A TALK ON GARDENS. 107 



There is an enormous orangery adjoining the palace, built in 

 the face of the terrace. The collection of orange trees planted 

 in tubs is very great, and the expense is in proportion to the 

 number. The effect does not warrant the cost, for they are only 

 placed out of doors, on the terraces and around the grounds, for 

 about five months during the year. They never bloom, conse- 

 quently they are never seen with their golden fruit hanging upon 

 their branches. 



One of the most pleasing gardens is that of the Bosquet du 

 Roi, near the orangery. It is pleasing because the dreary, 

 decaying formality, so universal throughout the grounds, is here 

 wanting, and in its place we have a most restful piece of turf, 

 surrounded with handsome trees with a few neat flower beds 

 appropriately placed, a small sheet of water, and a few fine 

 foliaged plants scattered about. 



The colonnade, a grand example of architectural gardening, 

 consists of thirty-two marble columns, varying in color, forming 

 a circle. Beneath each arch is a marble basin supporting a jet 

 d'eau, while in the centre of the open space is a large statue of 

 the Rape of Proserpine. The whole is set off very well, as the 

 structure is placed amidst a thick grove of trees. 



The statues and fountains at Versailles are innumerable, the 

 most important of the latter being that of the basin of Neptune. 

 As it costs about two thousand dollars every time it plays, it is 

 very seldom one has the pleasure of seeing it in full effect. 



The gardens of Versailles do not belong to the present age, and 

 one feels that they are echoes of the past. To judge the gardens 

 from an artistic standpoint, we must look back and remember 

 they were built for the vain and flippant court, and were used as 

 an out-of-doors ballroom. Their elegance, formality, and pom- 

 pous display, were in harmony with their use, as shown by the 

 following short description of a fete given by Louis XIV : 



" The entertainment was continued for several succeeding days, 

 and supplied materials for an illuminated folio, officially published 

 soon afterwards by the court printer. All the gardens, through- 

 out their whole extent, were illuminated from sunset to sunrise by 

 lights emitted from transparent vases. The branches of the trees 

 were clipped so as to represent different orders of architecture, 

 and musicians in the garb of shepherds, were perched everywhere 

 among the boughs, playing sylvan pipes, flutes, and violins innum- 

 erable. Tables were loaded with the most sumptuous banquets. 



