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of his professional life, Repton was an avowed defender and follower of Brown; but finding public opinion strongly sympathising with the views of Price, he judiciously sacrificed his prepossessions to the prevailing taste, and powerfully contributed by his beautiful designs, to the firm establishment of the system of landscape gardening, which may now be observed in every newly formed domain attached to the mansion of a wealthy proprietor.

I am not acquainted with the name of the artist gardener, who, during the present century, assisted in the formation of the beautiful demesne of Belvoir Castle: and I feel less solicitous about this fact, as it is known, that the Duchess herself, imagined, planned, and superintended the execution of the designs, which have now ripened into such luxuriant beauty. It would be impossible to describe in words, the magnificent series of landscapes which may be observed in various parts of the demesne. I would even go so far as to assert, that it would require a combination of the diversified talents of the three greatest landscape painters the world ever saw, to do justice to the subject. The grace of Claude, the depth and simplicity of Poussin, and the wildness of Salvator Rosa, combined in one individual, could alone pourtray on canvas, a faithful character of the Belvoir scenery. My readers will then scarcely expect, that I could efficiently describe it in order to their guidance. It must be seen, to be properly appreciated; and viewed not with the hurried incurious eye of a hasty visitor; but advantage taken of a lengthened pause at every break where a grotto, or a rustic seat shews, that the noble family has already appreciated every striking point of the landscape. This is more especially manifest in an avenue extending in a winding direction towards the west, for nearly two miles, called the DUKE'S WALK.

Below the slope to the west of the Castle, there is a gar

den of some interest, effectually secluded from the view when in the Castle, and in every other point. This was a favorite retreat of the Duchess with her young family. A few memorials of the former ornamental style of gardening, are here preserved with apposite taste. I would instance the five statues in granulated stone, representing

Juno, with her peacock, and a bunch of grapes in her left hand.

Ceres, with ears of corn and a sheaf. On the pedestal of this statue are arms, Rutland impaling, fretty, a canton ermine.

A Female Figure, with a monkey.

Pomona, with flowers and a flower pot.

Winter, in beard, trowsers, hood, and plaid mantle, cringing over a firepan.

This last statue exhibits admirable invention, character, and execution.

A flight of steps with massive balustrade,—a remnant of the former decorations of the garden,—conducts us to a kind of wilderness, intersected by narrow footpaths, which lead to various portions of the demesne, below the now green terraces. Within a few hundred yards of the above-mentioned garden, is another still more secluded, and the more especial favorite of the Duchess. It is in this last, that we observe the column which, with its inscription and a portion of the surrounding garden, has been introduced into the picture of the Duchess, by Hoppner, in the regent's gallery. The charm of both these gardens consists, not so much in their artificial embellishments, or the beauty and rarity of the flowers, as in their situation. The visitor, passing through narrow avenues of lofty trees, winding about on the side of the hill, unexpectedly emerges upon a little cleared spot, traversed by gravel walks, and glowing with gay flowers. The walks on the side of this hill have some

thing of a labyrinthal character; and without a guide, the stranger must often retrace his steps in vain, to find an avenue of communication with some longed for spot; a break in the foliage every now and then disclosing the magnificent Castle, rising with royal grandeur far above him.

A path through the plantations conducts with devious windings to an extensive area, in the centre of which stands an attractive building, called the DAIRY. There is a combination of Norman massiveness in the details, with a lantern (architectural) like lightness in the whole effect of this building, which is particularly pleasing. Several paths and drives in various portions of the demesne, seem to meet here as a common centre. This building is indeed a beautiful object at various distances, and in various directions. Viewed from the garden gate, which forms the vignette embellishment of this volume, it appears the terminal point of a superb avenue; and may be supposed to be the lodge of the demesne. It possesses something of a similar character, when first seen on approaching the Castle from the lake. From more open points it might be mistaken for the mansion of a small ornamental farm. I do not think its real destination would be imagined, if viewed from any position. Whether this varied character of embellishment was intended in the choice of a site, and in the architectural features of the dairy, I am not able to say: but I think it must be admitted, that the exclusion from the imagination of the spectator, of its real and more humble use, is in perfect keeping with the elevated conceptions impressed upon the mind, by a contemplation of the universally magnificent features of the Belvoir demesne.

A stranger at the dairy, looking down the avenue to the lofty Gothic arch, with its crocketted domes, will naturally be attracted in that direction. If he wishes to give his

imagination full scope, and is determined to admit nothing which will lower its exalted impressions; he will proceed no further than half way down the avenue, to a cleared spot, where he will not only advantageously observe the dairy in one direction, and the arch in the other; but be charmed with the gracefulness and variety of the foliage of which the avenue is composed. Something of the enchantment of the scene is dispelled, if he approaches the arch more closely. Its proper beauty remains the same: and it is found that the arch is winged by walls, to which a Gothic keeping has been imparted. But then he also discovers, that its practical use is the very simple one of being the means of communication with the kitchen gardens: very excellent things in their way, but affording no scope for a poetical imagination.

But our stranger will be in some degree compensated for his loss of much ideal beauty, if he will pass through the iron gates of the arch, and immediately look through them at the Castle towering above him. There is nothing ideal in that view. I was myself so much struck with it, that it was long before I could determine whether I should not select it as the very best view of the Castle, for an illustration to this volume. The greater breadth, and the more varied character of the architecture of the north-cast aspect, alone carried the point. There is in the regent's gallery a very fair representation of the Castle as seen from the garden gate, by a lady amateur.

We have, tempted by the devious character of the demesne itself, wandered somewhat out of the regular course observed in shewing strangers its various attractive features. But I am supposing, that, with some of my readers, it may not always be a question of time, when they visit Belvoir. The passing traveller, if urged by pressing engagements, will do wisely, to apply for guidance through the demesne. And, indeed, a visitor for the first time had better follow the same

course. But if he repeat his visit, and who would not if he could, and leisure be at his command; let him thread each mazy path, untutored: committing himself, once in a while, to an unfettered imagination.

Having arrived at the garden gate, it will be as well to continue on the road till we approach the stables and offices. These are the only exceptionable feature in the demesne. The most inventive faculty of the most successful landscape gardener could, by no combinations of his art, render them otherwise than bald and unsightly. They are of earlier date than the present Castle. We pass them, and soon arrive at the Belvoir Inn, of whose internal accommodations the visitor may have occasion to speak, as they deserve, most favorably. Of its exterior, we may, perhaps, be permitted to express an opinion, that something more worthy of its immediate neighbourhood might be imagined. But we have at present food for more solemn thought. In the dovecot close near the Inn, is the site of the ancient Priory, where rest the ashes of the mighty dead :—the founder, three of the Albinis, and some of the De Roos family; a Deincourt, a Staunton, a De Vaux. Traces of the foundations may still be discerned, on each side of the private rail-road.

A few observations compressed from Nichols, may, now we are on the spot, perhaps be allowed, which could not be so conveniently introduced in the early part of the work.

The village of Belvoir was so closely connected with the Priory, and with the neighbouring township of Woolsthorp, that it is now not very easy to state any separate history of either. One fact seems ascertained, that the priory church of Belvoir was the parochial also. Richard de Staunton, rector ejusdem ecclesiæ, lay near the chapter house wall. The word ejusdem can refer to no other church than that, in whose chapter house he lay. Gilbert Suttere and Margery his wife lay at the south point of the high altar of the

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