370 DRESSED OR GEOMETRICAL GARDENS. Paet III. 



whether in a terrace garden or in any other geometrical 

 one made on a level spot, may be very similar in their 

 arrangement; and a design for the one may serve equally 

 for the other when of the same size. 



The geometrical garden is capable of great variety. I will 

 suppose one in a level spot, bounded by the usual stone 

 balustrade on a terrace wall and by the sunk fence. On the 

 inner side, close to the balustrade, is either a border for 

 flowers, or the terrace walk itself, raised, as before described, 

 by artificial means, and standing above the level of the plain 

 as well as of the space in which the geometrical beds are de- 

 signed. From the terrace walk a slope descends to the lower 

 walks round those beds, and each bed is separated from the 

 adjoining one by a smaller walk, gravelled like all the others; 

 and in the centre is a fountain, and other ornaments already 

 noticed. 



Each bed is edged with box, stone, or terra-cotta. These are 

 the best edgings ; but painted wood will answer the purpose, 

 though it is apt to be warped by the wet, and soon decays. 

 Terra-cotta is far better ; it has also the recommendation 

 of being less expensive than stone. If some object to box 

 because it harbours insects, this grievance is not beyond all 

 remedy, and the trouble it gives is compensated for by the 

 appearance of the box itself. Indeed a portion of the 

 dressed garden, with patterns laid out entirely in box, is by 

 no means unworthy of commendation, like that beautiful one 

 attached to the Kasr (or Al Casr) at Seville ; where (though 

 in its present condition it is said to be the work of a French- 

 man) I think we may trace some patterns taken from 

 Arabic sentences, entirely formed of dipt box. They have a 

 very pleasing effect ; and a valuable hint may be obtained 

 from this kind of evergreen design for winter beds. Each 

 main compartment is marked off by a higher and thicker 

 hedge, or barrier, of the same, or of some other evergreen 



