CHAPTER VI 



KNOTS, PARTERRES, GRASS-WORK, 

 MOUNTS, BOWLING-GREENS, THEATRES 



The ordinary modern flower-bed is ugly in form 

 and monotonous in colour, and it seems to be 

 thought necessary to border it with the ugly 

 lobelia, regardless of the colours of the flower- 

 bed itself. All the fancy has gone out of it, 

 and little or no attempt is made to lay out 

 the beds on any consecutive scheme. Contrast 

 this with the beds of the old gardens of New 

 College, now destroyed.^ In front of the 

 entrance gateway there was a broad path about 

 1 8 feet wide, with cross paths subdividing the 

 garden into four square plots. On the right- 

 hand plot as you entered was worked, probably 

 in rosemary, hyssop, or thyme, the arms of New 

 College and the motto ** manners makyth man " 

 and the date. In the next plot was a curious 

 device in flowers. On the left hand was planted 

 the royal arms and the date 1628 ; and the 



* Locans Oxonia Illustrate. 



