The vicarage grounds lie along the churchyard, from which they are separated by an open fence, so that the churchyard forms, as it were, a part of the pleasure-ground. The general surface, both of the vicarage and churchyard, is flat, but the soil is excellent, and there is an agreeable declivity from the lawn front of the bouse to the boundary of the property. The living was taken possession of by Mr. Sandford only a few years ago, on which occasion that gentleman consulted us professionally, and sent us the ground plan of the place in the state it then was. We made some slight alterations in the position of the entrance gates, and in the direction of the approach; and suggested the idea of forming a circular kitchen-garden; the circle being the largest geometrical figure that could be introduced into the particular spot where it was placed. As the situation of this kitcheu-garden is at no great distance from the front of the house, in order to prevent the intrusion of a garden wall so near the eye, we proposed having that half of the kitchen-garden boundary which is next to the lawn an open iron railing, which, being partially covered with fruit trees, and disguised by the shrubs which intervene between it and the house, would neither give the idea of nearness to the eye, which a wall would have done, nor of confinement.

Flower-garden at Hoole House, from the drawing-room window.

Rockwork at Hoole House,, from the centre of the Fiower-garden.

Rockwork, Lawn, and Camellia-house, at Hoole House, from the North-east.

Some difficulty occurs in carrying a walk round the boundary of a churchyard, in consequence of the numerous gravestones which would come in its way; but the most likely way to get over it appears to be, the expanding of the walk on both sides of the regular line, on the principle recommended in a preceding page. The house has been improved under Mr. Sandford's own direction, and is now a most commodious and comfortable residence, as the ground plan will show; and a very handsome school has been erected adjoining the churchyard at Mr. Sand-ford's own expense.