258 
FLOWER GARDENS AND THEIR ORNAMENTS. 
country-seats, at the time they were so much in vogue. These country-seats were 
generally castellated^ and defended by moats or walls. The terraces within these 
boundaries were usually confined spaces, where there was just room to form a 
geometric flower-plat. The time arrived, however, when these defences were no 
longer necessary, and on their demolition the field of action of the gardener, 
together with his cramped taste, were expanded at once ; he stretched his dressed 
ground over the surrounding lawn, and associated it with the neighbouring woods. 
From this time the Italian topiary-work disappeared ; and an entirely new style 
was adopted, especially in this country. Wresting the forms and objects of nature 
into the patch-work of the sempstress, the scroll-work of the house decorator, or the 
precise resemblance of kaleidoscopic reflections, were condemned as bad taste ; and a 
more exact imitation of nature, as to irregular disposition, became the rage." 
In this revolution, perhaps, we have gone too far; because as ail gardens are 
artificial associations, it may as well be avowed at once, as endeavour to deceive our- 
selves and others by concealing our art merely by irregular dispositions. Geometric 
gardens are therefore, now-a-days, not regarded, as they were some years ago, with 
abhorrence ; but are considered as rather a desirable feature when introduced with 
judgment. 
Falling in with this change of taste, and thinking, as already observed, that they 
maybe made very interesting, when filled with a proper selection of flowering plants, 
we present the following isometrical view of the middle of a flower plat, which has 
the novelty of a trellis over the walks where they cross each other. Isometrical 
drawing has the double advantage of combining both plan and elevation in one view; 
and is particularly useful in illustrating garden scenery. In no other single view would 
the station and elevation of this trellis have been represented, as a glance at the 
plate will evince. The use of the trellis need hardly be adverted to ; it is intended 
for beautiful climbers, which should always have a conspicuous place in the flower- 
garden. The erection may be formed of either wood or iron ; the standards let into 
sockets of wood or stone, permanently fixed in the ground, though the standards and 
hoops may be moveable. 
No extension boundaries are traced in the plate ; but it may occupy either a cir- 
cular or rectangular spot, with a surrounding walk ; and the angles outside the cross 
walks, may be turf, dotted with roseries or single plants. 
Our artist has introduced here a very elegant Dolphin Fountain, which would 
be a highly ornamental object in such a pattern. On the propriety of introducing 
sculptured figures, or models of antique sculpture, into flower-gardens, we shall have 
something to say on another occasion ; especially as we have been supplied with a 
collection of beautiful drawings of Grecian, Etruscan, Oriental, and Grecian vases, 
&c., which we intend to present in a future number. 
The lower sketch on the plate, is another isometrical view of a parallelograramatic 
flower-garden laid out in circular plats, surrounded by walks with box edgings. 
The beds are planted with an irregular collection of flowers, or are grouped according 
to the taste or fancy of the manager. 
