LITTLE GARDENS 



reminder of the monastic gardens of California 

 and Mexico, and is possible where it is still the 

 custom to draw water from a well, or where the 

 water rises close to the ground level in a spring. 

 If a well, it requires a high curb, lest the fre- 

 quenters fall in; but if a basin, then a low curb, 

 or no curb, w^ould be permitted. I have seen 

 such an arrangement, with the surrounding walk 

 bordered with box, a safeguard that prevented 

 the ramblers from stepping off upon the grass, 

 as it might otherwise have pleased them to do. 

 Naturally such borders seem disproportionately 

 large, and if they are suffered to attain to any 

 considerable height they shut off the view from 

 the walker in his own garden. Yet an alley of 

 shade offers a pleasant vista in itself, and will 

 have an air of cloistral seclusion that is pleasant 

 to quiet souls; for, as they take the air at evening 

 they will realize that they are not exhibiting be- 

 fore possible spectators. A pool or fountain not 

 being feasible, it preserves something of an old- 

 fashioned aspect for the place if the substitute 

 is made of a sun-dial, with a narrow rim of flow- 

 ers about the pedestal, or a small vine clamber- 

 ing up the standard. 



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