CONTINENTAL LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 41 



their number and their scale of grandeur can be but partially 

 grasped from the photographs now extant. Their extent, refine- 

 ment of design, and harmonious details can only be fully appreciated 

 by personal contact. To stand on the main terrace above the great 

 orangery and view in the distance the equestrian statue of King 

 Louis located at the end of the Swiss lake; to look again along the 

 main alley over the fountains of Latona and of Apollo towards the 

 grand canal; or perhaps over the series of pools to the fountain of 

 Neptune which is the crowning triumph of the gardens, at once fills 

 the student's mind with an indescribable admiration for the master 

 genius who conceived and carried to its realization this beautiful 

 conception of art. On either side of this main axis terminated at 

 either extreme by the main terrace and the grand canal, and among 

 the heavy growth of beech and bass wood are numerous small paths 

 or alleys lined on either side with hedges of European beech. 

 These alleys radiating in various directions focus at different 

 intervals upon the many interesting fountains located at their 

 intersections, and in turn upon the great Mirror lake, and the 

 Colonnade which is a large circular area surrounded by a series of 

 marble columns supporting arches under each of which is a marble 

 basin. In the center of this great circle is a well-designed group of 

 marble statuary known as the Rape of Proserpine. Beyond the 

 Mirror lake the visitor comes upon the King's small English park, 

 and here in the midst of extreme formality is a pleasing bit of 

 naturalistic gardening. 



Leaving the great gardens of Versailles and approaching the 

 Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon there looms up before the 

 visitor two other parks adjoining this main park of Versailles. 

 These parks, though not as elaborate in their detail, are equally 

 as interesting. In the extreme corner of the Petit Trianon gardens 

 is the little English Hamlet and its unique bit of English gardening, 

 all of which was carried out in accordance with the wishes of that 

 unfortunate Queen Marie Antoinette, to have something restful 

 and natural, savoring with the spirit of the English landscapes. 



Versailles is the great garden which is typical of the French art 

 and the main characteristics may be summarized as follows: 



1. Distinct formality with large areas devoted to Parterre work, 

 all of which is closely clipped and edged to a nicety. 



