We cannot but remark on the felicity with which the oval figure has been chosen for framing these little scenes, and how well the shape and size of the aperture fulfil its intention. Any more irregular opening would have the effect of scattering too much the objects to be revealed, whereas this serves to concentrate and confine them. A circular aperture, again, would produce the same bad result as an irregular one, unless it were quite small, when it would have to be looked through with effort, and the whole scene would be taken in only by degrees. The oval, on the other hand, as here adopted, is in itself a beautiful figure, and directly the eye catches it, all that is wished to be seen through it is exhibited at once. The suddenness with which the view opens upon us is fully half of the charm. Any gradual unfolding of the scene would ruin it.

Following the walk which runs along the boundary of the pleasure grounds, we see how nicely these are separated from the park. A very low hedge is placed in the bottom of a hollow, and its line its broken by a few dwarf evergreens, such as Rhododendrons, scattered here and there regularly along the inside. Standing on the walk, therefore, or the lawn, we scarcely observe this boundary line, because it is so low and unobtrusive, and does not at all arrest the sight, while it is quite hidden from the other side of the place.

Around some of the plantations at this end of the park, luxuriant masses of the double-blossomed furze form a broken and beautiful fringe, carrying the line of plants well down to the ground, and blending it with the grass, besides making a very brilliant display in the blooming season. Tufts of this furze, or of various brooms, scattered along the margins of park plantations, would often be exceedingly valuable in giving roundness and finish to their outline, and would furnish splendid patches of color in spring, besides being green and lively through the winter. In this part of the pleasure grounds, the varied openings occasioned by Mr. Rep ton's operations on the southern belt are especially conspicuous and important, as that belt is so comparatively near.

Two other avenues, besides the one already named, cross the principal lawn of the pleasure grounds. That farthest to the west is composed of Deodar cedars, with a row of Irish yews in front of each line of them, the yews alternating with the cedars. These deodars, of which there are some in other parts of the gardens, are very beautiful specimens, and must, in time, become grand objects. This avenue is terminated by a small temple at the north end, containing a statue of the Dying Gladiator. The temple was much used by Pope when Lord Warwick was proprietor of this place. Another avenue is of Araucaria imbricata, the plants being very regular and healthy, and having lines of Cupressus juniptroides in front of them.

In addition to these avenues of choice plants, great numbers of rare specimens are placed about the lawn. There is an unusually large and good Abies Webbiana, draliaja-ponica, a fine Catalpa, many scarce and beautiful pines, firs, Ac., and some very excellent variegated hollies.

At the west end of the garden, a cedar of Lebanon has been used as the nucleus of a small detached plot, planted to resemble a cemetery of the Crusaders said to be still existing at Jerusalem. Its surface is varied by masses of fused bricks, thrown up into irregular shapes, and formed in one part into a rude and picturesque arch. Groups of the same materials are continued from this spot into the pleasure grounds, at the side of a secluded walk, which affords an exit from the place towards Brentford. All these masses are partially clothed with ivy, and having generally a rugged outline, it is remarkable how speedily the ivy disguises the meanness of the material, and converts it into a beautiful feature. Irish yews, junipers, savins, weeping willows, Ac, constitute the other and appropriate ornaments of the so-called cemetery; which must be looked at solely as a picturesque episode in the garden, and without reference to its avowed purpose.

Nearly adjoining the plot just described is a large circular hollow, surrounded with masses of shrubs and trees, and having a fountain in the center, which plays over a pile of moss-covered rocks. On the west side of this spot is another fountain, half shrouded by trees, which are mostly weeping willows. Many of the trees here take picturesque forms, and are covered with ivy. The water trickles over masses of stone, clothed with many species of wild plants, and is very pretty in summer, or when the sun is shining. This little scene is quite complete in itself, and being in a corner, and a hollow, much shut

In a surrey of these pleasure grounds there is much to satisfy and please. A great deal of variety, and several delightful minor compartments, are secured. In general, too, there is much harmony and good taste shown in the arrangements and the decorations. The leading cause for regret is that the breadth of the lawn has been sacrificed to obtain the cross avenues we have spoken of. These lines of plants cut up the lawn very much, and destroy all appearance of openness or extent. Two of them are likewise altogether without an object; and as the plants in them all grow up, we can only conceive of their becoming still more objectionable. Scarcely any consideration can ever justify the use of lines of plants across a lawn that comes into view from the house; and the only show of reason which can be assigned for their use in this case is, that they supply the means of exhibiting some highly beautiful plants to great advantage.

A quiet walk from the western side of the lawn leads through the plantations, beneath an arched trellis embowered with climbers, to the department in which the plant houses are situated. And here the real treasures of the place begin to develop themselves. In regard to the size and rarity of the specimens, the superiority of their cultivation, and the quantity possessed, there is probably no collection in Europe which, in all these respects, can at all rival this.