ii6 BACON'S ESSAYS 



the garden should not be the whole breadth of the ground, 

 but to leave on either side ground enough for diversity of 

 side alleys ; unto which the two covert alleys of the green 

 may deliver you. But there must be no alleys with hedges 

 at either end of this great enclosure; not at the hither end, 

 for letting your prospect upon this fair hedge from the 

 green ; nor at the further end, for letting your prospect 

 from the hedge through the arches upon the heath. 



For the ordering of the ground within the great hedge, 

 I leave it to variety of device ; advising nevertheless that 

 whatsoever form you cast it into, first, it be not too busy, 

 or full of work. Wherein I, for my part, do not like 

 images cut out in juniper or other garden stuff; they be 

 for children. Little low hedges, round, like welts, with 

 some pretty pyramides, I like well; and in some places, 

 fair columns upon frames of carpenter's work. I would 

 also have the alleys spacious and fair. You may have 

 closer alleys upon the side grounds, but none in the main 

 garden. I wish also, in the very middle, a fair mount, 

 with three ascents, and alleys, enough for four to walk 

 abreast ; which I would have to be perfect circles, without 

 any bulwarks or embossments; and the whole mount to be 

 thirty foot high ; and some fine banqueting-house, with 

 some chimneys neatly cast, and without too much glass. 



For fountains, they are a great beauty and refreshment ; 

 but pools mar all, and make the garden unwholesome, and 

 full of flies and frogs. Fountains I intend to be of two 

 natures : the one that sprinkleth or spouteth water ; the 

 other a fair receipt of water, of some thirty or forty foot 

 square, but without fish, or slime, or mud. For the first, 

 the ornaments of images gilt, or of marble, which are in 

 use, do well : but the main matter is so to convey the 

 water, as it never stay, either in the bowls or in the cistern; 

 that the water be never by rest discoloured, green or red 

 or the like; or gather any mossiness or putrefaction. 

 Besides that, it is to be cleansed every day by the hand. 

 Also some steps up to it, and some fine pavement about it, 

 doth well. As for the other kind of fountain, which we 

 may call a bathing pool, it may admit much curiosity and 



