Endsleigh; the Duke of Bedford. At the entrance there is the largest, most ornamental, and best kept lodge-garden we have yet seen in Devonshire, and which may be described as characteristic of all the lodges to the Duke of Bedford's residences. Proceeding along the approach, we pass another splendid cottage-garden, the low wooden fence beautifully covered with different-coloured nasturtiums varied by dahlias. This cottage is occupied by Mr. Forester, who has the general charge of the demesne. A little beyond this cottage we obtain the first glance at the Tamar, here a clear and rapid river, passing through richly wooded banks and fertile meadows. "The cottage on the banks of the Tamar" is hot now thatched, as represented in Repton's works, and as it was when he laid out the grounds, but slated; and, though it still maintains the character of a cottage, it is, without doubt, a very commodious dwelling. Mr. Repton's description of the situation and his improvements, as printed in our edition of his works, p. 586-597., is calculated to give such a clear idea of the place, that, as we have at present little time, we gladly refer to it. We admire Endsleigh exceedingly, for its natural beauties, and for the very high keeping displayed in all that we saw. Over a fountain in the stable yard is the following inscription: - "Endsleigh cottage was built, and a residence created in this sequestered valley, by John Duke of Bedford; the spot having been previously chosen, from the natural picturesque beauties which surround it, by Georgiana Duchess of Bedford. The first stone of the building was laid by her four elder sons, Wriothesley, Edward, Charles Fox, and Francis John, Sept. 7. 1810." [Editor's Note: Endsleigh Cottage Garden was designed by Humphry Repton. The garden has been restored (2005) and the building is used as a hotel]
