A TALK ON GARDENS. 105 



seldom carried iuto the garden, which was treated as a manifest 

 work of art, and it was from this point of view that it was 

 regarded. The garden was laid out with straight lines, and 

 basins of water interspersed with masterpieces of sculpture. A 

 flower garden placed near the terraces generally contained a 

 fountain in the centre. The walks were bordered with box and 

 the trees trimmed and sheared into the forms of birds and animals 

 and other most fantastic shapes as well. Alcoves and summer 

 houses offered places for repose. For planting, the plane tree 

 was much used for shade, while the ivy, acanthus, myrtle, 

 narcissus, and roses were generally found in the more ornamental 

 parts. The myrtle and the bay were held in high esteem for their 

 odors, and the mixture of sweet smelling trees became a point of 

 study. Open groves were of frequent occurrence and they seem 

 to have been the only sort of plantations of forest trees then in 

 use. These were clipped, while the method of planting was that 

 of the quincunx. 



At the decline of the Roman Empire, gardening came to a 

 standstill. Through the dark ages the peace and quiet of the 

 world were so disturbed by invasions and all kinds of barbarism, 

 that the more peaceful occupations were abandoned for those of 

 war. Many of the gardens were entirely destroyed, and the taste 

 for a quiet life became almost extinct. 



From the end of the eighth to the twelfth century, the monks 

 were the only class in Europe who occupied themselves in agri- 

 culture, and it is to them that we are indebted for the preservation 

 of the arts of culture. 



With the art of printing, about 1440, came the revival of 

 mental light, and the blessings of peace and commerce, and with 

 the revival of other arts came that of gardening. 



The great family of Medici, at Florence, were the principal 

 patrons, and the most celebrated gardens of the beginning of the 

 sixteenth century were those of Lorenzo di Medici. The style 

 was simply that of the past, with the usual alleys of clipped trees, 

 trimmed hedges, fountains, cascades, statues, and topiary work. 

 Such is the Italian style seen today, and one cannot help being 

 impressed by the complete harmony of the house with the grounds, 

 accomplished by the architectural treatment an€l decorations of 

 the steps, and by the building of terraces and balustrades. The 

 natural style of gardening has never made much progress in 

 Italy, as the Italian mind does not seem to enjoy the charms of a 



