28 



THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



CHOU 

 TUN-I— 



Chinese 

 Writer 

 (1017-1073). 



I^OVERS of flowering plants and shrubs we have had by 

 scores, but T'ao Yiian-ming alone devoted himself to the 

 chrysanthemum. 



Since the opening days of the T'ang dynasty, it has been 

 ashionable to admire the peony; but my favourite is the water- 

 hly. How stamless it rises from its sHmy bed ! How modestly 

 It reposes on the clear pool— an emblem of purity and truth t 

 Symmetrically perfect, its subtle perfume is wafted far and 

 wide; while there it rests in spotless state, something to be 

 regarded reverently from a distance, and not to be profaned 

 by familiar approach. 



In my opinion, the chrysanthemum is the flower of retirement 

 and culture; the peony, the flower of rank and wealth: the 

 water-hly, the Lady Virtue sans pareille. 



Alas ! it^v have loved the chrysanthemum since T'ao Yiian- 

 ming; and none like the water-lily like myself; whereas the peony 

 IS a general favourite with all mankind. —Herbert A. Giles ' Gems 

 of Chinese Literature.'' ' 



-~''AA/V- — 



LIEN- 

 TSCHEN. 



"pHE art of laying out gardens consists in an endeavour to 

 combine cheerfulness of aspect, luxuriance of growth, shade 

 solitude and repose, in such a manner that the senses may be 

 deluded by an imitation of rural nature. Diversity, which is the 

 mam advantage of free landscape, must, therefore, be sought in a 

 judicious choice of soil, an alternation of chains of hills and 

 valleys, gorges, brooks, and lakes covered with aquatic plants 

 Symmetry is wearying, and ennui and disgust will soon be excited 

 m a garden where every part betrays constraint and ^vt-Quoted 

 oy A. von Humboldt. 



—M/\/W- 



MitME^LuRYr f"""™'^ ^^^'^^ represents a very Paradise, for that in 



(1095-1143). pleasure and deliglit it resembles Heaven itself These 



marshes abound in trees, whose length without a knot doth 



