ENGLISH GARDENS OF i6th, 17TH AND i8th CENTURIES 221 



is probably the most perfect example remaining in England of a garden 

 designed under the Dutch influence, although curiously enough the designer 

 happened to be a Frenchman. It is a particularly valuable example, because 

 in all its main features the garden has been handed down to the present 

 day exactly as it was originally designed. The property belonged to Colonel 

 James Grahme, Keeper of the Privy Purse to James II, who, soon after 

 becoming possessed of the estate, called in the assistance of M. Beaumont, 

 a pupil of Le Notre who had previously worked at Hampton Court. The 

 garden was begun about the year 1700, and there is fortunately preserved 

 in the house a plan made in 1720, which shows that, with the exception of 



VIEW IN THE TOPIARY GARDEN, LEVENS HALL. 



a few alterations, every path and hedge remain as originally planned ; this 

 is probably a unique instance in England. 



Amongst the gardeners sent to France to study under Le Notre was 

 John Rose, reputed to be the best English gardener of his time. On his^ 

 return from Versailles he became chief gardener to Charles II, at the 

 royal gardens in St. James's Park. He had an extensive connection, and 

 laid out a number of gardens for the larger country houses. Another 

 who by his writings did much for gardens was John Evelyn, the author 

 of the well known Diary. Besides his great work on Forest Trees he 

 intended to write a book on garden design, but unfortunately never 



