OCTOBER. 
293 
that there is a unity of character about the whole which forms perhaps 
not the least interesting feature about it. One objection we have ; and 
that is to the pieces of sculpture recently placed at the two fountains on 
the terrace walks, neither of which, in our opinion, are in character 
with the sober tone of the other accessories, either as to material or 
design. Descending from the upper gardens by the same flight of 
steps, the base line of the bank which flanks the house, at the bottom 
of which a walk conducts to the church, is prettily ornamented by a 
ribbon of flowers, composed of a front line of Golden-chain Geranium, 
next Lobelia ramosoides, then Cerise Unique Geranium, followed by 
yellow Calceolaria, and backed by the purple Zelinda Dahlia; above 
which the slope is planted with evergreens cut down to a certain height, 
to allow of some portion of the terrace-gardens being seen from below. 
A small but unique architectural conservatory adjoins the mansion, and 
connects it with the retaining wall, above which rises the terrace- 
garden—this was very gay with Fuchsias, Achimenes, Liliums, and 
other plants in season just now. 
On the whole, this interesting place should be visited, fully to under¬ 
stand its peculiarities. To the admirer of the picturesque it will afford 
a treat; while the professional artist and landscape gardener will meet 
with much about the place worthy of being committed to the sketch¬ 
book or memory. Castle Combe is about five miles from Chippenham, 
and ten from Bath. 
S. 
NATIONAL FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Sept. 3.—G. Holmes, Esq., Norwich, in the chair. Dahlias were 
numerous, and the quality for the most part above the average. The 
censors were Messrs. W. Holmes, C. Lidgard, J. Pope, and T. Moore. 
First Class Certificates were awarded to Commander (Fellowes), 
yet a class much wanted, a large sized dark flower, not quite to our 
mind; Queen (Rawlings), a striped fancy of merit; Alice Downie 
(Keynes), a full-sized white, of whose centre we are rather fearful ; 
Sir J. Paxton (Dodds), deep yellow faintly tipped purple, of full size 
without coarseness ; Venus (Rawlings), a flower of decided merit. 
Certificates of Merit to King (Rawlings), a flower of the style and 
marking of Miss Burdett Coutts, colour^fawn, the under side of the 
florets rosy purple ; Mrs. Church (Church), large yellow tipped rosy 
purple, when well tipped is quite a gem ; Canary (Fellowes), a pretty 
ordinary flower, of a pale canary yellow colour. Mr. Perry staged a 
striped fancy named Papilio ; this we expect to see better. Mr. 
Wheeler had three varieties, all too small as shown. Mr. Rawlings, 
in addition to those before enumerated, contributed Mr. Critchet, 
orange buff; Mrs. Boshell, striped fancy. G. Holmes, Esq., brought a 
striped fancy named Flirt, buff ground, flaked and streaked with crimson 
purple. Mr. Green had Village Gem, Beauty of High Cross, and 
Village Bride ; tliree flowers of more than ordinary merit, which will 
be hereafter described. Mr. Turner’s flowers were not in his usual 
