“Mr. Beaumont begun to worke in the Garden this day sevennight, and is Levelling and Makeing the walke behind the New building, and Carrying a Nother walke by the end of the house of Office throws out the Good earth, and fills the walke with the Rubbish, and is diging a Boarder all alonge the Highway wall for planting in. The trees are all comed verry safe and well.”

(November 12th 94, L90, p. 119)

“I have litle to write onely to tell yow Mr. Beamont hath planted all the trees this day and has planted some part of the Long Wall; but hath them in the Ground, and will plant the rest of the wall ass fast as the Ground is made Fitt…“

(10ber 15th 1694, L97, p. 129)

Hugh James was keeping accounts at Levens and managing estate affairs in the newly-purchased Levens. His accounts give an interesting insight into the first steps of making the Levens Garden and park. As well as into the past and its different way of living, including the social inequality between a master and his servants.

This book can only be purchased through an antiquarian bookshop.