The pleasure-grounds here extend in front of the house, without being continued either to the right or left of it, as in most instances of successful effect in pleasure-ground scenery. They contain a good many acres; but, from their compact roundish form, and their naked obvious outline, the first impression which they made upon us was that of being confined. We should have preferred less depth in front of the house, and a greater extension along the margin of a valley on the north side. It is agreeable to have a secure pleasure-ground, where one can walk safe and secluded; but it is, at the same time, grand, where one can look from the windows of the house, over the wire fence or ha-ha, to an undefined extent of park scenery, where we can ride about at pleasure. There is no natural variation of surface, and very little of distant prospect; so that, to create interest in this scene, it became necessary to form gardens, or parterres, of different kinds, and rockworks. Rare exotic trees and shrubs would also have contributed to the variety; but very few of these have been introduced, either in the open ground or in the conservatory. There is a small spot, surrounded by a hedge of box, called the Monk's Garden; another, called the French Garden; a rosary, rockwork, and some other separate scenes; the best of which is the rockwork, composed of large masses of plum-pudding stone, a production which abounds in this county. There is no great variety of plants in the conservatories; but such as are there are, in general, of this most showy kinds; and, being brought forward in reserve-houses, are only placed in the conservatory when in flower, or in their best state. Very few plants, and those chiefly creepers, are fixtures in the soil. There is a Pittosporum undulatum, with a round head, 10 ft. or 12 ft. in diameter. The principal conservatory connects the state-rooms with the chapel; and, we should think, is one of the finest Gothic structures for plants in England. [We have since seen that at Alton Towers, in Staffordshire, which is considerably larger, and, when we last saw it, in 1831, was in the very best possible order.] Both front and roof are glazed with plate glass. A plan of the principal floor of the house, conservatories, and chapel is given in Brewster's, Encyclopï¾µdia (art. Architecture), as an example of every modem comfort and luxury, combined with the ancient style of building. The architect was Mr. Jeffrey Wyatt, now Sir Jeffrey Wyattville.
