DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49977#0225
SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
203
mightily curious of them) and eat it, and it was just as other
little green small oranges are—as big as half the end of my
little finger. Here were also a great variety of other exotique
plants, and several Labyrinths, and a pretty aviary.” He visited
this garden on a former occasion. May 8th, 1654, and says of
it:—££ One of the neatest and most celebrated in England,” but
either the oranges were not there then, or he did not see them.
Gardeners seem to have understood that a certain amount of
air was necessary for plant life, but I think they by no means
realized the power of light. Sharrock, writing on the subject,
comes to the conclusion that “the coldness and briskness of the
free air . . . produces verdure,” and to prove this, he takes for
example flowers shut in rooms, the leaves of which become paler,
and the ££ whiting the leaves of Artichokes, Endive, Mirrhis
Cichory, Alexander, and other plants, which is done by keeping
them warm without the approach or sentiment of the cool fresh
aire.” It is to be wondered how they got delicate plants to live
by sheltering them in dark places during the winter months.
££ Some defend their Mirtles, Pomegranates and such other
tender Plants, either by houses made of straw like Bee hives,
or of boards (with inlets for the sun by casements, or without
them) Litter of Horse Stables being laid in very cold weather
about the houses of defence.”
Le Notre was invited to England by Charles IL, and it
has generally been believed that he accepted the invitation,
and that St. James’s Park, as well as alterations at Hampton
Court and Whitehall, were made from his designs, and under
his direction. In 1661 a certain Adrian May was appointed
by Royal Warrant, “ supervisor of the French gardeners
employed at Whitehall, St. James, and Hampton Court, to
examine their bills, &c., and see that they have due
satisfaction.” This shows it is a fact that Frenchmen were
employed, if not the great Le Notre himself, Perrault, or
some of his pupils. Switzer in 1718 mentions Perrault’s
visits to England, but says nothing of the coming of Le
Notre. Jean de la Quintinye, who was the great French
gardener and fruit grower, as Le Notre was their chief
garden architect, certainly visited England, and gave hints
203
mightily curious of them) and eat it, and it was just as other
little green small oranges are—as big as half the end of my
little finger. Here were also a great variety of other exotique
plants, and several Labyrinths, and a pretty aviary.” He visited
this garden on a former occasion. May 8th, 1654, and says of
it:—££ One of the neatest and most celebrated in England,” but
either the oranges were not there then, or he did not see them.
Gardeners seem to have understood that a certain amount of
air was necessary for plant life, but I think they by no means
realized the power of light. Sharrock, writing on the subject,
comes to the conclusion that “the coldness and briskness of the
free air . . . produces verdure,” and to prove this, he takes for
example flowers shut in rooms, the leaves of which become paler,
and the ££ whiting the leaves of Artichokes, Endive, Mirrhis
Cichory, Alexander, and other plants, which is done by keeping
them warm without the approach or sentiment of the cool fresh
aire.” It is to be wondered how they got delicate plants to live
by sheltering them in dark places during the winter months.
££ Some defend their Mirtles, Pomegranates and such other
tender Plants, either by houses made of straw like Bee hives,
or of boards (with inlets for the sun by casements, or without
them) Litter of Horse Stables being laid in very cold weather
about the houses of defence.”
Le Notre was invited to England by Charles IL, and it
has generally been believed that he accepted the invitation,
and that St. James’s Park, as well as alterations at Hampton
Court and Whitehall, were made from his designs, and under
his direction. In 1661 a certain Adrian May was appointed
by Royal Warrant, “ supervisor of the French gardeners
employed at Whitehall, St. James, and Hampton Court, to
examine their bills, &c., and see that they have due
satisfaction.” This shows it is a fact that Frenchmen were
employed, if not the great Le Notre himself, Perrault, or
some of his pupils. Switzer in 1718 mentions Perrault’s
visits to England, but says nothing of the coming of Le
Notre. Jean de la Quintinye, who was the great French
gardener and fruit grower, as Le Notre was their chief
garden architect, certainly visited England, and gave hints