BOX-TREE. 317 



expressing the name of the master or that of the artificer ; 

 again, little obelisks are seen intermingled with fruit-trees ; 

 and suddenly in the midst of this elegant regularity you 

 are surprised by a judicious blending of natural scenery, 

 encompassing a spot surrounded with dwarf plane-trees." 

 Fountains and marble basins, into which rushed clear 

 streams, that as quickly rushed forth again, with marble 

 seats and alcoves of exquisite workmanship, were dispersed 

 about the garden, shaded ofttirnes with planes and box- 

 trees ; and everywhere was heard the pleasant sound of mur- 

 muring rills, that watered different spots of verdure, and in 

 their progress refreshed the whole garden. 



And truly, till the present degenerate age, not only in 

 this country, but in foreign parts, was the box-tree highly 

 estimated. Even now in southern Europe members of 

 our family are cultivated in flower-pots, with as much 

 attention as you bestow on myrtles. Time was, according 

 to Evelyn, when " rare natural bowers, cabinets, and shady 

 walks in the box copses were much admired, and men 

 sought for them both wide and far/' 



