FRENCH FASHIONS 



207 

 Spouts of 



statuary. 



by numerous and various water-works, 

 water took the place of footlights and fell from dozens 

 of fountains or rose from others. While music 

 sounded, twelve different combinations of water, form- 

 ing aigrettes, lances, chandeliers, etc., played upon the 

 stage. The " Salle de Bal " was an elliptical "bosquet," 

 enclosing an arena surrounded by several rows of 

 seats. In the centre of the arena the dancers assembled, 

 and sometimes the king himself took part in the ballet. 



The statuary was mostly inspired from the antique, The 

 if not an exact copy of some well- 

 known work of art, such as the 

 Venus of Medici or the Venus of 

 Richelieu. It was profusely scattered 

 throughout the gardens and park, to 

 terminate a perspective, embellish a 

 fountain, or adorn the centre of a 

 parterre. 



More originality was shown in the vases of marble, 

 bronze, or lead. They were also of classic design, but 

 more modern in sentiment. Blondel edited a book 

 called " Profils et ornements de vases, executez en 

 marbre, bronze et plombs dans les Jardins de Ver- 

 sailles, Trianon, et Marly." The urn shown in the illus- 

 tration is French in character. 



The French style exerted a marked influence in French in- 

 England. On account of its expense, however, it England. 



