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and these, after the grow-th of twenty-five years, have totally
changed the character of the place. The house is no longer a
huge pile, standing naked on a vast grazing ground: its walls
are enriched with roses and jasmines; its apartments are per-
fumed with odours from flowers surrounding it on every side:
and the animals which enliven the landscape are not admitted
as an annoyance. All around is neatness, elegance, and com-
fort; while the views of the park are improved by the rich
foreground, over which they are seen from the terraces in the
garden, or the elevated situation of the apartments.
On the whole, Cobham, furnishes a striking example of arti-
ficial arrangement for convenience in the grounds, immediately
adjoining the house, contributing to the natural advantages of
its situation and scenery, and enriched by the most luxuriant
foliage and verdure. The home views give a perfect idea of
what a park ought to be, without affecting to be a forest; for
although its extent of domain might warrant such character,
there is a natural amenity in the face of the country, that is
more beautiful than romantic, more habitable than wild; and
though in the valleys the view is not enlivened by water, which
in a chalk soil is not to be expected, yet from the elevated points
of the park the two most important rivers of England, the
Thames and Medway, form part of the distant prospect.