Sir TOlttam {Temple 91 



terraces raised with earth, over the arched 

 roofs, and even upon the top of the highest 

 tower, planted them with all sorts of fruit- 

 trees, as well as other plants and flowers, the 

 most pleasant of that country ; and thereby 

 made at least the most airy gardens, as well as 

 the most costly that have ever been heard of in 

 the world. This lady may probably have been 

 a native of the provinces of Chasimer or Damas- 

 cus, which have in all times been the happiest 

 regions for fruits of all the east, by the excel- 

 lence of soil, the position of mountains, the 

 frequency of streams, rather than the advan- 

 tages of climate. And it is great pity we do 

 not yet see the history of Chasimer, which 

 Monsieur Bernier assured me he had translated 

 out of Persian, and intended to publish, and 

 of which he has given such a taste, in his ex- 

 cellent memoirs of the Mogul's country. 



The next gardens we read of are those of 

 Solomon, planted with all sorts of fruit-trees, 

 and watered with fountains ; and though we 

 have no more particular description of them, 

 yet we may find they were the places where he 

 passed the times of his leisure and delight, 

 where the houses as well as grounds were 

 adorned with all that could be of pleasing and 

 elegant, and were the retreats and entertain- 

 ments of those among his wives that he loved 



