FRENCH FASHIONS 217 



View of the Garden, or of the great Part of it, which 

 yields a most agreeable Prospect. 



"A Parterre is the first thing that should present The 



parterre. 



itself to Sight, and possess the Ground next the Fab- 

 rick, whether in Front or on the Sides; as well on 

 account of the opening it affords the Building as for 

 the Beauty and Richness where it constantly entertains 

 the Eye, when seen from every Window of the House. 

 The Sides of a Parterre should be furnished with such 

 Works as may improve and set it off ; for this being 

 low and flat, necessarily requires something raised as 

 Groves and Hedges. But herein, Regard should be 

 had to the Situation of the Place ; and it should be ob- 

 served, before you plant, whether the Prospect that way 

 be agreeable; for then the sides of the Parterre should 

 be kept entirely open, making use of Quarters of 

 Grass, and other flat Works to make the best of the 

 View, and taking care not to shut it up with Groves, 

 unless they be planted in Quincunce, or in open lines, 

 with low Hedges, which hinder not the Eye from 

 looking between the trees, and discovering the Beauties 

 of the Prospect on every side. 



" If there be no Prospect, but, on the contrary, you Edging of 



parterre. 



have a Mountain, Hill, Forest, or Wood, that by their 

 Vicinity deprive you of that Pleasure, or some Village 

 too near adjoining, the Houses of which make no agree- 

 able Sight; you may then edge the Parterre with 



