i 4 6 THE PRAISE OF GARDENS 



i st. There ought always to be a Descent from the house to the 

 garden not fewer than three steps. This elevation of the Building 

 will make it more dry and wholesome : Also, from the Head of 

 these steps there will be a prospect or view of a great part of 

 the Garden. 



In a fine Garden, the first thing that should present itself to 

 the sight, is a parterre, which should be next to the House, 

 whether in the front or on the sides, as well upon account of the 

 Opening it affords to the House, as for the Beauty with which it 

 constantly entertains the sight from all the windows on that side 

 of the House. 



As for the Parterres, they must be furnished with such works as 

 will improve and set them off; and they being low and flat, do 

 necessarily require something that is raised, as Groves and 

 Pallisades. . . . 



Groves make the chief of a garden, being great Ornaments to 

 all the rest of its Parts ; so that there cannot be too many of them 

 planted, if the Places designed for them don't take up those of 

 the Kitchen and Fruit-Garden, which are very necessary for a 

 House, and should always be placed near the Stabling. 



To accompany Parterres, it is useful to make choice of those 

 designs of Wood-work that are the finest; as Groves opened in 

 Compartiments, Quincunces, Verdant Halls, with Bowling-greens, 

 Arbour-work, and Fountains in the Middle. 



These small Groves, being placed near the House, are so much 

 the more agreeable, in that you have no need to go far to find 

 shades; and besides this, they communicate a coolness to the 

 Apartments, which is very agreeable in hot weather. 



It would also be very proper to plant some Groves of Ever- 

 greens, that may afford the pleasure of seeing a Wood always 

 verdant in Winter, when the other trees and plants are deprived 

 of their Ornaments ; and also to plant some squares of them to 

 be a diversity from the other Woods. 



It is also usual to adorn the Head of a Parterre with Basons, 

 Water-works : and beyond it, with a circular line of Pallisades or 

 Wood-work cut into a Goosefoot, leading into the great Walks, 



