EARLY HISTORY 7 



trees closely clipped is apparent. From the mere clipping 

 of these subjects so as to keep them in harmony with the 

 architecture, to the cutting of evergreens into fantastic 

 shapes, is not a very wide transition, but whether the 

 latter style was first adopted by the Grecian or the 

 Roman gardeners does not appear. 



We do know, however, that the Romans practised 

 Topiary freely and that they were also fine architects 

 and builders. Even in the formation of sheltering 

 groves of forest trees to provide welcome shade from 

 the bright sunshine, the Romans adopted the formal 

 quincunx method of disposing the trees. How much 

 more, then, would they have been ready in that age of 

 undeveloped taste in the design and planting of gardens 

 to welcome a method of training and culture that enabled 

 them not only to bring the garden up to the mansion 

 without any resultant loss of architectural effect, but 

 also permitted them to carry architecture into the garden 

 and apply it in a more or less fantastic manner to the 

 trees themselves. 



On the authority of Martial we learn that the art of 

 Topiary was first introduced to the Romans by Cneus 

 Matius. Matius was the friend of Julius Caesar and 

 a particular favourite of Augustus, but whether he 

 originated or borrowed the idea we know not. As 

 a court favourite, however, he must have had ample 

 opportunity for propagating this particular method 

 of gardening, and doubtless then, as now, a fashion 

 set at court was quickly followed by all who wished 

 to be up-to-date. Good or bad, the taste spread, and 

 even such a man of taste and letters as Pliny the 

 Roman Consul considered it quite the proper thing 

 to use Topiary work extensively in his famous Tuscan 

 Villa. In a letter written by Pliny the Younger to his 

 friend Apollinaris (Ep. v. 6) is a fine description of 

 this garden. Melmoth's translation pictures the front 



