Mr. Donald's Arboretum at Goldworth is in a most thriving state; and the pines, firs, cypresses, thorns, and various other genera, are bearing seeds. That noble tree Araucaria imbricata has stood out three years without the slightest protection. We were sorry to see the effect of this arboretum much injured by dahlias, madias, and other showy flowers being planted in it. It cannot be too often repeated, that, wherever trees and shrubs are intended to be the principal objects, whether for botanical study, or general effect, the attention of the spectators ought never to be distracted by planting flowers among them. A complete natural arrangement of named herbaceous plants has been formed adjoining the arboretum, since we last visited Mr. Donald; so that his nursery is now an admirable botanical school; and, considering the wild beauty of the surrounding country, and the cheapness of house-rent, Goldworth appears to us to be a most desirable place for a family to retire to during a few summer months. When the Southampton railroad, which passes close to the nursery, is completed, this part of the country will soon afterwards be covered with villas; a purpose for which it is in many respects admirably adapted, having a dry soil, an irregular surface, and extensive prospects, with no large mansions or extensive parks within seven miles. Mr. Donald's nursery was, as usual, in perfect order, and not a weed was to be seen, though the whole force was here, as everywhere else, employed in watering. Mr. Donald is building some additional cottages, to render his workmen comfortable. The walls are hollow, on Silverlock's plan; and about the eighth of an acre is added to each dwelling as a garden. No man is a kinder master than Mr. Donald, and no one can be more beloved and better served by his workmen. In passing along the common to Bagshot, an immense mound appears at a distance from the road, crossing a valley in which there is neither hedge, house, road, tree, nor ploughed ground. It is a wild part of the heath, which has probably never been touched by man since it was left by the waters of the deluge: there is something grand in seeing this noble mound majestically crossing it in order to carry forward the railroad on the proper level; and one is tempted to speculate on the probability, at some distant time, of the whole globe being covered and penetrated by railroads, at convenient distances, cutting through low hills, and raising banks across shallow valleys; and tunneling mountains, and crossing deep valleys on bridges. The whole continent of North America will probably be the first large portion of the world that will exhibit this state of things; but, if the nations of Europe were but as anxious to make roads and railroads as they once were to make war, we should soon be in advance of our transatlantic brethren.
