CLASSIC PLEASURE GROUNDS 39 



coping rising a few inches above the surface. A marble 



table or statue was often placed in connection with 



this fountain. Many garden courts were 



also ornamented with brightly coloured 



niches covered with mosaic and shell- 

 work sheltering a spout of water or a 



miniature chateau d'eau and decorated 



with statues. Masks serving as lamps 



were placed on each side of one of 



these niches. At night flames bursting 



through the eyes and mouth must have produced a 



weird effect. 



Fantastically clipped evergreen trees and shrubs were 



the principal " vegetate ornament " of the garden. 



This kind of sculpture is said to have been invented by 

 Matius, a friend of the Emperor Augus- 

 tus. The chief gardener was known as 

 the topiarius, and it was his none too Topiary 

 easy task to see that the evergreens were work ' 

 artistically shorn. Under his supervision 

 pyramids, cones, wild animals, hunting 

 scenes, and even a whole fleet of ships 

 might be shaped by skilful shears. Of 

 shrubs there were fewer species then, but 

 the variety in form given by the topi- 

 ary's art made up for any deficiency 



in their natural diversity. An illustration from trie 



