Sept. 6. - Cowley Bank; Mrs. Wells. The grounds consist of a portion of table land, and a steep and varied bank bordered by the rivers Exe and Culm, which here form a junction. The bank has been covered with wood, which in some places is partially removed to make room for lawn, and in others thinned to admit of evergreen under-growths; and there is a considerable extent of walks laid along the bank, so as to display it and the distant scenery to advantage. The views across the river Exe from the house are pleasing, and disclose meadows bounded by banks more gradually sloping than those on the Cowley side, varied by woods, cottages, and some villas. From the walks in the lower part of the grounds two stone bridges are seen, which, amid so much vegetation, have an excellent effect. This place has been judiciously laid out and planted by Mr. Pince, who has exhibited a new feature in the conservatory, viz. that of covering the central bed of soil, in which the camellias, oranges, &c., are planted, with flag-stones supported on cross-walls or props, so as to leave a stratum of air between the flag-stones and the soil. The trees, the stems of which pass through holes in the stones, thrive as well as if the surface of the soil had been exposed to the light and air in the usual manner. This conservatory has the front sashes down to the floor, and sliding past one another; and the roof is formed of stout sash-bars, without conspicuous rafters, but with one or two large sashes for letting down to admit air. It is separated from the dining-room by a lobby, also glazed in the roof and in front, so that none of the air of the conservatory can ever enter the house. The gardener here, Mr. Griffin, has distinguished himself by gaining prizes at exhibitions, both in Devonshire and in the metropolis. He grows heaths admirably, mixing with the rough sandy peat abundance of fragments of stone throughout the whole mass, half the surface consisting of these stones protruding through the soil. This is carrying the practice of introducing fragments of stone in pot culture a step further than Mr. M'Nab has done. There is a flower-garden with the beds on gravel edged with box; the forms without acute angles, so as to admit of covering them with plants. There is a small pinetum, in which there are some specimens of the rarer kinds; and a good collection of showy peat-earth shrubs. The edges of the walks are kept low, so that the flowing lines of the lawn are never interrupted; and the whole place was in excellent order.
