July  18,  ld95. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
61 
Unlike  many  famous  places,  Alton  Towers  is  comparatively  modern, 
a  century  not  having  yet  lapsed  since  the  first  stone  was  laid.  The 
mansion  is  a  masterpiece  of  architectural  skill,  and  built  of  sandstone 
quarried  in  the  neighbourhood.  It  is  truly  named,  as  numerous  towers,  j 
chiefly  Norman  in  style,  rise  high  above  the  main  body  of  the  building.  I 
The  same  idea  is  followed  throughout,  as  a  moat  crossed  by  a  drawbridge 
runs  along  the  whole  frontage,  and  thick  loopholed  walls.  Gothic 
windows,  and  portcullissed  gatewavs  bring  to  memory  the  strongholds 
of  Norman  barons,  of  which  this  is  a  type.  A  spacious  lawn  studded 
with  magnificent  Cedars  of  Lebanon  and  other  trees  slopes  down  from  I 
the  front  of  the  mansion  to  the  margin  of  a  large  lake,  along  one  end  of 
which  runs  an  ornamental  bridge. 
It  is,  however,  the  gardens  proper  that  demand  our  attention,  and 
the  main  entrance  to  these  is  effected  by  passing  through  a  pair  of 
handsome  iron  gates  approached  by  a  sweeping  carriage  drive  running 
through  the  lawn.  Words  fail  to  express  the  extreme  beauty  of  the 
scene  that  presents  itself  at  this  point.  Imagine  a  perfect  valley,  which 
must  have  been  picturesque  in  its  wild  state,  with  the  slopes  on  each 
side  clothed  with  magnificent  specimens  of  forest  trees,  and  to  this 
has  been  added  the  superior  touches  of  a  master  hand  in  landscape 
running  parallel  with  the  handsome  scalloped  wall  shown  in  the  picture 
is  the  ribbon  border,  which  is  usually  planted  with  Calceolarias,  white 
Antirrhinums,  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  Pentstemons,  and  white  Viola 
Countess  of  Hopetoun.  Bedding  is  a  large  item  at  Alton  Towers,  and 
the  trouble  and  forethought  required  to  provide  and  keep  up  the  annual 
supply,  not  to  mention  the  labour  of  planting,  is  known  only  to  those 
who  are  responsible.  Dahlias  are  largely  used  and  are  propagated  in 
hundreds,  nay  thousands.  Though  many  of  the  Fancy  and  Cactus 
varieties  are  grown,  preference  is  given  to  the  singles,  and  large  beds  of 
these  massed  together  produce  a  showy  effect.  Particularly  striking 
amongst  other  kinds  are  Lady  of  the  Lake,  single  white,  and  Formosa, 
with  bright  scarlet  flowers  and  graceful  habit.  Along  each  side  of  the 
walk  in  question  are  planted  alternately  small  clumps  of  Dahlias  and 
Zonal  Pelargoniums  trained  as  pyramids,  interspersed  with  shapely 
specimens  of  Acer  Negundo  variegata,  the  light  foliage  of  which 
contrasts  pleasingly  with  the  sombre  Cedars  and  Hemlocks. 
Ivy  is  found  everywhere,  climbing  up  tree  trunks,  clothing  terrace 
walls,  and  in  other  places  covering  the  ground  in  creeping  luxuriance. 
Owing  to  the  undulating  nature  of  the  ground,  a  journey  round  the 
garden  seems  to  be  all  steps,  but  as  the  visitor  goes  up  this  flight  or 
Fig.  9.— ALTON  TOWERS. 
gardening,  with  the  result  that  Art  and  Nature  are  blended  together 
in  a  unison  as  pleasing  in  character  as  it  is  natural  in  effect. 
Rising  from  the  depths  of  the  valley  on  one  side  are  a  series  of 
terraces,  running  parallel  to  each  other,  in  such  a  manner  that  each  is 
shown  to  advantage.  Along  the  edges  of  these  are  placed  large  iron 
vases,  furnished  chiefly  with  Zonal  Pelargoniums,  and  Ivy-leaved 
varieties  hanging  gracefully  round  the  sides.  Fountains,  cascades, 
statues,  rustic  bridges,  and  ornamental  stonework  present  themselves  in 
the  most  unlooked-for  positions,  yet  all  placed  so  as  to  be  in  perfect 
character  with  the  surroundings. 
A  somewhat  steep  slope  forms  the  other  side  of  the  valley,  broken  by 
long  flights  of  stone  steps,  large  masses  of  Rhododendrons,  and  fine 
specimens  of  Copper  Beech,  Cedars,  Hemlock  Spruce,  Scotch  Firs,  and 
Yews.  Nestling  in  the  trees  is  an  Ivy-covered  thatch-roofed  structure 
termed  the  Swiss  Cottage,  so  called  from  the  style  in  which  it  is  builr, 
and  its  quaint  appearance  and  peaceful  surroundings  seem  to  suggest  it 
as  being  an  ideal  spot  to  spend  a  quiet  hour.  I  am,  however,  wandering 
from  the  point,  so  must  return.  Once  inside  the  entrance  gates  the 
first  object  to  claim  attention  is  the  statue  shown  in  the  engraving, 
which  is  a  bust  of  the  originator  of  the  gardens,  and  underneath  the 
figure  are  inscribed  the  words,  “  He  made  the  desert  smile.”  No  words 
more  true  could  have  been  chosen,  for  certainly  in  that  he  succeeded, 
and  when  gazing  at  his  classical  features  one  might  be  forgiven  for 
envying  him  of  his  superior  art.  Surely  such  a  man  could  not  fail  to 
be  happy,  living  as  he  must  have  done  in  sympathy  with  nature, -and  with 
the  means  to  carry  his  superb  taste  for  landscape  gardening  into 
practical  effect. 
At  the  foot  of  the  monument  is  a  carpet  bed  designed  with  taste,  and 
down  that  any  discomfiture  in  pedestrianism  is  amply  rewarded  by  some 
fresh  peep  or  charming  view  that  presents  itself  as  each  turn  is  taken. 
Among  the  many  other  features  for  which  Alton  is  famous  a  long 
range  of  conservatories,  built  at  an  enormous  cost,  with  dome-shaped 
roof  and  ornamental  frontage,  claims  the  visitor’s  attention.  A  peep  inside 
displays  in  one  compartment  a  rockery  artistically  formed  and  well 
furnished  with  Ferns  and  other  trailing  plants  ;  in  another,  massive 
clumps  of  Camellias,  with  Lapagerias  alba  and  rosea  covering  the  rooL 
while  the  corridors  between  are  planted  with  Myrtles,  and  along  the 
roof  of  one  is  a  fine  specimen  of  Wistaria  floribunda.  The  latter  is  a 
favourite,  owing  to  the  fact  that  climatic  conditions  prevent  it  flourish¬ 
ing  outdoors  without  protection  in  the  locality. 
Passing  from  here  another  point  of  interest  is  a  walk,  along  the 
whole  length  of  which  Irish  Yews  have  been  trained  over  in  arches. 
These  are  very  effective,  and  close  by  more  carpet  beds,  clumps  of  Dahlias, 
conical-shaped  Yews,  and  other  ornamental  trees  are  worthy  of  notice, 
but  must  now  be  passed  over.  Mention  must  be  made  of  an  elegant 
stone  structure  in  skeleton  form  known  as  the  “  Arcade.”  Along  the 
summit  of  this  are  figures  of  the  Muses,  and  amongst  others  the  form  of 
Tragedy  holding  a  gory  head  in  her  hands,  contrasts  rather  curiously 
with  the  more  peaceful  appearance  of  Love  and  Art.  Underneath  are 
large  vases  furnished  with  flowers.  Standing  in  a  prominent  position  is 
the  “Temple,”  another  artistic  building  surrounded  by  balconies. 
From  this  point  is  obtained  a  superb  view  of  the  whole  garden,  and 
to  stand  here  some  early  June  morning,  when  all  the  masses  of  Rhodo¬ 
dendrons,  Lilacs,  Laburnums,  and  other  flowering  shrubs  are  in  full 
bloom,  a  spectacle  is  presented  the  extreme  beauty  of  which  is  more 
easily  imagined  than  deicribed,  while  all  around  the  constant  ripple  of 
