undulating lawn, four or 
