The Park in Muskau 145 



roses leans against the tower under the upper bal- 

 cony. From this one has a view of the lake in a 

 new direction and in its greatest length, where 

 two bridges and a waterfall serve as an excellent 

 point de vue. From this point the walk continues 

 through the shrubbery for a time, after which 

 one comes to an ornamental plot with the letter 

 " S," an aviary, farther a flower parterre, imitat- 

 ing a bundle of colossal peacocks' feathers, then 

 a flower stand with hothouse plants, till the tun- 

 nel mentioned above (d) is reached. A fountain 

 here makes a spot which is always cool and re- 

 freshing in hot summer days, peaceful and soli- 

 tary, where one may, as the saying goes, give 

 audience to one's thoughts, or, in more prosaic 

 phrase, enjoy a siesta, to which a soft couch of 

 moss and never broken twilight invite one. 



I may be allowed to make a digression here 

 and take the opportunity to lay down some rules 

 for flower plantations and the like. 

 ^\ have unfortunately to contend with an un- 

 favorable climate in the Neisse Valley, and can 

 only rely on half-hardy shrubs with the help of 

 careful covering to prevent freezing, such as some 

 of the cytisus, calicanthus, cercis, amygdalus, 

 hibiscus, hydrangea, rhododendron, comptonia, 

 etc., while the still more delicate ones, like liq- 

 uidamber, magnolia, azalea, etc., and even the 

 Prunus lusitanica, so hardy in England, Pyrus 

 japonica, arbutus, viburnum, ilex varieties and 

 some of the andromedas, etc., must be protected 

 every winter in portable houses. I therefore give 



