Behind, as we continued to skirt the park
wall, I began to make out a straggling town of offices
which became conjoined to the rear with those of the
home farm. On the left was an ornamental water sailed
in by many swans. On the right extended a flower
garden, laid in the old manner, and at this season of
the year as brilliant as stained glass. The front of
the house presented a facade of more than sixty
windows, surmounted by a formal pediment and raised
upon a terrace. A wide avenue, part in gravel, part in
turf, and bordered by triple alleys, ran to the great
double gateways. It was impossible to look without
surprise on a place that had been prepared through so
many generations, had cost so many tons of minted gold,
and was maintained in order by so great a company of
emulous servants. And yet of these there was no sign
but the perfection of their work. The whole domain was
drawn to the line and weeded like the front plot of
some suburban amateur; and I looked in vain for any
belated gardener, and listened in vain for any sounds
of labour.
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