The Park in Muskau 145 



roses leans against the tower under the upper bal- 

 cony. From this one has a view of the lake in a 

 new direction and in its greatest length, where 

 two bridges and a waterfall serve as an excellent 

 point de vue. From this point the walk continues 

 through the shrubbery for a time, after which 

 one comes to an ornamental plot with the letter 

 " S," an aviary, farther a flower parterre, imitat- 

 ing a bundle of colossal peacocks' feathers, then 

 a flow^er stand with hothouse plants, till the tun- 

 nel mentioned above (^) is reached. A fountain 

 here makes a spot which is always cool and re- 

 freshing in hot summer days, peaceful and soli- 

 tary, where one may, as the saying goes, give 

 audience to one's thoughts, or, in more prosaic 

 phrase, enjoy a siesta, to which a soft couch of 

 moss and never broken twilight invite one. 



I may be allowed to make a digression here 

 and take the opportunity to lay down some rules 

 for flower plantations and the like. 



I have unfortunately to contend with an un- 

 favorable climate in the Neisse Valley, and can 

 only rely on half-hardy shrubs with the help of 

 careful covering to prevent freezing, such as some 

 , of the cytisus, calicanthus, cercis, amygdalus, 

 ' hibiscus, hydrangea, rhododendron, comptonia, 

 etc., while the still more delicate ones, like liq- 

 uidamber, magnolia, azalea, etc., and even the 

 Primus lusitanica^ so hardy in England, Pyrus 

 japonica, arbutus, viburnum, ilex varieties and 

 some of the andromedas, etc., must be protected 

 every winter in portable houses. I therefore give 



