Parterre de Latone lies in advance of Parterre d’Eau, which two paterres (pits) the Allee du Tapis Vert (green carpet) and the Grand Canal, lie in a straight line and present a charming view nearly a mile and a quarter in length.  Bassin Latone is surrounded by a semi-circular terrace crowned with yew-trees and a range of statues and groups in marble. (It would require the space of a volume to describe all the fine statuary of this garden).  This fountain consists of five circular basins rising one above the other in the form of a pyramid, surmounted by a group of Latona with Apollo and Diana.  “The goddess implores the vengeance of Jupiter against the peasants of Libya, who refused her water, and the peasants, already metamorphosed, some half, and others entirely, into frogs and tortoises, are placed on the edge of the different tablets, and throw forth water upon Latona in every direction, thus forming liquid arches of the most beautiful effect.”  Walking down the green velvet lawn, we came to the Bassin d’Apollon.  Apollo, the God of Day, is emerging from the water in a chariot drawn by four horses, and surrounded by a throng of sea-monsters.  Several other fountains represent the seasons.  Spring is represented by Flora and Summer by Ceres.  Winter appears in a group representing Saturn surrounded by children; and Bacchus, reclining upon grapes and surrounded by infant satyrs, represents Autumn.  Near the Tapis Vert, in the midst of a dense grove, is a magnificent rotunda composed of 32 marble columns, united by arches and supporting a number of marble vases.  Under the arcades, are a circular range of fountains, “and in the middle is a fine group of the Rape of Proserpine.”

The largest and most splendid fountain in the park, is the Bassin de Neptune.  Upon its southern border stand 22 ornamental vases, each with a jet in the center.  Against the same side, are three colossal groups in lead.  The central one represents Neptune and Amphitrite seated in an immense shell and surrounded by tritons, nymphs and sea-monsters.  On the left is Oceanus resting upon a sea-unicorn, and on the right, Proteus, the son of Oceanus.  There are several other groups; and from the jets of these, amounting to some 55 or 60 in all, issues a deluge of water, when the gates are opened.  A quarter of an hour in advance of the appointed time, about 15,000 persons had assembled upon the circular terrace, facing this magnificent fountain, and were waiting with breathless anxiety to see old Neptune take his turn.  We had seen the wonders and beauties presented by the other fountains as they shot their silvery columns, and clouds of vapor high into the air, or spanned their pyramidal basins with innumerable liquid arches intersecting each other in every conceivable direction; but the grandest sight, it was said, was still in store for us.  All the other fountains had commenced their playing with humble spasms—­the columns rising higher by degrees, but old Neptune took every body by surprise.  Hundreds leaped and shouted for joy, when they saw that the southern heavens, which had been so clear and beautiful but a moment before, were suddenly whitened with clouds of vapor upon which the rays of the western sun produced a most charming effect.  A gentle breeze gave to each spouting jet, a misty tail, comet-like in appearance to the admiring spectators.