250 SOME FAMOUS GARDENS 



wonderful prosperity, and took a pride in decorat- 

 ing it, as if it had been a favourite mistress. The 

 hills were clothed with orchards and vineyards, the 

 valleys embroidered with gardens, and the wide 

 plains covered with waving grain. Here were seen 

 in profusion the orange, the citron, the fig, the 

 pomegranate, with great plantations of mulberry 

 trees, from which was produced the finest silk. 

 The vine clambered from tree to tree ; the grapes 

 hung in rich clusters about the peasant's cottage, 

 and the groves were rejoiced by the perpetual song 

 of the nightingale In a word, so beautiful was the 

 earth, so pure the air, and so serene the sky of this 

 delicious region, that the Moors imagined the para- 

 dise of their prophet to be situated in that part of 

 heaven which overhung the kingdom of Granada. 



WASHINGTON IRVING. 



THE GARDEN OF MARIOS 



(From " The Whde Art of Husbandry ") 



EPICURE is reported to be the first that euer deuised 

 gardens in Athens, before his time it was not scene, 

 that the pleasures of the countrie were had in the 

 citie. Now when Thrasybulus trauailing in the 

 affayres of his prince, chaunced to come to the 

 house of Marius, and carried by him into a garden 

 that he had, which was very beautifull, being led 

 about among the sweet smelling flowres, and under 

 the pleasant arbours, what a goodly sight (quoth 

 Thrasybulus) is heere. How excellently haue you 

 garnished this Paradise of yours with all kinds of 



