538 Fountain& in Gardens. 



and are always disagreeable to our superiors in education 

 and rank of life. And, above all, let us endeavour to keep 

 pace with the improvements and fashions ot^ the day in all 

 things connected with our calling, else we are sure to be left 

 behind, and of course laid aside like an old tailor out of 

 fashion. Then there are botany, mensuration, book-keeping, 

 chemistry, geography, drawing, history, and all useful, yea, 

 more, indispensable ; for we must " weigh opinions," and 

 give reasons for all we do, nowadays. Not that we are 

 obliged to reply to every one's " Why?" which is now the 

 order of the day : but that is no good reason w^hy we should 

 not be capable of answering those who have a right to ask. 

 Time was when it was thought no person had a right to ask 

 another any thing of his business, because it was his property, 

 he had paid for it : some think so still, and are possessed of 

 some grand secrets that they would not reveal " for a world 

 of potatoes." Well, they should read (but they are too 

 knowing to do that) the Outlines of Hoi-ticulture and the 

 Botanic Annual^ which will convince them that others know 

 something too. When I get time, I shall send you some 

 hints on the utility of mensuration to gardeners ; but I am 

 afraid you will think the wind blows too keen from the 

 north. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



W. Taylor. 

 Thainston., Aberdeenshire, July, 1833. 



Art. V. On Fountains in Gardens ; luith a Design {Jig- 120.). 

 By W. Mason, Jun. Esq. 



Sir, 

 I AM truly happy to see, in your Magazine (p. 208.), that 

 the subject of those finishing ornaments of the gardenesque, 

 fountains, are brought forward for discussion. I have often 

 felt mortified, in my walks through our London squares, to 

 think that opulent English peers and merchants should so 

 often visit and admire foreign towns, and then return home 

 without attempting to rival the beauties they have wit- 

 nessed in them. What is the finish wanted in Grosvenor 

 Square but a magnificent fountain, that, by the power of 

 steam, should throw its lofty waters 60 ft. into the air ; and, 

 by the motion thus imparted to the atmosphere, the brilliant 

 glistening of its jet, and the composing murmur of its con- 

 tinuous fall, increase the fragrance of the mignonette and 

 other sweet-smelling plants, and, in various ways, add a most 

 desirable enjoyment to that magnificent area. A fountain 



