GHENT. 79 



are too much cramped or confined. The vines are plant- 

 ed on the outside of the house, and the young shoots 

 are trained upright to poles in the open air ; the shoots 

 of the preceding year being laid down and taken un- 

 der the glass to produce fruit. Here, as at the seat of 

 the Baron de Vroeylande, formerly mentioned, p. 62., the 

 vines thus treated are sickly and weak. Still in front of these 

 peach-houses or vineries, is a row of melon and cucumber 

 frames. The combined effect of the whole is rather sur- 

 prising than pleasing : we see, as it were, a sloping hill of 

 glass ; we wonder at the disregard of expence, and are for- 

 cibly reminded, that in the Netherlands there is no duty 

 on that article of manufacture. 



In the greenhouse an album is kept, in which visitants 

 are requested to enter their names, and we accordingly in- 

 scribed ours. Madame Vilain Quatorze herself soon after- 

 wards entered. Having inspected the book, she signified 

 her approbation of our visit, and courtesied to us as we pass- 

 ed. This lady is advanced in years ; but still enjoys, with 

 great relish, the beauties of vegetable nature. She super- 

 intends with zeal the cultivation of her extensive stores of 

 exotic plants, and shews all the keenness of youth in add- 

 ing any thing new or curious to her ample collection. She 

 has been peculiarly fortunate in a head-gardener. We 

 found Pierre Gothard ffor such was his name) quite a con- 

 trast to those whom we had hitherto met in this country. 

 He was well informed and curious ; anxious to communi- 

 cate information, and equally ready to learn from us. 

 The healthy state of the greenhouse and hot-house plants, 

 and the general neatness of the place, shewed that he un- 

 derstood his business as a gardener ; and it was pleasing to 

 hear him modestly ascribe the praise to his liberal mis- 

 tress. 



