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of Fniit in unusual seasons. As at prosent the Romans train- 

 ed Trees against their houses* 



Of the Pleasure Gardens of the Romans. 



Although we have a fuller accoxmt of the Roman Pleasure 

 Gardens than of the other departments of their grounds, yet even 

 of them it is a matter of considerable difficulty to f(trin a correct 

 idea from the descriptions which we possess, so much so, that if 

 ten persons were to delineate their conceptions of the ground plot, 

 scarcely two of them would produce plans Ix-aring much resem- 

 blance to each other. The following is ^11 that I have been able 

 to collect upon the subject. 



The Garden of Tarquin the Proud, within two centuries after 

 the building of the City, is the first of which we have mention. 

 It was within the Walls of the City, and was occupied by be<ls 

 ofRoses, Poppies, Lilies, odorous herbs, a stream of Water, &c.f 

 It is certain that these were arranged in mathematical order, and 

 without any attempt at foreign ornaments. In the time of Cato 

 the country Villas of the Ilomans were accompanied by grounds 

 compounded of fields and garden, cultivated for alimentary 

 purposes, whose surplus produce, after the family of the Pro- 

 prietor were supplied, was probably sold in the Fora Holi- 

 torum of the City. Aa the people became more refined, the Villa, 

 or Country Residence of the Proprietor, was built entirely 

 separate from his farming establishment ; and often was con- 

 structed in a different part of the country. From habitations 

 barely affording the conveniences of life, they became replete 

 with luxuries. The beds of herbs and roots were exchanged 

 in the neighbourhood of the Villa, for statuarized Walks and 

 beds of flowers, and every device that pleasure could desire, 

 fashioned according to the reigning taste. Thus in the infant 

 days of Rome, Varro defines a Villa, as being a farm house and 



• lloraco, Ep. i.lO. 32. Tibulhie. iii.3. 35. f Livy. i. 54. Ovid. Fii-.t. 

 ii. 70-1. anil Diony in. Halirarnas u . 



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