My next move was to the pleasure-ground: somewhat extensive, and containing at the extremity a large sheet of water, partly an artificial increase by an extension of the river Avon. This is rather a sluggish river, flowing immediately under the castle walls; and what may surprise others, as it certainly did me, was to find in such a place a flour-mill keeping up an incessant clack-clacking: true, there may be music in a noise of that kind, but to the majority, I fear, it is rather harsh. This department was not highly kept; profit appears to be a greater object than pleasure, so that there is only a small portion set apart as dress ground. The majority of the trees are such as are usually to be found in park scenery. There is a considerable number of the Lebanon Cedar, when in full vigour a beautiful object; but nearly all have reached their climacteric, and show signs of decay. Here and there are dotted a few specimens of Conifera, but not of sufficient interest to claim any share of our attention. On an elevated position overlooking the lake, at a considerable distance, stands the conservatory; and if the name designates a plant-house, there coidd not possibly be a more flagrant misapplication.

The roof is slated and plastered inside, supported in front by columns, between which are glazed sashes, admitting just enough light to torture vegetation. The only plant of value was a healthy and handsome Dicksonia antarctica - apparently just the situation it requires.

In the centre, on a square marble pedestal, stands the celebrated "Warwick Vase," designed of white marble, and executed in the purest Grecian taste, believed to be one of the finest specimens of ancient sculpture at present known. Nothing is certain as to its early history beyond that it was found at the bottom of a lake at Adrian's Villa near Tivoli. The shape is circular, and it holds 136 gallons. Two large handles are attached, formed of interwoven vine-branches, from which the tendrils, leaves, and clustering grapes spread round the upper margin. It rests upon vine-leaves that climb up its sides. In addition to these, there are the heads of satyrs bound with wreaths of ivy, the vine-clad spear of Bacchus, and the crooked staff of the Roman augurs. These were court officials who professed to foretell coming events by sacrifices and divinations of various kinds.

At present there is no flower-garden, only a few miscellaneous beds scattered about the pleasure-ground of various shapes and sizes. But apparently something is to be done, as I observed in front of the conservatory the marking of a new terrace-garden.

"Warwick Castle is said to have been founded in the year 915, by Ethelfreda, daughter of Alfred the Great, but how much, or if any, of the original remains, is a question not easily decided. About such places there is always to be found a class of persons saturated with legendary lore, who are exceedingly desirous to impregnate the minds of strangers with the marvellous. I remember some years ago having asked one of these archaeological professors as to the age of a certain building. To my utter amazement he replied, "Why, as old as the time of Sennacherib." "Come," said I to myself, "this is rather too dense;" and with one breath inquired who was Sennacherib. "Oh!" said my informant,"one of the kings of England." The castle is surrounded by a moat, now dry, and spanned by an arch where the ancient drawbridge stood. Portcullises are mostly numbered with things of the past; two were once used here as a necessity, and one is still preserved as an object of antiquity.

Immediately on entering the gateway that leads to the inner court, a massive irregular castellated building strikes the stranger with awe, and subjects the mind to feelings of intense veneration. Look to the right, and there you see Caesar's Tower, said to be coeval with the Norman Conquest: it has battled against the tempest for eight hundred years, and still continues unscathed. Turn to the left and you observe two unfinished towers begun by Richard III. There is also Guy's Tower, 128 feet high, 30 feet in diameter at the base, and the walls 10 feet thick. After all, the interior of the castle is the real centre of attraction, rich in rare antiquities. The paintings, too, are of a first-class character, and to show that such is true I have only to name some of the artists. There are works by Eembrandt, Yandyck, Rubens, Guido, Mur-illo, and many more of equal merit. Only let me notice the portrait of one among this large collection, that of Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the order of the Jesuits, whose life I have made a subject of study; and never did history and phrenology agree so closely in describing the real character of a man.

But I must make a break here, or the editor will tell us that such matter is more fitted for the pages of the ' Art Journal' than the ' Gardener.'

In the porter's lodge are exhibited the relics of Guy Earl of "Warwick, who, we are told, was nine feet high! If true, his height must have nearly equalled Goliath of Gath, who measured 6 cubits and a span.

The town of Warwick is said to be older than the castle, having been founded, it is believed, about the beginning of the sixth century. If so, it must have been often rebuilt, as no part has an aged appearance. The only public buildings of note are the churches, rich in architectural beauty; but all are surpassed by St Mary's, a magnificent structure founded previous to the Norman Conquest.

The shades of evening had now closed upon me, so I parted with Mr Spink with feelings of sincere gratitude. He had given up his time to me; he had treated me with the greatest kindness where everything and everybody were strangers.

The following morning landed me in the show ground of the Warwickshire Agricultural and Horticultural Society. In no section of the latter department was there anything introduced deserving to he recorded. The character and quality of the material differ in no particular from what is to be seen at our autumn meetings throughout the country. Visit twenty of them, and they will be pretty much the same. This is an age of change, and certainly a change of plants has here become a necessity. The finances of the society suffer by a continued sameness. Often and often have I heard visitors express their disapprobation by saying, "There is nothing new to be seen; it is the same thing over and over again." These are pungent expressions; they convey more than actually appears: it is time, then, for managers to calculate the consequences, as it is they alone who can make the necessary reforms by remodelling their schedule. Only offer remunerative prizes, and gardeners will soon be equal to the demand.

This is not a question that can be fully discussed in an article of this kind: it deserves more thought than a few running comments. The defect is only to be acknowledged, and how to settle it will soon transpire.

As the air of Warwickshire is all the refreshment the managers consider necessary to support their judges, I had now nothing further to detain me, beyond a little professional gossip, so I retraced my steps to Birmingham, and by the next midland train reached Worcester on a visit to Mr Smith's nursery, and fortunately found him at home, and he offered me every facility to look through his extensive grounds.

Alexander Cramb.

The Gardens, Tortworth.

(To be continued).