the most splendid and perfect style! Pictures, mirrors, carved wood, porcelain, and curious tables; chairs, and ottomans, inlaid and overlaid with gold; and in such abundance, that we felt almost dazzled by gazing at them, and were glad to turn to the windows, and look out upon the woods and waters, to restore and refresh our bewildered thoughts.

In what is called the State-room, or Royal apartment, looking out upon the gardens and fountains, are two large arm chairs, nearly covered with gold, in which King William and Queen Adelaide sat when on a visit to the Duke.

One of the rooms is fitted up as a chapel, and this is a gem of art. We dare venture to affirm that the expense of fitting up this place would have erected a neat little chapel in every village in Derbyshire. The floor, the ceiling, the walls, the pulpit, the Duke's pew, and especially what they call the altar-a table of green marble, brought, we were told, from Russia -must have cost an immense sum.

Descending the grand staircase, we were arrested by two full length portraits. At first sight I took that of the man to be Leopold, the king of the Belgians, and yet it was a stouter figure than his. The attendant explained that they were of the Emperor and Empress of Russia. That was enough; for,

having but little liking for the originals, and not wishing to form any particular acquaintance with their majesties, we passed down.

The Statuary Room contained some fine specimens of art, but some of them ought not to be exhibited to the public in the state we saw them. One, of the mother of Napoleon, by Conova, we could not but admire; she is represented sitting with easy grace and dignity. An immense vase occupies the

centre of the room.

We passed through the Orangery, which is attached to the north front of the building, and is filled with trees bearing oranges, lemons, figs, and other foreign fruits.

Now we were out in the gardens. And really it seemed a relief to turn off one's eyes from paintings, and tapestry, and gold, and precious stones, to look on the green grass and lovely flowers.

Conducted now by a new set of guides, and yet in companies, we were led over the most perfect walks we ever beheld. The gravel was white, and, as the sun shone on it, sparkled brilliantly; fit for majesty to walk over, and, one might almost fancy, for angels' feet to tread.

We ascended, as we went along, sometimes up steps, winding our way by flower beds of exquisite

beauty, every plant in which seemed as if it had been tended with the greatest care in order to bring out its riches in perfection.

Leaving the beds of flowers, which were laid out in every variety of form, we entered the walks, which led us among the rocks and trees; sometimes ascending and sometimes descending, we wound our way along, delighted with our romantic promenade, from an opening at the end of which we had before us the immense conservatory covered with glass. This is one of the great wonders of Chatsworth, if not the greatest. It is said to be 360 feet long, 200 wide, and 100 high-entirely covered with glass. One of our first thoughts was, "what destruction, if a hail storm!" But the panes are so set that the hail strikes obliquely, or sideways, and so does not break them. This immense place is warmed by hot water in pipes. The coal for the fires is brought under ground by a tunnel, by which all manure or refuse is also brought in or carried away, and the smoke is carried off by another subterraneous passage: so that all appears neat and clean.

Here were trees, from foreign countries, of all kinds. And when I have said that, I have said all I can. Their names would more than fill this page, and as for describing them, it is out of my power.

Except I just say that there were flowers, such as we had never seen or imagined, for form or beauty; and the flag leaves of some of the water plants were immense, filling us with wonder; and the fruit on some of the trees was such as we had heard of, but had never seen growing before; and I am sure if my young readers had been there, they would hardly have been content with seeing them, they would have longed to touch and taste!

To

I think it was before we entered the conservatory, that, whilst winding our way among the rocks and trees, we came to a spot which has long obtained celebrity among the wonders of Chatsworth. our left was a small opening on the side of the hill, and there, surrounded by low rocks, stood a tree with dark crimson leaves. A number of young people had turned aside to look at it. I had heard of something which caused me to stay where I was on the walk, and, watching the movements of our guide, I saw him turn round to a rock on the opposite side of the road, where he turned a tap, and this crimson-leaved tree then poured down a regular shower upon all within its reach, causing the young folks to scamper off as fast as they could run, laughing at each other and much amused by the trick which had been played them. The tree is of iron, per

forated with holes, which are fed with water from a reservoir above.

Another amusing affair is a huge rock turnstile. An immense piece of rock has been so fixed on a pivot, that it can be swung round so as to fill up a narrow passage between two rocks. There is a sudden turn in the walk, before you arrive at it; and young men, who are aware of this, usually contrive to leave their female companions before they arrive at it, and swinging the rock round so as to block up the passage, demand a certain toll before they are allowed to pass. But we sober old folks could only bestow a smile on the amusement and pass on.

We were now conducted to the banks of the large pools of water, facing the principal front of the house. In the centre of that nearest the house were several stone figures, which send forth volumes of water, but the taps were not turned for these, and so they did not play. In the centre of the next, a much larger pool in which were multitudes of fish, was a fountain, the taps of which were turned, and the water rose from it directly upward in one straight column. Higher, and higher, and higher it rose, until the hundreds of spectators shouted for admiration and joy. The sun was shining gloriously at the time, and as the great