In order to convey an idea of the general effect of the park and garden scenery of Wimbledon House, and to afford some relief to the reader after the fatigue of perusing so many details, we shall briefly notice the general impressions the scenery made on us when we first saw the place some years ago. Passing through the entrance-hall and the saloon to the gravel walk on the lawn front, a magnificent panoramic view presents itself; consisting of park scenery in the foreground, enlivened with a fine piece of water (see fig. 311.), and with a rich, verdant, tame country in the extreme distance. Among the trees in the park are some fine old oaks and beeches, some very large evergreen oaks, and several large pines, firs, and cedars. The stranger, if he proceeds along the gravel walk to the left, will find it lead him to an ancient green-house, or orangery, and thence to the flower-garden, the kitchen-garden, the farmery, and the farm. If on the contrary, he walks to the right, he will pass through a variety of scenery, at first highly polished with a smoothly mown lawn, and afterwards of a more rustic description; till, having walked upwards of a mile, he arrives at the flower-garden, kitchen-garden, etc, last instead of first.

We took the right-hand walk from the house, and, passing along it, the first remarkable objects which struck us in the foreground were some very large evergreen oaks, with trunks 2 1/2 ft. in diameter. On the right was a rural fruit-garden, planted with the common summer fruits, such as the cherry, gooseberry, raspberry, strawberry, etc, for the indulgence of the young people, who were allowed to gather them here for themselves. This may be called a children's fruit-garden; and it appears to us one of the most amiable features, next to children's gardens (that is, gardens which they are to lay out and cultivate themselves), that can be formed in a suburban residence. Near this rural fruit-garden was a garden for British plants, managed solely by Miss Marryat; and beside it was a dell filled with rhododendrons, which, from the moistneas and shadiness of the spot, had attained an extraordinary size, and were growing with great luxuriance. Adjoining the evergreen oaks was a large cork-tree, a very fine Ligustrum lucidum, gigantic common and Portugal laurels, a large red cedar, a Rhododendron p6nticnm upwards of a hundred feet in circumference, and immense masses of ivy supported on pollard oaks, which looked like some strange kind of evergreen tree; and, farther on, were several lofty silver firs.

Passing through a small wicket in the wire fence which separates the pleasure-ground from the park, but still following the walk, we found ourselves in comparatively open scenery; and, the atmosphere being tolerably clear, we observed the towers of Westminster Abbey and the dome of St. Paul's in the extreme distance. From some points of view, Wimbledon Park, the seat of Earl Spencer, which borders Wimbledon House, on two aides, contributes to the effect of the scenery in the park belonging to the latter, more especially by the aid of a beautiful sheet of water; and, in one part, the windings of the Thames itself are seen from a seat under an immense beech-tree, one branch of which measured, in 1829,75 ft. in length. Passing through a rustic gate, we arrived at a spacious ivy-covered summer-house, situated on a slight eminence, and furnished with a large table and matted seats, capable of accommodating a party of twenty. This summer-house overlooks that part of the grounds which is called the Wilderness (fig. 311.), in which there are several pieces of water, overhung with weeping willows, and inhabited by numerous wild aquatic fowl.

Descending from the summer-house, we passed a rocky cascade, studded with alpine plants, and ascended, through a shrubbery, to a romantic grotto; from the entrance of which there it the retired home view shown in fig, 313. This grotto was formed by Bushell. - the most celebrated grotto and cascade artist that ever appeared in England. The grotto at Pain's Hill is considered his chefd'oeuvre; and next to it ranks the one at Oatlands, which the grotto at Wimbledon resembles in general character. Entering an open grove of forest trees, we next come to a light iron bridge, passing over which, we noticed an immense pollard oak some centuries old, covered with ivy, and a very large Magnolia acuminata, which was an imported plant, and brought from America by the botanist Fraser. Here are, also, Pinus serotina, and some other American trees, which were planted here when they were first introduced into England. From this open grove, which is situated near the largest piece of water, the stranger may either proceed to the gardens and farm-buildings. by an open path directly through the park, or by a circuitous course in the boundary plantation, which forms two sides to the arable land.

Arrived at the farmery and the poultry-yard, their details will be found remarkably complete, as the plans and descriptions which we have already given will prove. The kitchen-garden is chiefly remarkable for producing excellent crops; but the grand feature of the place, in a gardening point of view, is the flower-garden, which occupies upwards of three acres, and contains above 200 beds of flowers. These beds are of different shapes and sizes, and they are scattered over the surface with very little regard to regularity or symmetry; the object, apparently, being to get as many beds as possible into the given space, allowing a small strip of grass between them, in order to keep them distinct, and to admit of walking round them. In point of general design, therefore, this flower-garden has nothing to recommend it; but, from the great number of beds, and almost endless variety of the kinds and colours of the flowers they contain, it presents a dazzling surface, of the most brilliant colours, mingled together in confusion. This garden is admirably managed by Mrs. Marryat's gardener, Mr. Redding, who keeps an ample stock of plants in pots, in order that, as soon as one crop of flowers begins to fade, the plants may instantly be removed, and replaced by others just coming into bloom.

The number of species cultivated in this garden exceeds 750, exclusive of varieties of florist's flowers, such as dahlias, hearts-eases, tulips, etc The first appearance of gaiety in this garden usually commences in February, with the appearance of crocuses, snowdrops, primroses, and Russian violets. In March, to these are added narcissi of various kinds, numerous species of Scilla, and other early bulbs, together with Saxifrage oppositifolia; and, in April, the different varieties of hyacinth make a splendid show, and perfume the garden with their fragrance. Primroses, double and single, Arabia, Aubrietia, Alyasum, O'robus, the common wallflower, and a number of other plants, produce a brilliant effect during this month; and, from this period, the brilliancy and beauty of the garden never fades during the whole of the summer. In the autumn, the last flowers are those of the dahlia, some of the Mexican and Californian annuals, and the chrysanthemum; and, after these are removed, in consequence of being blackened by frost, the garden depends for its beauty during the winter on the evergreen flowering shrubs, such as Arbutus, laurustinus, .Erica, Daphne, etc.; on the beds of evergreen herbaceous plants, such as pinks, carnations, saxifrages, sweetwilliams, &c; on the green turf, on the rich yellow gravel, on the clear water, and on the state of neatness in which the whole is kept.

Flower-garden at Wimbledon House, showing the Pond and Fountain.