flower vases. Tubs of Agapanthus stand on the projections by the side of
the piers that flank the small fountain basin, whose overflow falls into
the pool.
All this portion of the garden has a background of yew hedges inclosing
large trees. From this pool the ground rises to another; also of
rectangular form, but with an arm to the right, in the line of the cross
axis, forming a T-shape. Between the two, on a path always rising by
occasional flights of steps, is a summer-house. The path swings round it
in a circle. To right and left are flower-beds and roses; outside these,
also on a curved line, are ranged a series of gracefully sculptured
_amorini_, bearing aloft vases of flowers.
The path soon reaches the upper pool, again passing all round it. At the
point furthest to the right, at the end of the projecting arm, and
looking along the cross axis to where, beyond the pool, the ground again
rises, is a handsome wall fountain, with steps to right and left,
inclosed by panelled walls. All this garden of pool and fountain, easy
way of step and gravel, and ornament of flower and sculpture, is bounded
by the massive walls of yew, and all beyond is sheltering quietude of
ancient trees. From several points around the highest pool, as well as
from the rising lawns to right and left of the theatre, straight
grass-edged paths, bordered by clipped hornbeam, lead through the
heavily wooded ground. From distant points the main walks converge; and
here, in a circular green-walled court, stands a tall pedestal bearing a
handsome stone vase. The prospects down the alleys are variously ended;
some by pillared temples set in green niches, some by the open
park-landscape; some by further depths of woodland. It is all easy and
gracious, but full of dignity--courtly--palatial; bringing to mind the
stately bearing and refined courtesy of manner of our ancestors of two
centuries ago. It is good to know that some of these gardens and
disciplined woodlands still exist in our own land and in France; these
quiet _bosquets de verdure_ of those far-away days. Though the scale on
which they were planned is only suitable for the largest houses and for
wealthy owners who can command lavish employment of labour, yet we
cannot but admire the genius of those garden artists of France who
designed so boldly and yet so gracefully, and who have left us such
admirable records of their abounding ability.