Z The Theory Part L 



as Parterres^ Groves, and Grafs-Plots, fet off with Portico's^ 

 and Cabinets of Arbonr-work, Figures, Fountains,. Cafcades, 

 &c. I have negleded nothing for my Information in this 

 Point, I have read- a great many Latin^ Italian^ Fre?tch^ 

 and Spanijh Authors on the Subjeft of Gardening the 

 Reading of whom, tho' good in itfelf, has, however, been 

 Boiccau, of no great Service to me in this Cafe* Among the French^ 

 Moict, but two or three Authors that have fpoke of fine 



Gardens, and they have done no more than lightly touchM 

 upon them 5 befides that the Defigns they give at the End 

 of - their Books are of very mean Gufto, and fuch as ..are 

 La Quinti- now quite out of Ufe. Other Writers of Agriculture have 

 "lc Jardinier thought this Matter unworthy of their Pen : Some fpeak- 

 Francois. ing of the pruning of Fruit-Trees^ of the Culture of 

 LeT^rdln'-er Kitchen-Gardens ^ of Botanicks, and the Nature of Simples 

 SoHtaYre!"^^^ of Flower-Gardens, Orange-Trees, &c. Others of Tillage, 

 Lejardinier and Manuring of Ground ^ of the Duty of a good 

 j?deTour- Houflioldcr, Farmer, and Husbandman j of the Vineyard 

 nefort. and Vintage ; of Fiftiing and Hunting,- of Cookery, and 

 ReJrlffe"^^^ making all Sorts of Sweetmeats y in all which may be feem 

 Liebaut! the Difference between this Work and theirs. 

 X)eSerres. Tn^ great Love I always had for Agriculture aad Gar- 

 dening y the Abode I made at Paris and Verfailles^ whofe 

 Neighbouring Parts contain fo many Wonders of this 

 Nature j the Satisfaction I found in furveying allthofe Beau- 

 ties j and the Pains I have taken in planting feveral fine 

 Gardens j induced me to make proper Remarks from time 

 to time. Nature, that I have fo often confulted ; Proofs of 

 Soil^ long Experience," and the Converfation of the moft 

 Able in the Profelfioui may be allowed to have given me 

 fome Light in this Affair ; and the confiderable Miftakes 

 and unneccflary Expence I have obferv'd in many Gardens^ 

 join'd with the Ignorance of moft Gardeners, made me, 

 at length, rcfolve to conmiunicate my Obfervations to the 

 Publick. 



- I c A N N o T but admire, that among fo many as have written 

 of Fruit and Kitchen-Gardens, there ftiould be none hitherto^ 

 that have fpoken fully of Pleafure-Gardens, which, with- 

 LaQuin- ^^^^ Controveify, are the moft beautiful and moft noble of 

 tinye. all Others > notwithftanding what a late Author has faid; 



whov 



