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Book I. GARDENS OF ANTIQUITY.& aced the front of the palace; contained something less than four acres, surrounded by a hedge,(the first, as Harte rémarks, which we read of in history,) and interspersed with three or four sorts of fruit-trees, some beds of culinary vegetables, and some borders of flowers; it contained two fountains or wells, the one for the use of the garden, and the other for the palace.

12. The gardens of Laert

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es, described in the same work, appear to have been similar to the above in character and extent, use being more studied than beauty; and vicinity to the house or palace, for the immediate access of the queen or housewife, being a greater desideratum than extent, variety of products, or prolonged recreation.

13. The reality of the existence of these gardens is very doubtful. They are by many ranked with those of Adonis(Virg. Georg. il. 87.), Paradise, Hesperides(Virg. dn. iv. 484.), and Venus(dl Bey’s Travels, vol. i.), and considered with them as mere creations of the fancy. Sir W. Temple is of opinion that the principal gardens of Ionia may have had some resemblance to those described by Homer, as lying in the barren island of Phaacia; but that the particular instance stated as belonging to Alcinous is wholly poetical.(T'emple’s Works. Essay on Gardens.) Gouget rejects altogether the idea of Pheacia being an European isle, and considers the Pheeacians as a Greek colony in one of the islands of Asia.(Origine de Loixr,&c. tom. iii, 174.)

Secr. IV. Babylonian or Assyrian Gardens. B. C. 2000.

14. The gardens of Cyrus at Babylon(Plin. xix. 4.), or of the kings of Assyria, or, according to Bryant(Anal. of Ancient Mythology, vol. iii. p. 100.), of the chiefs of alled Semarim, were distinguished by their romantic situations, great

the ancient people c and products, and were reckoned in their days among the

extent, and diversity of uses wonders of the world.

15. The form of these gardens was square, and, according to Diodorus and Strabo, each side was four hundred feet in length, so that the area of the base was nearly four acres. They were made to rise with terraces constructed in a curious manner above one another, in the form of steps, somewhat like those of the Isola Bella in the Lago Maggiore in Italy, and supported by stone pillars to the height of more than three hundred feet, gradually diminishing upwards till the area of the superior surface, which was flat, was reduced considerably below that of the base.‘This building was constructed by vast stone beams placed on pillars of stone,(arches not being then invented,) which were again covered with reeds, cemented with bitumen, and next were laid a double row of bricks united by cement. Over these were laid plates of lead, which effectually prevented the moisture from penetrating downy vards. Above all was laid a coat of earth, of depth sufficient for plants to grow in it, and the trees here planted were of various kinds, and were ranged in rows on the side of the ascent, as well as on the top, so that at a distance it appeared as an immense pyramid covered with wood.‘The situation of this extraordinary effort was adjoining or upon the river Euphrates, from which water was supplied by machinery for the fountains and other sources for cooling the air and watering the garden.(Dr. Falconer’s Historical View of the Gardens of Antiquity,&e. p. 17.)

16. The prospect from these elevated gardens was grand and delightful. From the upper area was obtained a view not only of the whole city, and the windings of the Euphrates, which washed the base of the superstructure three hundred feet below;- but of the cul- tivated environs of the city and surrounding desert, extending as far as the eye could reach. The different terraces and groves contained fountains, parterres, seats and banquetting-rooms, and combined the minuté beauties of flowers and foliage, with masses of shade and extensive prospects;—the retirement of the grove in the midst of civic mirth and din;—and all the splendor and luxury of eastern magnificence in art, with the simple pleasures of verdant and beautiful nature.“ This surprising and la- borious experiment,” G. Mason observes,“ was a strain of complaisance in King Nebuchadnezzar to his Median queen, who could never be reconciled to the flat and naked appearance of the province of Babylon, but frequently regretted each rising hill and scattered forest she had formerly delighted in, with all the charms they had presented to her youthful imagination. The King, who thought nothing impossible for his power to execute, nothing to be unattempted for the gratification of his beloved consort, de- termined to raise woods and terraces even within the precincts of the city, equal to those by which her native country was diversified.”(Lssay on Design,&c. p- 9.)

17. An elevated situation seems in these countries to have been an essen quisite to a royal garden; probably because the air in such regions is more cool salubrious,— the security‘from hostile attack of any sort more certain,—and the prospect always sublime.‘ When Semiramis came to Chanon, a city of Media,’’ ob- serves Diodorus Siculus(lib. ii. cap. 13.},‘ she discovered on an elevated plain, a

rock of stupendous height, and of considerable extent. Here she formed another para- dise, exceeding large, enclosing a rock in the midst of it, on which she erected sumptuous buildings for pleasure, commanding a view both of the plantations and the encampment.”

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