Although the scheme of the garden may, like many other projects, look better on paper, than in practice, it affords ample space for the display of much skill in artificial gardening.  St. Cloud and Versailles have their fountains, and why not St. James’s?  “Fountains, (that sprinkle or spout water, or convey water, as it never stays in the bowls or the cistern,)” says Lord Bacon, are a great beauty and refreshment; “but pools mar all, and make the garden unwholesome, and full of flies and frogs.”

    [1] This mound is said to resemble, in miniature, the scenery of
        Cumberland and Westmoreland.  Perhaps this is too courtly; but
        it is surprising what the union of nature and art may effect in
        this way.  Barrett, Cipriani, and Gilpin contrived to paint a room
        for Mr. Lock, at Norbury Park, so as to blend the scenery of
        Cumberland and Westmoreland, with the view from the windows, and
        to make it appear a continuation; and the effect was delightful,
        as thousands of delighted visiters have testified.

    [2] Some years since there was at Reigate, in Surrey, a successful
        attempt made in this style of laying out grounds, on the very
        site where the illustrious Lord Shaftesbury wrote his
        “Characteristics,” and probably the very background of the
        Gribelin frontispiece to the early edition of that invaluable
        work.  This spot came afterwards into the possession of a
        gentleman who laid it out and planted it in so many forms, as
        to comprise in miniature whatever can be supposed in the most
        noble seats; for in it were a mount, river, parterre, wilderness,
        and gardens, and a lawn containing four or five deer, terminated
        by a small wood; yet the whole extent of ground did not exceed
        four acres.  This occasioned it to be called all the world in
        an acre.  Something of this kind was also projected by John
        Evelyn, called Elysium Britannicum, the plan of which is to
        be found in his works; but he did not complete his scheme. 
        Gardening is one of the most interesting amusements of retirement,
        and without gardens, palaces are but “gross handyworks.” 
        Philosophers and Heroes have always been fondly attached to
        gardens, and their retreats must form an agreeable relief to
        the cumbrous cares of Royalty itself.

* * * * *

ST. JAMES’S PARK.

References to the Plan.

1.  Parade at the Horse Guards.

2.  Park planted as a garden, with shrubberies and paths.

3.  Ornamental Water, containing three islands, planted with shrubs.

4.  The new Terrace, fronting the Grand Mall.