The upper part of a greenhouse shows in the picture. It is sometimes
impossible to keep such a structure out of sight, but one like this, of
the plainest possible kind, is the least unsightly of its class. It is
just an honest thing, for the needs of the garden and for a part of its
owner’s pleasure. The fatal thing is when an attempt is made to render
greenhouses ornamental, by the addition of fretted cast-iron ridges and
fidgety finials. These ill-placed futilities only serve to draw
attention to something which, by its nature, cannot possibly be made an
ornament in a garden, while it is comparatively harmless if let alone,
and especially if the wood-work is not painted white but a neutral grey.
In all these matters of garden structures; seats, arbours and so forth,
it is much best in a simple garden to keep to what is of modest and
quiet utility. In the case of a large place, which presents distinct
architectural features, it is another matter; for there such details as
these come within the province of the architect.
COMPTON WYNYATES
In the very foremost rank among the large houses still remaining that
were built in Tudor times is the Warwickshire home of the Marquess of
Northampton. The walls are of brick, wide-jointed after the old custom,
with quoins, doorways, and window-frames of freestone, wrought into rich
and beautiful detail in the heads of the bays and the grand old doorway,
whose upper ornament is a large panel bearing the sculptured arms of
King Henry VIII.
Formerly the house was entirely surrounded by a moat, which approached
it closely on all sides but one, where a small garden was inclosed. Now,
on the three sides next the building, grass lawns take its place. On all
sides but one, hilly ground rises almost immediately; in steep slopes
for the most part, beautifully wooded with grand elms.
To the north is the small garden still inclosed by the moat. Straight
along it is a broad grass walk with flower borders on both sides,
leading to a thatched summer-house that looks out upon the moat. Lesser
paths lead across and around among vegetables and old fruit-trees. At
one corner is a venerable Mulberry.
The space within the quadrangle of the building is turfed and has
cross-paths paved with stone flags. Bushes of hardy Fuchsia mark their
outer angles of intersection. At the foot of the walls hardy Ferns are
in luxuriance, and nothing could better suit the place. There are a few
climbing Roses, but they are not overdone; the beautiful building is
sufficiently graced, but not smothered, by vegetation. So it is
throughout the place both within and without; house and garden show a
loving
[Illustration: COMPTON WYNYATES
FROM THE PICTURE IN THE POSSESSION OF
MR. GEORGE S. ELGOOD]
reverence for the grand old heritage and that sound taste and knowledge
that create and maintain well and wisely.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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