CHAP. X.] 
ROCK-WORK, 
331 
which are numerous niches to receive the 
plants. These plants are planted and kept 
with great care; and they grow so luxu¬ 
riously, as almost to hide the paths, and to 
make the rock look at a little distance like a 
bank of flowers. Mosses of different colours 
are interspersed, and the whole has a pecu¬ 
liarly rich and sparkling effect. 
The rock-work at Syon has been compared 
to the scenery of a highland glen; but I 
must confess there does not appear to me the 
slightest resemblance. In fact, the Syon rock- 
work is so overpowered by the magnificent 
conservatory in front, with its splendid ter¬ 
race, and the geometric flower-garden at its 
base, with its myriads of beautiful flowers, &c. 
that it becomes quite a secondary object, and 
its real beauties are very apt to pass unno¬ 
ticed. It consists of masses of granite, inter¬ 
mixed with broken capitals of columns, &c. 
throwm together in a natural manner, and 
planted with ornamental flowering plants, 
principally exotic. The rock-work at Nor- 
biton Hall, is disposed in the same manner 
as that at Syon; but it is on a smaller scale; 
and its principal use is to keep moisture 
