328 
[ April 28,1887. 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND 
COTTAGE GARDENER. 
on the occasion of the famous fetes were thrown open for the convenience 
of visitors. 
Horticulture seems to have been for generations in the ascendant at 
Chiswick. Kent lies buried in the vault of the Cavendishes ; he was 
the Paxton of the last century. Horace Walpole says of him, “ As a 
painter he was below mediocrity, as an architect he was the restorer of 
the science, as a gardener he was thoroughly original, and the inventor 
of an art which realises painting and improves Nature. Mahomet 
imagined an elysium, but Kent created many.” 
Before entering upon a brief description of the grounds attached to 
Chiswick House, perhaps it may prove of interest to place on record 
what may be called a few “ historic notes,” for which we are mainly 
indebted to “ Cassell’s Old and New London.” Chiswick has witnessed 
the death of more than one political celebrity. At the end of August., 
1806, the great statesman, Charles James Fox, was in his last illness 
removed to the Duke of Devonshire’s villa, where he died a fortnight 
later. The bed-chamber which he occupied opens into the Italian 
saloon, and before the window grew a Mountain Ash, which appears to 
have been to him an object of great interest. 
Twenty years afterwards there came hither to die, in the same villa 
and the same room, and nearly at the same age, the classic, witty, 
and brilliant George Canning. He died on the 8th August, 1827. 
The apartment in which the two statesmen breathed their last is thus 
described by Sir Henry Bulwer (Lord Dalling) in his “ Historical 
Characters : ”—“ It is a small, low chamber, over a kind of nursery, and 
opening into a wing of the building, which gives it the appearance of 
looking into a court-yard. Nothing can be more simple than its furni¬ 
ture or its decorations. On one side of the fireplace are a few book¬ 
shelves ; opposite the foot of the bed is the low chimney-piece, and on 
it a small bronze clock, to which we may fancy the weary and impatient 
sufferer often turned his eyes during those bitter moments in which he 
was passing from the world which he had filled with his name and was 
governing with his projects.” 
The grounds of Chiswick House were greatly enlarged by the late 
Duke of Devonshire. In Miss Berry’s journal, under date of June 1st, 
1813, is the following entry respecting them —“ Drove with the Duke of 
Devonshire in his curricle to Chiswick, when he showed me all the altera¬ 
tions that he was about to make in adding the gardens of Lady 
M. Coke’s house to his own. The house is down, and in the gardens he 
has constructed a magnificent hothouse with a conservatory for flowers, 
the middle under a cupola. Altogether it is 300 feet long. The com¬ 
munication between the two gardens is through what was the old green¬ 
house, of which they have made a double arcade, making the prettiest 
effect possible.” It should have been stated previously to this that the 
entrance gates are approached by what is known as the Duke’s Avenue, 
a public thoroughfare, composed of grand Limes, forming, indeed, with 
their welcome shade a charming and cool retreat in the summer. The 
avenue is about 600 yards in length, so that some idea can be formed of 
its beauty when in full leafage. Referring again to the entrance gates, 
they have been recently restored to the condition in which they were 
some thirty years ago, in the old Duke’s time, and decorated in white 
and gold, surmounted by the Devonshire coat of arms. They arc said 
to have been brought from Gibraltar by Lord IJeathfield, who had them 
as gates to Heathfield House, now a thing of the past, for some time. 
On the demolition of Heathfield House they were given to a former 
Duke of Devonshire, who had them enriched with their decorations of 
leaves and scrolls, surmounted with his coat of arms, and placed here 
as the principal entrance gates. The inside avenue, about 400 yards 
long, is also planted with Limes, the undergrowth being Ivy, a pretty 
combination. Hereabouts we noticed a fine specimen of the Black 
Walnut (Juglans nigra). 
This brings us near to the Chiswick, or South Lodge, thence the 
carriage drive winds some 300 yards, bounded by trees or grass lawn. 
Amongst them we noted good examples of the Flowering Ash, Bird 
Cherry, Cedars, and noble Oaks, until we reach the broad approach, 
about 60 feet in width, planted on each side with fine specimens of 
Lebanon Cedars. The Cedar Avenue, as it might well be called, is a distinct 
and striking feature. On one side, next the Cedars, is a bower of Limes, 
and on the other fine specimens of Catalpas, .Tulip Trees, Weeping 
Elms, Sec. Cedars constitute a noble feature ; indeed, it is said that 
S)me of the first introduced to this country were sent here. By the front 
portico to the mansion are two very fine examples, 80 to ioo feet in 
height, one measuring in girth at 4 feet from the ground 14 feet 
6 inches. Then, again, facing the north-west front of the mansion— 
where the grand receptions in the good old days took place—are some 
majestic specimens on the lawn clothed to the ground, the spread of 
one of these being rather over 100 feet, and its girth at 3 feet from 
the ground 17 feet 9 inches. We were struck, at this point in our 
visit, with the velvety appearance of the grass, softened and refined 
by the frequent labours of the mower. 
The broad view looking westward from the mansion across the lawn 
to the-lake is a fine one, with the Palm-like Cedar and Yew trees in the 
distance ; a fine tree of Lucomb’s Oak, a noble evergreen clothed to the 
ground (in passing, the Evergreen Oaks are in strong force here) ; Abies 
Douglasi, Silver Birch, Swiss Pine, and Weeping Poplar ; the lake 
edged with Flags, Bulrushes, Ac., almost hidden with bold and 
effectively planted masses of Rhododendrons. Of other views, some ad¬ 
mirable ones are obtained from a hill or raised walk called “ The 
Mount.” Many a lesson in effective landscape scenery could be learned 
here. As an instance, from one point we beheld stately Cedars of 
Lebanon, forming a magnificent background ; in the mid-distance Pinus 
Lambertiana and Lombardy Poplars ; in the hollow or dell the lake 
bordered with Rushes, Cedars, and Dogwood (the bark of the latter in 
winter becoming beautifully crimson, and therefore very effective) ; a 
fine tree of Taxodium distichum, admirably placed, with its pleasing 
light green foliage; sides and foreground of Holly, Yew, Box, 
Laburnum, &c., and on the brow of the mount a complete carpet of 
the St. John’s Wort, Hypericum calycinum. Other views from the 
“ Mount ” are good, notably one. In the distance, almost hidden in the 
leafage of its surroundings, is seen the domed roof of a “ Temple ” by the 
lake, the latter almost concealed by the overspreading branches of 
venerable Oaks and Yews, and the drooping of the Silver Birch. 
Unfortunately a new wall, built about two years ago, which bounds 
the place on its north and -west sides, presents itself to view obtrusively 
in many places, Mr. May, the garden superintendent, is at the present 
time actively engaged in covering it with Ivy, and shutting it out by the 
aid of plantations of trees and shrubs. This, with a little island formed at 
the end of the lake and the formation of sloping banks planted with 
shrubs, Ferns, Ivy, Ac., will, as time goes on, impart new and improved 
features to the place. By the bridge, over a picturesque stretch of water, 
are two splendid Wych Elms and many other fine Elms, Limes, Horn¬ 
beams, Oaks of large dimensions, and a good Scotch Pine (Pinus 
sylvestris) by the water side. Near this bridge begins the Rhododen¬ 
dron walk, which, although chiefly of the common R. ponticum, forms 
a fine feature from the free and luxuriant growth. The Hollies, too, 
at this part are exceptionally fine trees. Then near at hand is Sequoia 
sempervirens, also a fine specimen of Wellingtonia gigantea about 60 feet 
in height, planted in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition. Next we 
light upon a glorious bush of Andromeda floribunda 12 feet through. 
What a sight it must be when in flower ! Referring to the Wellingtonia 
gigantea just now (planted in 1851), we were reminded of what that 
grand international gathering was meant to symbolise—a reign of peace 
amongst the nations. In another portion of the ground we are reminded 
of war by passing what is known as “ Napoleon’s Walk,” so named in 
memory of Napoleon I., and also from the fact that it leads to a summer 
house in which is placed a bust of the great general. The length of the 
walk is about 240 yards, ami the hedges of Yew on each side are about 
15 feet in height, forming a remarkable feature. 
Speaking of Napoleon reminds us of memorial trees planted by royal 
and other distinguished personages on the occasion of the Prince of 
Wales’s brilliant garden parties when Chiswick House was occupied by 
His Royal Highness :—A Cedrus Libani, planted by Her Majesty, June, 
30th, 1874; Wellingtonia gigantea, by the Shah of Persia, June 28th, 
1873; Wellingtonia gigantea, by the Cesarewitch of Russia, June 28th 
1873 ; Salisburia adiantifolia, by the Czarina of Russia, June 28th, 
1873 ; Cedrus Libani, by Prince and Princess of Wales, July 14th, 1874 ; 
Cedrus Libani, by the Emperor of Russia, May 17th, 1874 ; Cedrus 
Libani, by the Duchess of Edinburgh, May 17th, 1874 ; Cedrus Libani, by 
the King and Queen of the Hellenes, July 18tli, 1876. The above Cedars 
were seedlings from the old Cedars close by, and were grown in small 
flower pots, and are now only beginning to grow freely, all showing 
signs of the confinement which the roots underwent during the first 
few years of their existence. Two more commemorative trees remain 
to be mentioned—viz., Cedrus Deodara, planted to commemorate the 
visit of the Emperor of Russia, June 10th, 1844 ; and C. Deodara, 
planted by Garibaldi, April 12th, 1864. To a magnificent Oriental 
Plane, forming quite a bower, and covering a space of about 100 feet in 
diameter, is affixed a tablet to commemorate the visit of Princess Maria 
Nicolaiewra of Russia in 1853. 
A very interesting spot is that known as “ Poet’s Corner.” Under 
the shade of some fine Evergreen Oaks forming a semicircle are old 
marble figures of Nero, Cicero, and Brutus, from Adrian’s Garden, Rome, 
with others in stone of poets ; also large stone urns and fine stone or 
marble seats finely cut, with drapery, now weather-stained and covered 
with moss. How those of an antiquarian turn of mind would revel in 
this spot! As if on guard here are to be seen on each side of the walk 
a lion and lioness, very lifelike. Between the figures the ground is 
covered with Ivy, and the moss has carpeted the once gravelled paths. 
In fact, there is an old-world appearance about Poet’s Corner that is 
truly charming. Another interesting spot is that known as Chestnut 
Square, planted with fine Sweet Chestnuts, originally serving as the 
boundary of a bowling green when bowling was fashionable. 
An object of interest in the garden is an arched gateway leading to the 
flower garden, designed by Inigo Jones, which was originally erected at 
Chelsea on the premises which once belonged to the great Sir Thomas 
More. The gate subsequently belonged to Sir Hans Sloane, but as he 
neglected it Lord Burlington begged it from him. Its removal hither 
occasioned the following lines by Pope :— 
Passesgkb. 
“ O, gate ! how cam at thou there? ” 
Gate. 
“ I wan bronght from Chelsea last jear, 
B)ttered with wind and »rather. 
Inigo JoDea put mo together; 
Sir HaDS Sloane let me alone, 
So Burlington brought me hitter." 
In close proximity to this gateway is a magnificent Yew hedge, some 
20 feet in height, and forming a dense screen by a ha-ha. Very 
noticeable is a well-shaped tree of Salisburia adiantifolia, standing just 
within the precincts of the flower garden. This portion, which in years 
gone by presented in its season a blaze of colour from the then popular 
