394) Gardening Tour in Germany. 



plants, except those that naturally require a chalky or sandy 

 soil. M. Funke, the garden director here, an excellent bo- 

 tanist and gardener (in whom the plants have a very excellent 

 father), told me that many of the plants would stand the open 

 air better if the soil were not so rich ; yet no pains have been 

 spared in other respects to inure some particular shrubs to the 

 open air. The collections of trees and shrubs, and of perennial 

 plants, are also very remarkable. I was quite delighted with 

 this place ; and, when I left it, I only thought of the agreeable 

 and instructive conversation of the prince, and the splendid 

 collection of succulent plants, till I at last found myself again 

 on the Rhine J when I sent back the carriage the prince was so 

 kind as to send me in, and I then continued my journey to 

 Dusseldorf. My first object in Dusseldorf was to call on M. 

 Weyhe, who laid out the public gardens there ; but, alas ! my 

 trouble was in vain, as I was informed he had lately set out on 

 a journey. The court pleasure-ground, which sustained a great 

 injury during the war, is now reestablished ; and, as it is beauti- 

 fully laid out, it forms a most delightful promenade for the 

 inhabitants of Dusseldorf The form of the paths and outlines 

 of the groups are very agreeable to the eye, and display much 

 taste, particularly where there are no flowers intermixed, as is 

 so often the case in similar pleasure-grounds, and which only 

 distorts nature. The groups are in masses, and would look 

 extremely well, if rows of trees did not intervene, which inter- 

 rupt the beautiful views of nature. 



There are a great many avenues of trees in the town, and 

 squares well laid out, which give an interest to the place. The 

 most remarkable avenues are those of the Friedrickstrasse, and 

 of the walk from the Bergerthor. 



There are no gardens of any consequence at Nimeguen. Bel- 

 vedere is newly.laid out, and the view from it is wonderfully fine; 

 extending from Arnheim and Densburg on the north, to Cleves 

 and Geldres on the south, and towards the east over half the 

 forests of Gelderland to those of Westphalia ; so that the spec- 

 tator has a prospect of four rivers, the Maes, the Waal, the 

 Rhine, and the Yssel. 



As my time only allowed me to spend one day at Rotterdam, 

 I unfortunately could not obtain any information respecting the 

 gardens there. However, I went to see the botanic garden, 

 which is in good order, and the flower-market which displayed 

 the most superb flowers; viz. several species and varieties of 

 rhododendrons, azaleas, tulips in pots, pinks, i?6sa damas- 

 cena, &c., which might be expected in such a place. The 

 town itself is exceedingly interesting ; and the industry of the 

 Dutchman is truly wonderful. Numerous canals intersect the 

 whole city, the banks of which are generally planted with rows 



