The house stands nearly in the middle point of that side of the lawn, which is the farthest from the Thames, and communicates with Isleworth and Brentford, either by means of the lawn or a fine gravel walk, which in some places runs along the side, and in others through the middle of a beautiful shrubbery; so that even in the most retired parts of this charming maze, where the prospect is most confined, almost the whole vegetable world rises up as it were in miniature around you, and presents you with every foreign shrub, plant, and flower, which can be adopted by the soil of this climate. His Lordship has not only thus improved the ground where the old gardens stood, but has also made a very large addition to it, and separated the two parts by making a new serpentine river. It communicates with the Thames, is well stored with all sorts of river fish, and can be emptied and filled by means of a sluice, which is so contrived as to admit the fish into the new river, but to prevent their returning back again into the Thames. His Lordship has also built two bridges, which form a communication between the two gardens, and has erected in that, which lies near Brentford, a stately doric column; upon the top of which is a fine proportioned statue of Flora, so judiciously placed as to command as it were a distinct view of the situation over which she is supposed to preside.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _E. Rooker sculp._ _Sion House, view’d from opposite Isleworth Church._]
The kitchen gardens are very large, lie at a very proper distance from the house, and contain every thing, as an hot-house, fire-walls, &c. The greenhouse is a very neat building with a gothic front, designed by his Lordship in so light a style as to be greatly admired. The back and end walls of it are the only remains of the old monastery. This building stands near a circular bason of water, well stored with gold and silver fish; and in the middle of the bason is a spouting fountain, which is well supplied and plays without intermission.
What has hitherto been said is only an imperfect account of the several steps pursued in the planning and finishing of the gardens; to which we must add, that his lordship has also made many considerable alterations in the apartments of the east-front over the long gallery, and, as we are informed, intends to make many more in the other parts of the house, as he has lately done in the approach to it.