io8 GARDENS : THEIR FORM AND DESIGN 



assimilate and reproduce. He had the traditions of his 

 father and grandfather to build upon (for they also were 

 gardeners), and, further, he combined with this practical 

 side strong artistic tastes, which had been developed 

 during his studies of painting under Vouet. He was 

 great enough, too, to know that he alone would not be 

 capable of laying out so stately and magnificent a garden 

 as Versailles, but that he must depute a certain number 

 of departments to others. He therefore chose La Quintinie 

 as director of the kitchen gardens, and to Le Brun he left 

 the selection of sculptors for the statues and figures. 



In all works connected with engineering and the 

 management of water gardens and fountains Le N6tre 

 was assisted by clever Italians, the Francini family. Counts 

 of Villepreux. We can understand his choice falling upon 

 Italians for this, because from earliest times we read of 

 the beautiful and original water gardens of Italy. Whether 

 it be Pliny's garden, where light dishes for his repast 

 floated upon the still surface of the waters and heavier 

 ones rested upon the banks ; or the water-staircase of 

 Pompeii ; or, again, the thunder of the great cascade at 

 Villa d'Este, as the Arno comes sweeping down the high 

 mountains to form it — one and all of these varying effects 

 were part of the life, the soul of Italy. It was natural 

 that this should be so, for the heat of the sun made men 

 long for refreshing shade, accompanied by the soothing 

 sound of water and its misty coolness. Then, too, the 

 villas being in mountainous situations for the sake of fresh 

 breezes, there were usually strong, boisterous torrents, 

 which could be utilized either as dashing waterfalls or, if 

 restrained, could be calmed to form still pools for reflection. 

 Much that had been long before known and practised in 

 the gardens of the Great Moghuls was adapted, with 

 possibly even more vivacity and imagination, by the 

 Italians. The Medes and the Persians used as a symbol 



