NOVEMBER. 
329 
- centre. This lawn is embellished with numerous vases, statues, &c., 
interspersed with Irish Yews and Junipers, Yuccas, and some 
groups of low growing evergreen shrubs. We have long advocated 
this style, both as affording a variety of the geometrical style of 
gardening, and also as forming a connecting link between the par¬ 
terre proper and the ordinary dressed grounds of a mansion. At 
Somerleyton the situation is a very happy one, and nothing can be 
more in keeping or appropriate than this lawn, uniting as it does the 
flower-garden and winter-garden (of which we shall have to speak 
presently) with the rest of the grounds and kitchen-garden. 
Abutting on the left wing of the mansion—as seen from this lawn— 
is the winter-garden, a unique conservatory of great extent, and 
intended, as its name implies, to afford to the family all the enjoyments 
and comforts of a garden in all weathers, more particularly during the 
winter season; it may be said to form a part of the mansion, as the 
drawing-room door opens into it. The building is 126 ft. long by 96 ft. 
wide, and 20 ft. high, with a ridge and furrow roof, and a circular 
dome in the centre. The roof is supported by iron pillars, and a pro¬ 
fusion of climbing plants are trained beneath. We were much pleased 
with the manner Mr. Breadley manages these ; for, while kept within 
certain limits as to extent, they are allowed to grow as naturally as the 
situation permits, and the very graceful manner in which they spread 
themselves on the roof trellises, and arch over the paths, contributes in 
no small degree to preserve the appearance of natural growth which 
with these, as in the other plants and their arrangements, constitutes 
the great charm of the place. A large fountain occupies the centre 
of the building, under the dome. The base of the column is very 
artistically made to imitate a natural rock-work, and is planted 
with a variety of Ferns and Lycopods. While deprecating the intro¬ 
duction generally of grottos and rustic fountains in conservatories, 
&c., we confess to an appropriateness of design in the present 
instance, m unison with everything around it, which leaves no room 
for comment. The house contained a miscellaneous collection of plants, 
both planted out and arranged in pots, vases, &c., as the object is 
chiefly, we presume, to present as much change and variety as possible, 
according to the season of the year, and hence the great advantage of 
having sufficient space to introduce plants at pleasure, and to effect any 
alteration in their arrangement circumstances may dictate. , At the 
time of our visit the air was redolent of Heliotrope, Jasmine, and many 
other fragrant plants, which are changed to suit the different seasons ; 
for instance, during winter, Sweetbriars, Violets, Primroses, the spice- 
scented Chimonanthus, &c., are largely introduced ; followed by forced 
Lilacs, Hawthorns, Honeysuckles, Jonquils, &c.; and so on with other 
plants as the season advances. Nothing that we had previously seen 
so completely realised the idea to one’s mind as to what buildings of this 
kind should be, and when lighted up for the reception of company in 
the evening, particularly during winter, it must form a delightful 
promenade, and almost reminds'us of “ a thing to dream of, not to see.*’ 
The whole interior is fitted up with great taste and elegance, and was 
in the best order and keeping. 
{To he continued.) 
