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ham, and in its grand sweep beneath the park wood, when it takes its leave of them.

This description comprehends the exterior features of the principal views from Nuneham, and we shall now proceed to trace the line of the garden, which, besides its own extensive beauties, gives so many charming subdivisions of the general prospect.

The terrace, disdaining the regularity annexed to its name, takes the natural form of the ground over which it passes, as well as the direction of the garden boundary; and keeping always above the slopes and declivities, maintains throughout its course an elevated situation. It proceeds from the northern side of the house; when the eye passing over a glade rich in verdure, penetrates a long arch of foliage up to the west end of the church, which appears on an elevated situation, and the entrance from thence to the family closet, being decorated with a semi-rotunda of Ionic columns, supporting a dome, produces the elegant form of a temple of that Order. A grove of fine elms ascends to the west end of the church, and the walk winding round it reaches the principal portico of that beautiful structure. It consists of six large Ionic columns supporting a pediment, above which a dome springs from the centre of the building; the whole assuming the form of a Grecian temple. This superb piece of architecture, though attached to, has no communication with, the church, the principal entrance being on the opposite side, and was erected merely as an ornament to the garden. It stands on a brow of exuberant verdure, which takes a circular sweep to the right; is occupied by a grove of elms, and projects on the descent to the left. In its front the ground falls in a various wave of surface to a glade, which steals away beneath the spreading branches of trees towards the meadows. Elms of the most luxuriant foliage, and feathering down to the turf beneath them, form, in the bottom, an irregular boundary, that just admits the view of a verdant woody slope, beyond

NUNEHAM COURTENAY.

which the elevated village of Heddington, at the distance of a few miles, opposes itself the portico; and, being enriched with several handsome houses of stone, is suited to the scene. The path now sweeps round the upper part of this delightful glade, beneath the shade of flourishing beech trees that crown its shelving sides, which stretch down to the trees, whose thick masses of foliage enrich the bottom; while Oxford appears through an opening in their upper branches.

A little onward from beneath a venerable elm on the upper part of the declivity, the Thames is seen through two separate branches of the glade; but in that immediately before it, the ground assumes such pleasing shapes, the foliage of the trees forms such grateful outlines, which correspond so happily with the undulating surface that descends towards them, while different clumps make out such various and natural divisions, that they altogether compose a consummate picture of sylvan beauty.

nature.

The walk now assumes a more regular form, and after giving a peep in a sequestered part of the park, ascends into a thick grove of gloomy shade; and, having made the circuit of an hill covered with stately trees, it returns to itself, and re-conducts to the house. But though, in its returning progress, the same objects are seen, their appearance is so changed, and their perspective positions so varied, that the charm of novelty is still added to those of taste and On re-entering what may be called the Portico glade, a scene displays itself, which, in its kind, has no equal that we have ever seen, and is very superior, as we think, to the situation of the Temple of Victory and Concord, in Stow gardens, which has been so much admired by the landscape gardener. Its character is grandeur, but the grandeur is twofold; beneath clouds it is solemn, and in sunshine it is splendid. The walk now reskirts the glade, repasses the Portico, and gradually descends towards the house, and to a review of those extensive prospects which aggrandise its superior situation.

We now proceed from the house, as a central point, to the south side of the garden, and, rounding the left corner of it, just touch on the extremity of an expanding lawn, that falls towards the river, to enter a rich and beautiful plantation, which thickens along the upper part of it. Here the extensive view of the country had originally no interruption, so that the uniformity of prospect, however attractive in itself, was liable to satiate the eye, and, being a continuation of the expansive view which is seen from the principal apartments of the house, lost the charm of variety. This plantation, therefore, creates a new effect, by producing that temporary concealment, which gives fresh spirit, as it were, to the re-appearance of the prospect. It is full of those varieties which arise from the form, growth, and colour of trees, connected by approaching similitudes to the shrubs intermixed with them. It has also sufficient depth to admit of a returning walk, which, by being rather more enclosed, aids the variety, and confirms the effect, designed to be produced by it.

A broad gravel walk leads through this plantation, in a gently bending line, and with an easy rise, between unequal breadths of verdure, planted here and there, with the most elegant evergreens; and before the shrubbery, on either side, is a border gay with a profusion of flowers. This progressive scene of fragrant seclusion is suddenly enlivened by an opening into the park, where an expansive rising length of undulating lawn, beautifully wooded, and enlivened by herds of deer, unfolds itself to the view; which the visitor may be induced to prolong from a seat that here invites him to repose beneath an elm of immense shade. A little further onward, near an oak of great beauty, is an urn, erected to the memory of the late William Whitehead, Poet Laureat. It stands on a pedestal, encircled by the laurel, the bay tree, and the rose; and enriched by an elegiac inscription, from the Muse of Mason. In the background of the picture, and a most elegant decoration of it, is a Corinthian portico, adorned with all the enrichments of

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Tandon Abbashed Feb 18 by Vaner Hood & Share Poultry & W. Joke 12 York Place Pentonville.

Engraved by W.Cooke.

Nuncham Courtenay, bridge & Cottage

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