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A HISTORY OF GARDEXING IN EXGLAXD. 



work, " opus topiarum," that is to say, quaintly cut trees and 

 shrubs. This art, although new in England, was of very ancient 

 origin, having been know^n to the Romans. But it is not until 

 this date that it is mentioned as being practised in England. 

 The new idea found great favour in this country, and much time 

 and trouble were expended in producing these monsters in 

 trees, and the taste remained in fashion for more than two 

 centuries. Leland, in his Itinerary, in the early years of the 



~^^iJW<TJ>.yfil*. — VftW ■■■■ 



THE MOUNT, ROCKINGHAM. 



sixteenth century, mentions a place where striking specimens 

 of the work might be seen ; " at Uskelle village, about a mile 

 from Tewton, is a goodly orchard with walks opere topiario ;" 

 and at " ^^'resehill Castle " he also describes an orchard with 

 " mounts opere topiario writhen about in degrees like turnings 

 of cokilshells to come to the top without payne." This leads 

 me to speak of yet another peculiarity which was much developed 

 about this time, the ''mount,"' like this one at Wressel Castle, 



