terrupted continuity of glitter, constitutes the leading feature of the place. This is very different from the stagnant sheets of water (as they are called) which require masses of planting to hide the mechanism of their artificial deception. One obvious advantage of removing the fence so much nearer the house, will be that of introducing the appearance of cattle to animate the landscape, and, by their perspective effects, to shew the distance of lawn betwixt the house and the Tamar; and, perhaps, a certain portion of the opposite bank might be thrown into pasture, with the same view, when access can be had to it by means of the weir proposed.

COMFORTS AND APPENDAGES.

If houses were built only to be looked at, or looked from, the best landscape painter might be the best landscape gardener; but, to render a place, in all seasons, comfortable, requires other considerations besides those of picturesque effect.

It is during the winter, and in the shooting season, that a residence at Endsleigh will be most desirable; but the climate and south-western aspect of a mountainous district will expose it to the rains, winds, and fogs, which are the natural concomitants of all lofty and picturesque stations. In spring, it has become a fashion to desert the country, and in summer, every field is a garden; but, in autumn and winter, we experience the truth of a maxim which I have endeavoured to inculcate, and must again beg leave to repeat, that a garden is a work of ART, making proper use of the materials of NATURE. A well cultivated fruit-garden requires shelter to secure its produce in autumn; and this same shelter may be extended to the comfort of its inhabitants, during that season when a walk along a south wall, while the sun shines, though "ten times repeated," will please, more than the richest landscape in the most romantic country, when stripped of foliage and exposed to driving winds, and covered with its wintry garment of snow. For this reason, a garden becomes the chief appendage of comfort, and should never be at a distance; and, though it may be offensive, when enclosed in the usual way, with lofty scarlet

walls, yet, if the walls were to be disposed in terraces, and rendered ornamental by piers, or arches, for each tree recessed, the garden at Endsleigh might be made no unsightly feature; but, from the relative situation of the cottage, the proposed conservatory and the plantations, it would be very little seen. The same intervening objects which tend to hide the walls from the view in the valley, will also tend to intercept the current of air, during the sweeping gusts of wind and fog from the south western mountains, at the same time that, from their declivity, the sun's rays will act with uninterrupted force.

We read of the hanging gardens of Babylon, and I have heard described (by an eye-witness) something similar in the gardens still existing near Damascus. Of all the comforts belonging to a garden, there is none more delightful than the covered way, or rustic corridor of Woburn: such a line of communication naturally suggests itself here, from the cottage to the conservatory, and from thence to the forcing-houses, terrace-garden, &c.

The long sketch [fig. 249], is supposed to be taken from the windows of the dining-room; the terraces, grass, and gravel, seem to justify the boldest interference of art in the accompaniments of this garden scene. The style of conservatory, the alcove in the children's garden, and the fountain and artificial trimness of the parterre, must all be considered with reference to the noble occupiers, rather than to the humble character of a cottage. Since contrast and variety are not less sources of pleasure than uniformity, the trim character of this garden of art, will act like the frame to a natural landscape. At the end of the gravel terrace is a quarry, which might be converted into a grotto-like receptacle for specimens of the fossils and ores abounding in the neighbouring mountains.

From these hints, I will confess, that, in two other situations, I have recommended a similar disposal of garden in terraces: but, with this difference, at Beaudesert (Marquis of Anglesea's), the shape of the ground requires the walls to be straight; at Sherringham Bower (Mr. Upcher's), the walls were proposed convex, and the ground behind the cottage at Endsleigh requires the walls to be concave: thus, the same expedient may be varied, to suit various situations, but all contributing to the comfort of habitation.

CONCLUSION.

So interesting and so picturesque a subject, makes me regret the inadequate efforts of my pencil in representing, as well as the difficulty of my progress in viewing it. I will, however, indulge the hope that the preceding pages may not only be useful in improving the scenery of Endsleigh, but in furnishing employment and amusement to its noble possessors for many years to come; and having, in a manner, provided against the rigours of winter, I will not be unmindful of that winter of life which must alike assail the cottage and the palace. With this in view, I will venture to advise, that all the walks be made sufficiently wide to admit a carriage; and having, myself, lost the power of gathering a flower, or picking up a fossil from the ground, I have found great comfort in banks raised to the height of three or four feet on a face of ornamental pebbles, to bring nearer to the eye those lesser rock-plants, or delicate blossoms, which are too minute to be seen from the ground. At this enchanting retreat, the most pleasing attention has been paid to the comforts of infancy and youth, of which the children's cottage is one of the most perfect examples. Let the same attention be extended to solace the infirmities of age.

It is with peculiar satisfaction that I have been called upon to exercise my utmost skill on this subject, since everything that can contribute to the enjoyment of its scenery, I know must also contribute to the improvement of the neighbouring country in its agriculture, its mineralogy, its civilization, and the general happiness of all who dwell within the influence of this cottage on the banks of the Tamar.

FRAGMENT XXXV.

CONCERNING HOUSES OF INDUSTRY.

VERY soon after the Sherringham report had been written, in which some hints respecting the treatment of the poor were introduced, my attention was again called to the subject by an

application from the parish of [Crayford], in Kent, to give a design for a new workhouse, when the following report was addressed to my son, at that time the officiating minister there :

To the REV. EDWARD REPTON,* at [Crayford,] in Kent.

MY DEAR EDWARD,

Your letter, communicating the wishes of your parishioners, that I should give my opinion respecting the plan and situation for a new workhouse, or house of industry, with all proper attention to the comforts of the poor, has excited my heartfelt satisfaction; and, as this may be amongst the last efforts of my professional duties, I feel the subject peculiarly interesting to me.

The present wretched building is so unhealthily placed in the low and wet marshes, that the first consideration seems to be, the choice of a wholesome spot, on a dry soil. This may be found on the edge of the heath about to be enclosed, and near the side of the high road from London to Dover, where a large gravel-pit presents a bold terrace full facing the south, and so formed by the excavations already made, that very little more digging would be necessary to make a secure fence to enclose the premises.

My idea of the design, or plan, and certain regulations for the future comforts of its inhabitants, will, I hope, be understood by a reference to the annexed sketch [fig. 251]. The building, as before mentioned, is supposed to front the south, and to have an ample platform, or terrace, betwixt it and a steep bank of the gravel-pit. The centre consists of one long and lofty room, for the paupers to live in, and to take their meals; this is flanked by two buildings, which contain the governor's and matron's dwelling, kitchen, store-rooms, and other useful apartments. At the back of the premises, towards the north, is a square yard, on each side of which is a workshop, with bed-rooms for the paupers over them.

[ At this time, 1816, curate of Crayford, in Kent, and now, 1839, prebendary of Westminster. In 1808, Mr. Edward Repton published "The Works of Creation," a series of discourses for Boyle's lectures, in one volume 8vo.-J. C. L.]

The difference betwixt the cold darksome gloom of the north quadrangle, and the warm cheerful appearance of the site towards the south, may easily be imagined; and suggests the idea of taking great advantages of the contrast.

Let the back-yard be considered as a sort of punishment for misbehaviour and refractory conduct, where, shut up between four buildings, nothing can be seen to enliven the prospect while, on the contrary, from the south terrace, cheered by the sun, the view of the country will be delightful; since the immediate foreground consists of a garden, and the perpetually varying and moving scene which is presented by the great road to Canterbury, and the coast.

In addition to the usual employments of the paupers in the work-rooms, it were to be wished that more wholesome and useful labour might be taught to the children, than spinning, and other manufactures. This might be considered as the reward of good conduct: the children, supplied with

[Fig. 251. Design for a workhouse proposed for the parish of Crayford, in Kent.]

spades, and hoes, and tools, proportionate to their strength, should be taught and exercised in the cultivation of the garden, and, perhaps, drilled to become the future defenders of their country.

The sketch [fig. 251] will, in some degree, explain the effect of this scene, as viewed from the high road. We may suppose the warm benches, along the front of the building, occupied by the aged and infirm, who may there enjoy their few remaining days of sunshine, without being totally shut out