68 THE PLEASURE, OR [!A. 



It is generally formed with hedges, commonly in double rows, 

 leading in various intricate turnings, backward and forward, with in- 

 tervening plantations, and gravel-walks alternately between hedge 

 and hedge ; the great aim is to have the walk contrived in so many 

 mazy, intricate windings, to and fro, that a person may have much 

 difficulty in finding out the centre, by meeting with as many stops 

 and disappointments as possible ; for he must not cross, or break 

 through the hedges ; so that in a well contrived labyrinth, a strang- 

 er will often entirely loose himself, so as not to find his way to the 

 centre, nor out again. 



As to plans of them, it is impossible to describe such, by 

 words, any further than the above hints, and their contrivance must 

 principally depend, on the ingenuity of the designer. 



But as to the hedges, walks, and trees ; the hedges are usually 

 made of hornbeam, beech, elm, or any other kind that can be kept 

 neat by clipping. The walks should be five feet wide at least, laid 

 with gravel, neatly rolled, and kept clean ; and the trees and shrubs 

 to form a thicket of wood between the hedges, may be of any hardy 

 kinds of the deciduous tribe, interspersed with some ever-greens ; 

 and in the middle of the labyrinth should be a spacious open, orna- 

 mented with some rural seats and shady bowers, Sec. 



Sometimes small labyrinths are formed with box-edgings, and 

 borders for plants, with handsome narrow walks between, in imita- 

 tion of the larger ones ; which have a very pleasing and amusing 

 effect in small gardens. 



Detached trained figures of ever-greens, as yew, cypress, juniper, 

 holly, box, and various other close-growing ever-green plants, were 

 also very predominant in ancient designs, and genarally disposed 

 in regular ranges along the borders and other verges of grand 

 walks ; being trained by clipping into various formal shapes, as 

 pyramids, obelisks, columns, &c. in a variety of forms, with other 

 formal figures, all placed in the most exact arrangement. Some 

 also were often placed singly in the midst of some circle, octagon, 

 or other open space, and were all kept hi order by clipping; once or 

 twice every summer, and were considered as great ornaments. 



Straight rows of the most beautiful trees, forming long avenues 

 and grand walks, were in great estimation, considered as great or- 

 naments, and no considerable estate and eminent pleasure-ground 

 were without several of them. 



Regular grass slopes, also, greatly prevailed in most old gardens, 

 as ornaments to particular divisions ; sometimes such were formed 

 at the beginning of some rising ground, and sometimes at the ter- 

 mination or lower part ; frequently canals, and other pieces of wa- 

 ter, were bounded by a range of them, and likewise, the sides of 

 terraces and other elevated places. Moderate grass-slopes, also, 

 often formed a boundary to some open spaces, such as bowling- 

 greens, flower-garden, &c. forming a sort of terrace all around, 

 and frequently having a gravel-walk at top ; these slopes were 

 always formed with the greatest regularity and exactness, which in 

 some situations were very ornamental. 



