EARLY HISTORY , 
trees closely clipped is apparent. From the mere clipping 
_of these subjects so as to keep them in harmony with the 
architecture, to the cutting of evergreens into fantastic 
shapes, is not a very wide transition, but whether the 
latter style was first adopted by the Grecian or the 
Roman gardeners does not appear. 
We do know, however, that the Romans practised 
Topiary freely and that they were also fine architects 
and builders. Even in the formation of sheltering 
groves of forest trees to provide welcome shade from 
the bright sunshine, the Romans adopted the formal 
quincunx method of disposing the trees. How much 
more, then, would they have been ready in that age of 
undeveloped taste in the design and planting of gardens 
to welcome a method of training and culture that enabled 
them not only to bring the garden up to the mansion 
without any resultant loss of architectural effect, but 
also permitted them to carry architecture into the garden 
and apply it in a more or less fantastic manner to the 
trees themselves. 
On the authority of Martial we learn that the art of 
Topiary was first introduced to the Romans by Cneus 
Matius. Matius was the friend of Julius Cesar and 
a particular favourite of Augustus, but whether he 
originated or borrowed the idea we know not. As 
a court favourite, however, he must have had ample 
opportunity for propagating this particular method 
of gardening, and doubtless then, as now, a fashion 
set at court was quickly followed by all who wished 
to be up-to-date. Good or bad, the taste spread, and 
even such a man of taste and letters as Pliny the 
Roman Consul considered it quite the proper thing 
to use Topiary work extensively in his famous Tuscan 
Villa. Ina letter written by Pliny the Younger to his 
friend Apollinaris (Ep. v. 6) is a fine description of 
this garden. Melmoth’s translation pictures the front 
