There are a number of ornamental cottages scattered round the margin of Woburn Park, of much exterior beauty, with neat gardens, kept in good order under the direction of the head gardener. In most of them is an apartment for the reception of small parties from the Abbey, who wish to amuse themselves by allusions to primitive simplicity: for it is one of the enjoyments of those who are habituated to live in a style of high art and refinement to take occasional refuge in the contrast produced by comparative artlessness and simplicity. The farm lands were in beautiful order; the new-sown wheats already above ground, and the drilled turnips luxuriant, considering the by-past season. We pointed out to Mr. Forbes a defect in the training of the young hedges, which we did not expect from a Northumbrian manager; that of training them upright in the sides, instead of beveling them to the centre, like a hogged mane. There are a great many fine oak trees in the park: a number are of considerable age, and of these some now and then show symptoms of decay. When that is the case, it appears to be cus tomary for the forester, Mr. Ireland, to paint a white line round the trunk, in order to show the duke that such trees ought to be felled. The duke, however, does not always consent to the opinion of the forester, but wisely prefers retaining some grand and picturesque forms, though in a state of decay, as proofs of the antiquity of the scenery, and as contrasts to the youth and vigour of more recent growths.
