124 Hints on Landscape Gardening 



to every one. Very soon people were impressed 

 by this steady perseverance ; when often hun- 

 dreds take their pleasure in the spacious park, I 

 must admit, for the credit of the public, that 

 any serious mischief is quite exceptional. 



My whole conduct in this has even obtained 

 the general approval of my former subjects,' in 

 spite of the hoards of pettifoggers and overseers 

 which have lately overrun our province, of 

 whom there are many who understand better 

 how to egg on peasants and landowners against 

 one another, emptying the pockets of both, than 

 to further harmony and culture, which is what 

 they forsooth proclaim as their aim. But since 

 then, the greatness of the evil itself, as well as 

 the true humanity of the higher magistrates, 

 have procured remedies, and in the highest man- 

 ner the graciousness of our Lord the King is 

 never to be sufficiently praised ; so I will hasten 

 from such repellent, and, God be thanked, partly 

 past, prose, and return to the innocent creations 

 of fancy. 



I take this opportunity of returning once more 

 to the first chapter of this work, where I spoke 

 of the main idea which guided me in the lay- 

 ing-out of this park. I must, however, recount 

 in detail what were the preliminary steps to be 

 taken. 

 i The region which was to serve me as a canvas 



' They are now called " Hintersassen " (vassals or copy-holders), 

 since subjects are now only held by the sovereign, and in France not 

 even by him. Assuredly the times are marching with seven-league 

 boots! 



