[HE royal gardens are an interesting study 

 on account of the great height of the 

 hedge growth. Judging from an old print 

 of the plan of this garden, it was originally laid 

 out in a very open manner as an enormous "par- 

 terre." There is but one level throughout the planta- 

 tion, and this was cut up into large squares surround- 

 ed by low hedges enclosing flowers. The fountains 

 and statuary were very frequent, and at the sides the 

 walks were shaded by ilex-trees. The great height of 

 the hedges which once marked the borders of the beds 

 have now turned these enclosures into most charming 

 apartments, the passages from one to another being 

 arches cut through the dense growth. In some places 

 the hedges of laurel, box, and ilex reach a height of 

 thirty feet, and as a growth in itself is remarkable? 

 but when one finds it formed into courts connected by 

 long alleys, and with the doorways and arches appar- 

 ently carved in the dense green, the effect is quite 



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