LAY-OUT OF STATELY GARDENS 281 



The Garden-House 



The garden-house was very important in Shake- 

 speare's time. It was often a substantial edifice, 

 built of brick or stone, placed at the corner of a 

 boundary, or dividing wall, so as to afford a view 

 of more than one part of the garden. Sometimes 

 two buildings were constructed, one at each corner, 

 as at Montacute. Another favorite position was 

 at the end of a long walk ending in a vista; and 

 another was overlooking the bowling-alley, from 

 which visitors could watch the game. The garden- 

 house was often fitted with handsome woodwork 

 and even a fireplace. An outside staircase some- 

 times led to the roof. 



The summer-house arbor was also often made of 

 wooden lattice-work and covered with vines. Some- 

 times it was hollowed out of the clipped hedge, or 

 out of a large tree properly shaped by the toparian 

 artist. The gazebo, built at the corner of a wall 

 overlooking the garden within and the road with- 

 out, was also a popular kind of summer-house. The 

 origin of the name is still obscure. Some people say 

 it comes from the same root as to gaze, and refers 



