has already repaid me for the pains which I have taken in its cultivation; and when I resort to my usual evening stand, in order to watch the flocks of sparrows, finches, and starlings, whilst they are dropping in upon the neighbouring hollies, I feel not the wintry blast, as the yew-trees, which are close at hand, are to me a shield against its fury; and in fact, they offer me a protection little inferior to that of the house itself."

There is a magnificent crescent-shaped yew-hedge, which partly surrounds the stables, and shuts them out from sight so effectually, that no one could suspect their presence unless informed of it. Another yew-hedge forms a sort of wall behind the Ivy Tower, and aids in keeping it quiet for the many birds which breed in it.

I have given the land view of the gateway (sometimes called the "Ivy Tower" in the Essays) because it shows how admirably Waterton adapted existing objects to his chief pursuit at Walton Hall, namely, the cherishing of birds and study of their habits.

The view is taken from the southern window of the guest-chamber, and is one of the first objects that meets the visitor's eyes on rising in the morning.

One portion of this illustration requires notice. Just above the yew-hedge may be seen a curious - looking circular tower; with a conical roof. This was built expressly for the use of starlings, and is appropriately named the Starling Tower. Many starlings found a home in the Ivy Tower, but wishing to accommodate these birds still further, Waterton built this tower for them, and a very interesting structure it is, uniting several advantages.

In the first place, it is raised upon a smooth stone pillar, on which rests a large circular, flattened stone, considerably larger than the pillar. The object of this arrangement is to keep out rats, the worst foes of the

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starling. Even the most active and sharpest-clawed rat could hardly climb up the pillar, and if it did, would be stopped by the flat stone. In fact, this pillar and stone are similar in design to the "staddles " on which wheat-stacks ought to be built, if farmers wish to preserve their grain. Cats are also foes to the starling, but the flat stone is too high for most cats to reach by jumping, and if

they tried to do so, the upper surface of the stone is made with a slope, and is so smooth, that the claws could not retain their hold.

The tower is circular, and is built in regular layers of stones. Each alternate stone is loose, and when pulled out, discloses a chamber behind, to which the bird obtains access by means of a channel cut in the corner of the stone. The birds took possession of the tower at once,

as well they might, and it is very interesting to remove the stones and see the birds sitting on their eggs without being in the least alarmed at the intrusion. In consequence of the protection which they enjoy, the starlings are to be found in great numbers around the house, and will assemble on the lawn in front of the sitting-room windows, where they feed without fear, notwithstanding

that they may be within a few yards of the window from which they are being watched. A second tower was afterwards built and placed in another portion of the grounds.

THE reader may remember that Waterton drained some fish-ponds and planted them with trees, which grew with great rapidity. By means of the ever-useful yew, various sheltering-places were made in it, and there was a little single-roomed cottage where Waterton could sit by a fire

in cold weather, and yet be able to watch the birds, for whose benefit the door was always left open. This cottage is not shown in the illustration, but on the right hand is seen a heap of rough stones. These were piled up for the benefit of the weasel, which loves such localities, and is tolerably sure to take possession of them.

The whole of this corner of the park goes by the general name of the "Grotto," on account of a cave which forms part of it. In this beautiful place Waterton used to allow parties to congregate, on the understanding that they would do no injury, and, for their benefit, he had erected swings, &c., among the trees. For this reason, the place was often called the "Picnic," and this name was used indifferently with that of Grotto.

"The Squire,” as he was invariably called, was, after his usual fashion, too trustful when he thought that he was doing a kindness to others. During his later years, the privilege became shamefully abused, and when, after his death, a party of picnic-makers set fire to the magnificent yew hedge enclosing the stables, and destroyed a considerable portion of it, his son took the opportunity of prohibiting picnics for the future.

By the way, Waterton was scarcely ever mentioned by name, and just as the Duke of Wellington was known as "the Duke," so was Waterton known far and wide as "the Squire." Even his nearest relatives invariably addressed him as "Squire," and it would be perfectly possible for a visitor to be at Walton Hall for a week and never hear the name of Waterton.

TO EXHAUST all the objects of interest within the park wall would require a large volume, and space is valuable. There are one or two, however, which ought not to be passed over without notice, and one of them is figured in the illustration on page 70.

In former days there had been a water-mill, but time, which, as Waterton quaintly says, is "the great annihilator of all human inventions saving taxation and the national debt," destroyed the mill, and nothing of it is left except a single millstone, measuring between five and six feet in diameter. "The ground where the mill stood having been. converted into meadow, this stone lay there unnoticed and unknown (save by the passing haymaker), from the period of the mill's dissolution to the autumn of the year 1813, when one of our nut-eating wild animals, probably by way of winter store, deposited a few nuts under its protecting cover.

"In the course of the following summer, a single nut,