THE ELIZABETHAN FLOWER-GARDEN 157 



all the other Beauties." Ducks and swans as well as 

 fish were often admitted to the water. In a plan 

 showing the lay-out of the ground surrounding Hol- 

 denby House in Northamptonshire, 

 as it existed in 1587, there are seven 

 ponds varying in size, but all oblong. 

 Quaint conceits were devised for 

 ornaments. Sir Hugh Platt sug- 

 gests procuring flower-pots twice the 

 usual size, perforated with holes an 

 inch apart and an inch in circum- 

 ference. A lily or a carnation was 

 planted in the middle of the pot, 

 and in the holes thyme or hyssop kept evenly clipped. 

 " Set these pots upon faire pillars in your garden 

 to make a beautiful shew." The design of flower- 

 pots was often elaborate. Pyramids, 

 lozenges, circles, pentagons, or any form 

 of beast or fowl, in wood, stone, or 

 burnt clay, with similar holes planted 

 with rosemary or another herb, formed 

 an attractive feature. Other ornaments 

 were gilded wooden images and round balls of coloured 

 glass to catch the sunlight, and sun-dials. Statuary 

 was considered by Bacon an innovation adding to 

 the state and magnificence, but nothing to the true 

 pleasure of a garden. 



Ornaments. 



