VERSAILLES. 413 



portion both of light and air can be admitted in mild wea- 

 ther. But the original design is objectionable; the place 

 being naturally and necessarily ill adapted to its purpose. 

 It has indeed no other recommendation but conveniency. 

 Even if the ceiling could be rendered water-tight, the plants 

 must suffer from the dampness and darkness of their ca- 

 verns. But we saw evidence on the floor that moisture 

 does percolate, and occasionally fall in drops from the roof, 

 loaded of course with lime. That this must be pernicious 

 appears self-evident. Considering these disadvantages, we 

 are inclined to give the gardener, who has charge of the 

 orangery, M. Le Normand, much credit for the healthy 

 state in which he contrives to maintain the trees. Some 

 fine situations, we may remark, for a detached and appro- 

 priate winter-orangery, might be found at no great distance. 

 But we would be inclined to remove the whole to one of 

 the lower compartments of the garden, where the plants 

 might ornament a lawn, and be set off, during summer, by 

 the foliage of surrounding forest-trees, instead of being im- 

 mediately contrasted with massive walls of masonry. We 

 can never forget the excellent effect produced at the Duke 

 of Aremberg's domain, at Enghien, by the summer orangery 

 being crowned with lofty groves. — (P, 323). 



Having already learned that the orange-flowers at the 

 Tuileries are farmed, the reader will not be surprised to 

 hear that this is likewise the case at Versailles. The trees 

 are let, in lots, to different people ; and about 3000 francs 

 (L. 125 Sterling) were in this way this year got for the 

 flowers : in more favourable seasons, we are informed, a 

 much larger sum is generally obtained. All the trees are 

 clipped into the usual round shape, not one being allowed 

 to assume its natural form ; although we think room 

 enough might be found in the vast winter-repository for 

 two or three exceptions. 



