HAVERLAND PARK,

THE SEAT OF EDWARD FELLOWES, ESQ., M. P.

THE most of our readers are aware that a splendid mansion is now being built here, that the old hall is to be removed, and that the grounds are to be remodelled by a landscapegardener of some note in the present day-at least so far as this county is concerned. We shall anxiously watch the proceedings in this latter department of the work, because we are persuaded that few places are so susceptible of being turned to good account. We have gone carefully over this seat, and we have no hesitation in pronouncing it to be full of the elements of a grand rural retirement, and, if such a character is not given to it at its completion, it will be because its natural beauties and capabilities have been mismanaged.

The new building stands upon an eminence, and is of the Italian style of architecture. Towards the left, in the distance, is a magnificent lake of water, over which hangs the pendent spray of the birch-tree, willow, and alder, broken and varied by the bolder and more sombre masses of the pine. In front is a beautiful and ample lawn, studded with youthful oaks, and skirted by the more aged of that race. To the right, again, are some of the most wonderful vegetable structures we ever beheld they are elm-trees, (Ulmus montana glabra, Loudon), and look like green pavilions. Here also are oak-trees, of a size and beauty entitling them to be reckoned amongst the flower of England; with limes, beeches, chestnuts, and pines that have attained to their full maturity. In short, there is nothing wanting but original design to render this place one of the most eminent seats in Norfolk.

The finest tree upon this estate, is an alder (Alnus glutinosa), growing on the right-hand side of the road, upon

entering the village of Haverland. It stands in a damp favourable situation near to a rivulet, and soars to the height of sixty-two feet or thereabouts. The trunk at one foot from the ground is eleven feet seven inches in circumference. It is an upright well-proportioned tree, and is, perhaps, the finest specimen of the kind in England. The next largest recorded trees of this species, are in the Bishop of Durham's park at Bishop Auckland, one of which measures eleven feet in girth. An alder of such magnitude is a very singular object, the tree being generally cut down in its youth. Like the oak at Thorpe, it deserves some care and attention being paid to it by having a fence set around it, for we are afraid, from the rugged state of the ground where it stands, its great worth is not known, and that some trifling incident may one day lead to its removal.

At a residence already exhibiting the signs of unusual magnificence, we trust that a portion of the park will be set apart for that most interesting and indispensable accompaniment to every gentleman's seat-an Arboretum. By an arboretum, we mean a collection of all the trees that will stand the rigour of a British winter, arranged in natural groups a great congregation of the grand objects that adorn our country, whether in forests, fields, or cultivated gardens, brought together so that their beautiful and diversified characters may be seen and studied as if in a museum. The most of our extensive seats, formed within the last few years, have a portion of their pleasure-ground devoted to this important object, and our suggestions in this instance cannot surely be misplaced, especially as they refer to a place which raises our expectations so high. The mansion is already in existence. Its character, style, and size are before the public, and they are called magnificent. Our only anxiety is that there may be a suitableness of adjoining scenes to such grandeur, for be it remembered that every mansion forms, or ought to form, the central feature to all its accompaniments. See our remarks on this subject, under the head of Hillington, in a subsequent page.