148 LONDON PARKS & GARDENS 
from the fountain, to a broad walk bordered with flowers 
leading to one of the entrances to the Park. At right 
angles to the other steps a walk leads from the fountain 
to another part of the garden, which is planted with old 
fruit-trees on the grassy slope. It is at the foot of these 
steps that the water-colour sketch is taken. The “ eagles 
with wings expanded ” are the supporters of the Lauder¬ 
dale arms. The whole garden is delightful, and so much 
in keeping with the house that it is easy to picture the 
much-disliked Lauderdale, the genial King, and fascinat¬ 
ing “ Nell,” living and moving on its terraces. Pepys 
gives a glimpse of one of these characters at home. He 
drove up alone with Lord Brouncker, in a coach and six. 
No doubt the hill made the six very necessary, as in 
another place Pepys talks of the bad road to Highgate. 
They joined Lord Lauderdale “ and his lady, and some 
Scotch people,” at supper. Scotch airs were played by 
one of the servants on the violin; “ the best of their 
country, as they seemed to esteem them, by their praising 
and admiring them: but, Lord ! the strangest ayre that 
ever I heard in my life, and all of one cast. But strange 
to hear my Lord Lauderdale say himself that he had 
rather hear a cat mew, than the best musique in the 
world ; and the better the musique, the more sick it 
makes him; and that of all instruments, he hates the 
lute most, and next to that the baggpipe.” These 
sentiments may not prove that Lauderdale was “ a 
man of mighty good reason and judgement,” as Lord 
Brouncker assured Pepys when he said he thought it 
“ odd company,” but at least it shows him honest! 
How many people who sit patiently through a per¬ 
formance of the “ Ring ” would have as much courage 
of their opinions ? 
