[Illustration:  FIG. 11.—­Maze at Theobalds, Hertfordshire.]

In the case of the maze at Theobalds, Hertfordshire, after you have found the entrance within the four enclosing hedges, the path is forced (Fig. 11).  As further illustrations of this class of maze, I give one taken from an Italian work on architecture by Serlio, published in 1537 (Fig. 12), and one by London and Wise, the designers of the Hampton Court maze, from their book, The Retired Gard’ner, published in 1706 (Fig. 13).  Also, I add a Dutch maze (Fig. 14).

[Illustration:  FIG. 12.—­Italian Maze of Sixteenth Century.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 13.—­By the Designers of Hampton Court Maze.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 14.—­A Dutch Maze.]

So far our mazes have been of historical interest, but they have presented no difficulty in threading.  After the Reformation period we find mazes converted into mediums for recreation, and they generally consisted of labyrinthine paths enclosed by thick and carefully trimmed hedges.  These topiary hedges were known to the Romans, with whom the topiarius was the ornamental gardener.  This type of maze has of late years degenerated into the seaside “Puzzle Gardens.  Teas, sixpence, including admission to the Maze.”  The Hampton Court Maze, sometimes called the “Wilderness,” at the royal palace, was designed, as I have said, by London and Wise for William III., who had a liking for such things (Fig. 15).  I have before me some three or four versions of it, all slightly different from one another; but the plan I select is taken from an old guide-book to the palace, and therefore ought to be trustworthy.  The meaning of the dotted lines, etc., will be explained later on.

[Illustration:  FIG. 15.—­Maze at Hampton Court Palace.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 16.—­Maze at Hatfield House, Herts.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 17.—­Maze formerly at South Kensington.]

[Illustration:  FIG. 18.—­A German Maze.]

The maze at Hatfield House (Fig. 16), the seat of the Marquis of Salisbury, like so many labyrinths, is not difficult on paper; but both this and the Hampton Court Maze may prove very puzzling to actually thread without knowing the plan.  One reason is that one is so apt to go down the same blind alleys over and over again, if one proceeds without method.  The maze planned by the desire of the Prince Consort for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gardens at South Kensington was allowed to go to ruin, and was then destroyed—­no great loss, for it was a feeble thing.  It will be seen that there were three entrances from the outside (Fig. 17), but the way to the centre is very easy to discover.  I include a German maze that is curious, but not difficult to thread on paper (Fig. 18).  The example of a labyrinth formerly existing at Pimperne, in Dorset, is in a class by itself (Fig. 19).  It was formed of small ridges about a foot high, and covered nearly an acre of ground; but it was, unfortunately, ploughed up in 1730.