410 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



cuted by artists of the first eminence. All was now si- 

 lent and deserted around these extraordinary water-works : 

 the water was low, and Myriophyllum verticillatum was 

 seen floating about the pipes. But we were assured, and 

 can well believe, that the effect of the grands eaux, when 

 bursting into this basin, is astonishingly grand *. This 

 water is accumulated in a large reservoir called the chateau 

 <Teau : it is furnished from various sources ; by two rivu- 

 lets ; by several ponds for collecting rain-water ; by the 

 Aqueduc de Bouc ; and by the machine of Marly, which 

 raises water from the Seine. 



The parapet-walls of the parterres next to the palace, 

 are covered chiefly by rows, en palissade, of Judas-tree 

 (Cercis Siliquastrum). Many of the shoots of this season 

 were five feet long, giving proof of the fine summer enjoy- 

 ed here ; and they are evidently cut in, every year. The 

 Judas-tree, we may remark, produces its bunches of rose- 

 coloured flowers in April and May, when the leaves are on- 

 ly beginning to expand : in some places a few pods now ap- 

 peared. 



The facade of the chateau next to the garden is very 

 grand ; and the magnificent effect of the esplanade-terrace 

 immediately in front, surpassed even the high expectations 



• On a subsequent occasion (the Fete of St Louis, 26th August 1821), I 

 had an opportunity of witnessing the display of the grands eaux. The up- 

 per water-works began to play at five in the afternoon, and the lower ones 

 continued in action till about seven, the water descending to them in succes- 

 sion. The Bassin de Neptune, where more than sixty jets were playing at 

 once, had really a wonderful effect ; and the scene was heightened by the 

 many thousands of well-dressed persons, including vast numbers of English, 

 who crowded the sloping banks, to witness the exhibition. True to the cha- 

 racter of my country, I spoke of the expence : By proportioning the annual 

 expenee, and supposing the works to be put in action eight times in the year, 

 • ttod to me as probably averaging £200 per hour.— N. 



