THE SOCIAL SIDE OF GARDENS 



fines of the earl's grounds, the cavalcade was met by a 

 train of sylvan spirits at whose head danced a shepherd, 

 singing a madrigal that vaunted Elizabeth under the 

 title of Diana, while the nymphs and dryads scattered 

 fresh flowers in her path. As the procession moved on, 

 fairy flutes blew from the woods on either side the 

 path, and finally Pan appeared with attendants in fan- 

 tastic costumes to represent animals and mythological 

 creatures, and offered to the royal guest the freedom of 

 his green domain. Later, amid the roses and mazes of 

 the garden an al fresco meal was served by beautiful 

 boys dressed as Greeks and wearing garlands. Where- 

 upon, it is related, a mischievous and fantastic spirit 

 took possession of queen and courtiers and ladies-in- 

 waiting. Elizabeth, "who loved a romp," gave free 

 rein to her fancy. There was a dance on the lawn that 

 savored of village merry-making, and not a grotto nor 

 a bower but hid a pair of lovers. 



In France during the period spanned by the reigns of 

 Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI the garden as a 

 background for court life touched its apogee. Exquisite 

 fetes were given toward whose perfection the king him- 

 self, as well as the foremost artists of the court were 

 eager to contribute. Designed on a magnificent scale, 

 the gardens in and near Paris, as well as others sur- 

 rounding the country chateaux of the haute noblesse, lent 

 themselves to the stately ceremony and almost incredible 

 luxury of the times. Even the so-called simplicity of 



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