Chap. XIV.] THE GARDENS OF VERSAILLES. 201 



stony style, it is also a mistake. The highest effect is to be 

 obtained, not by carrying architectural features into the usually 

 small town or city garden, but, by securing an absolute contrast 

 between the garden-vegetation and its unavoidable formal sur- 

 roundings. This contrast should be secured in such cases, not 

 by aiming at the sham picturesque with rocks, cascades, and 

 undulations of the ground, which would be too obviously artificial 

 in such a case, but mainly by the simple majesty of trees and the 

 charm of level turf. Thus it has been affirmed that none but an 

 Italian garden would have suited South Kensington. Well, we 

 had an elaborate garden designed there, and skilfully designed in 

 its way. The plan was carried out with the greatest care; the 

 planting, etc., was done by experienced men, yet the result, as 

 everybody knows, was unsatisfactory in the highest degree. 

 There are many private gardens in European cities, of a more 

 limited extent and with more formal surroundings, which are 

 beautiful in the highest sense, and as devoid of the aspects that 

 offend many in such a garden as that of South Kensington, as if 

 they were in some happy valley far away from the city. 



Garden Statuary at Versailles. 



One feature of the Versailles gardens deserving special comment 

 is the statuary. Notwithstanding the wealth of art thus 

 bestowed, it is rare, indeed, that a good effect is seen. On the 

 contrary, the result is often spotty and objectionable, as in the 

 Pincio, at Eome, where there is quite a regiment of new busts ; 

 and at Caserta, where the clipped masses of shrubs have statues 

 laid against them at regular intervals. In the distance, that is 

 to say, in the landscape, such dotting about of statues and busts 

 is exceedingly offensive, because it prevents the vegetation from 

 expressing itself, so to speak. At a distance of a few hundred 

 yards or feet, the varied forms and hues of a variety of trees and 

 shrubs may be full of beauty, but a line of statues or busts and 

 pedestals ranged along its face, neutralises all good effect. Then, 

 again, in a real garden, there are, or there ought to be, many 

 living objects to invite the attention which a number of statues 

 or other artificial objects may distract. In the very multitude of 



