NOTES. 85 



"Noah's Ark in Holly, the ribs a little damaged for 

 want of water. 



" The Tower of Babel, not yet finished. 



" St. George in Box, his arm scarce long enough, but 

 will be in a condition to stick the Dragon by next April. 



" A green Dragon of the same, with a tail of ground- 

 ivy for the present. N.B. These two not to be sold 

 separately. 



" Edward the Black Prince in Cypress. 



" A Laurustine Bear in blossom, with a Juniper 

 Hunter in berrie. 



" A pair of Giants stunted ; to be sold cheap." 

 And there are various other lots equally remarkable 

 and interesting. 



But the topiarian art has never been either scolded or 

 laughed entirely out of existence, and we all remember 

 how many years later when Lovel first visits " The Anti- 

 quary " he found the house of Monkbarns " surrounded 

 by tall clipped hedges of yew and holly, some of which 

 still exhibited the skill of the topiarian artist, and 

 presented curious arm-chairs, towers, and the figures of 

 St. George and the Dragon. The taste of Mr. Oldbuck 

 did not disturb these monuments of an art now 

 unknown, and he was the less tempted so to do, as 

 it must necessarily have broken the heart of his old 

 gardener." 



